Effect of short-term Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on plasma lactate and serum total creatine kinase in healthy collegiate men after an aerobic exercise

The aim of this study was to determin the effect of short-term Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on plasma lactate and serum total creatine kinase (CK) in healthy collegiate men after an aerobic exercise.

Eighteen healthy untrained men (age 24±3 years, body fat 12±2%, and VO2max 39±3 ml/kg/min) in a randomized and double-blind design were allocated in two equal groups: supplement group (n=9, Coenzyme Q10: 2.5 mg/kg/day) and placebo group (n=9, Dextrose: 2.5 mg/kg/day). After supplementation period, all subjects were participated in aerobic exercise protocol with 75% VO2max on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Blood samples obtained before the Q10 supplementation along with immediately before and after the exercise protocol, respectively. Plasma lactate and serum total creatine kinase were determined by automatic analyzers. Data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA, Bonferroni and independent t test at P≤0.05.

The results show that short-term Coenzyme Q10 supplementation has no significant effect on basal parameters. However, plasma lactate and serum total CK were significantly increased (P<0.05) after the aerobic exercise. Nevertheless, the change range of lactate, CK after exercise in supplement group was less than in placebo group (P<0.05).

Based on the results, it can be concluded that short-term (14 days) Coenzyme Q10 supplementation can reduce aerobic exercise-induced lactate and creatine kinase elevations (Fatigue and cellular damage indices) in untrained males.