Blood pressure lowering efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for primary hypertension

Ho MJ, Li ECK, Wright JM

Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Vol. 3 (3), pp. CD007435

Methodology

Cochrane systematic review (2016 update) of double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel or crossover trials of coenzyme Q10 lasting at least 3 weeks in adults with primary hypertension; databases searched to November 2015.

Key Findings

Three trials were included, but one was judged at unacceptably high risk of bias, so two trials (50 participants) were pooled. CoQ10 did not significantly change clinic systolic blood pressure (-3.68 mmHg, 95% CI -8.86 to 1.49) or diastolic blood pressure (-2.03 mmHg, 95% CI -4.86 to 0.81).

Conclusions

Moderate-quality evidence that coenzyme Q10 does not have a clinically significant effect on blood pressure; more well-conducted trials are needed.

Limitations

Very few eligible trials and only 50 pooled participants; restricted to primary hypertension, so trials in diabetes or metabolic syndrome were not included.