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Updated: May 30, 2026

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
Plasma coenzyme Q10 is increased during gestational diabetes
Stefano Raffaele Giannubilo1, Luca Tiano, Stefano Cecchi
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. s.giannubilo@univpm.it
Objectives:
To determine plasma CoQ(10) concentration in the course of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Study Design:
The assessment was provided longitudinally during the third trimester of pregnancy in 40 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 40 normal controls. CoQ(10) was measured with the HPLC method. CoQ(10) results were also normalized to plasma cholesterol concentration (nmoles/mmoles). Plasma samples were collected longitudinally throughout the third trimester.
Results:
No statistically significant difference of plasma CoQ(10)/cholesterol levels between GDM patients and controls at 28-32 and 32-36 weeks of gestation, this difference was significant in late pregnancy (36-40 weeks), similarly, in the same gestational period, there was an increased level of HOMA-IR as index of insulin resistance ORAC as index of oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
Since coenzyme Q(10) is believed to be an important cellular antioxidant defence, higher levels of CoQ(10) in GDM patients may be a compensatory mechanism, in response to an activated oxidative stress, probably associated to hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance.
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