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Water-soluble coenzyme Q10 formulation in presbycusis: long-term effects
Luca Guastini1, Renzo Mora, Massimo Dellepiane
1ENT Department, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|December 18, 2010
Summary
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation improved hearing thresholds in individuals with age-related hearing loss (presbycusis). Further research is recommended to confirm these findings and explore long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, affects a significant portion of the aging population.
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant with potential neuroprotective properties.
- A water-soluble formulation of CoQ10 (Q-TER) was investigated for its efficacy in presbycusis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of a water-soluble CoQ10 formulation (Q-TER) in patients with presbycusis.
- To assess the impact of CoQ10 on hearing function over time.
- To compare the effects of CoQ10 with vitamin E and placebo.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients with presbycusis.
- Participants were divided into three groups receiving Q-TER, vitamin E, or placebo for 30 days.
- Hearing assessments included pure tone audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem response, and speech audiometry, conducted before, during, and 6 months after treatment.
Main Results:
- CoQ10 (Q-TER) group showed significant improvement in pure tone audiometry thresholds at multiple frequencies (1000-8000 Hz) compared to the vitamin E group.
- Improvements in hearing were corroborated by speech audiometry results.
- No significant differences were observed in the placebo group or for other measured parameters.
Conclusions:
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation demonstrates a positive effect on hearing function in individuals with presbycusis.
- The findings support further investigation into CoQ10's role in preventing or mitigating age-related hearing loss.
- Larger clinical trials are encouraged to confirm the duration of CoQ10's effects and its preventative potential.
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