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Effect of Ubiquinol on Serum Reproductive Hormones of Amenorrhic Patients

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Abstract

In neuroendocrine system the increase in oxidative status is produced by a glucocorticoid—dependent and transcriptional increase in pro-oxidative drive, with concurrent inhibition of the antioxidant defense system, ultimately leading to increased neuronal cell death. Functional hypothalamic disturbances and neuroendocirne aberrations have both short and long term consequences for reproductive health. Understandably, an impaired or diminished hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis leads to anovulation and hypoestrogenism. Anovulation is directly linked to the neurohormonal and hormonal background of Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. Impairment of pulsatile Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone secretion causes the impairment of pulsatile Lutenizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) secretion. The importance of oxidative stress in various pituitary disorders suggesting a possible clinical usefulness of antioxidant molecules like the lipophilic antioxidant Ubiquinol. Coenzyme Q10 or Ubiquinol is an essential part of the cell energy-producing system of mitochondria. However, it is also a powerful lipophilic antioxidant, protecting lipoproteins and cell membranes from autooxidation. Due to these unique actions Ubiquinol is used in clinical practice as an antioxidants for neurodegenerative diseases. So to identify the role of Ubiquinol on reproductive hormones FSH and LH, we have included 50 infertile patients of age group of 20–40, which are mostly amenorrhic. Out of 50 only 30 patients were in continuous follow up after supplementing them with 150 mg of Ubiquinol every day for 4 months. The hormonal levels were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay technique at follicular phase. The result suggests that FSH concentration is increased up to three times (from 3.10 ± 2.70 to 10.09 ± 6.93) but remains within the normal limit (P < 0.05). LH values were found doubled (P < 0.05) than its normal range (from 14.83 ± 10.48 to 27.85 ± 22.30). The Prolactin values were decreased while Progesterone values were high but not in the significant range (P > 0.05). The supplementation of 150 mg of Ubiquinol may reduce the oxidative stress in neuroendocrine system which further improves the function of diminished HPA axis. Hence increased level of FSH and LH may be due to reduced oxidative stress by Ubiquinol.

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Acknowledgments

The study was actively supported by Kaneka Corporation, Japan.

Funding

This study was not funded by any agency. But the Q10 samples were provided by Kaneka Corporation, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Lt. BRKM Govt. Medical College, Jagdalpur (C.G), Dimrapal, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, 494001, India

    A. S. Thakur & N. S. Dange

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Biology and Genetics, Polytechnique University of the Marche, Ancona, Italy

    G. P. Littaru

  3. Kaneka Corporation, Osaka, Japan

    I. Funahashi

  4. Lt. BRKM Govt. Medical College, Jagdalpur (C.G), Jagdalpur, India

    U. S. Painkara

  5. Department of Gynecology, Lt. BRKM Govt. Medical College, Jagdalpur (C.G), Jagdalpur, India

    P. Chauhan

Authors
  1. A. S. Thakur
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  2. G. P. Littaru
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  3. I. Funahashi
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  4. U. S. Painkara
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  5. N. S. Dange
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  6. P. Chauhan
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Correspondence to A. S. Thakur.

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Conflict of interest

A. S. Thakur, G. P. Littaru, I. Funahashi, U. S. Painkara, N. S. Dange, P. Chauhan declares that have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with ethical standards of the institution and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This study has been conducted on approval by the college ethical committee.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all the individual participants included in the study.

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Thakur, A.S., Littaru, G.P., Funahashi, I. et al. Effect of Ubiquinol on Serum Reproductive Hormones of Amenorrhic Patients. Ind J Clin Biochem 31, 342–348 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-015-0542-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-015-0542-9

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