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Discovering the potential value of coenzyme q10 as an adjuvant treatment in patients with depression.
Depressive disorder, also known as mental cold, is the most prevalent mental health condition worldwide, affecting people across all countries and cultures. Multiple studies have suggested that antioxidant-rich compounds may offer benefits for individuals with depression. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a fat-soluble antioxidant, works by neutralizing free radicals, boosting tocopherol levels, and preventing mitochondrial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress. In this work by Majmasanaye et al. (2024), the authors investigated the impact of using oral Coenzyme Q10 as a depression adjunctive medication. A total of 69 patients with moderate to severe depression were randomly assigned to two groups: the Coenzyme Q10 group (36 participants) and the placebo group (33 participants). The Coenzyme Q10 group received 200 mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily for 8 weeks in addition to standard depression treatments, while the placebo group received standard treatments alongside a placebo. The authors used the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) to evaluate the severity of depression at two time points (4 and 8 weeks) after the intervention. Serum levels of total thiol groups, total antioxidant capacity, nitric oxide, interleukin 6, and malondialdehyde were also measured using blood samples obtained at baseline and the end of the trial. At the end of the study, the CoQ10 group showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms compared to baseline, while the placebo group experienced no significant symptom change. Blood tests revealed a notable decrease in nitric oxide levels and an increase in total thiol groups in the CoQ10 group compared to baseline and the placebo group. However, interleukin 6, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity showed no appreciable alterations. Daily supplementation of 200 mg CoQ10 for 8 weeks appears to reduce depression symptoms, alleviate fatigue, and enhance the overall quality of life in patients with depression. Additionally, CoQ10 supplementation significantly improved these patients’ oxidative stress and inflammation markers. [NPID: Depressive disorder, Coenzyme q10, antioxidant, oxidative stress, inflammation, fatigue, nitric oxide]
Year: 2024
