The Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Oxidative Status and Lipid Profile in Migraine Patients: A Randomized Double-Blinded Controlled Clinical Trial.

Migraine is a common neurological disease correlated with oxidative stress and lipid profile disorders. The present study was designed to determine the effects of Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) supplementation on oxidative status and lipid profile in migraine individuals. This clinical trial was conducted on 84 females aged 18-50 years, diagnosed for episodic migraine according to the International Headache Society. Subjects were randomized to receive either Co-Q10 supplement (400 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Lipid profile and oxidative stress indices including malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured before and after intervention in both groups. Also, anthropometric indices, dietary intakes, and clinical features were collected. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 16. Seventy-seven of the participants, with mean age of 33.70 ± 7.75 years, completed the study. After 12-week intervention, Co-Q10 led to a significant decrease in MDA levels compared to placebo (p = 0.009), with no effect on TAC levels (p = 0.106). A significant increase in serum Co-Q10 concentration and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level in Co-Q10 group was observed, but no significant differences were found in other lipid profile variables (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol). Among anthropometric variables, Co-Q10 only caused a significant reduction in body fat percentage (BFP), but we did not find any significant changes in others. A 12-week Co-Q10 supplementation led to significant improvement in clinical features, BFP, and HDL-C level among migraine individuals. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT201508265670N10.

Oral coenzyme Q10 supplementation in patients with migraine: Effects on clinical features and inflammatory markers.

Backgrounds and aims: Migraine and inflammation are correlated. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as an anti-inflammatory agent has shown useful effects in other diseases. The present study aimed to assess the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on inflammation and clinical features of migraine. Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 45 non-menopausal women aged 18-50 years, diagnosed for episodic migraine according to the International Headache Society. After one month run-in period, subjects received CoQ10 (400 mg/day CoQ10, n = 23) or placebo (wheat starch, n = 22) for three months. All the patients got prophylactic medication too. Serum CoQ10 concentration, Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Results: CoQ10 supplementation reduced CGRP and TNF-α significantly (p = 0.011 and p = 0.044, respectively), but there were no significant differences in serum IL-6 and IL-10 between the two groups. Significant increase in serum CoQ10 levels was evident with CoQ10 therapy (P < 0.001). A significant improvement was found in frequency (p = 0.018), severity (p = 0.001) and duration (p = 0.012) of migraine attacks in CoQ10 group compared to placebo. Conclusion: CoQ10 supplementation may decrease CGRP and TNF-α with no favorable effects on IL-6 and IL-10 in patients with migraine.

The role of nutrients in the pathogenesis and treatment of migraine headaches: Review.

OBJECTIVE: Migraine as a disabling neurovascular disease affects 6% of men and 18% of women worldwide. The deficiency of many nutrients including magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, cobalamin, coenzymes Q10, carnitine, α-lipoic acid and vitamin D is associated with migraine. Some researchers postulate that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired antioxidant status can cause migraine. Also increase in homocysteine level can lead to migraine attacks; therefore, some Nutraceuticals play a vital role in migraine prevention. Thus, the aim of the current study was to review randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the effect of nutritional supplements on migraine patients. METHODS: English articles in the following databases were searched: MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. In this manuscript, RCTs published during 1990-2017 were reviewed. RESULTS: Evidences indicate that supplementation with magnesium, carnitine, riboflavin, niacin, CoQ10, vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and alpha lipoic acid have prophylactic and therapeutic effects on migraine patients. CONCLUSION: Due to the possible side effects of pharmacological drugs and drug addictions, the use of nutrient compounds alone or in combination with routine cures have been proposed. However, further constructive studies are required.

Child-specific food insecurity and its sociodemographic and nutritional determinants among Iranian schoolchildren.

Despite strong evidence of the prevalence of food insecurity in adults and households with children in different areas of Iran, the prevalence of child-specific food insecurity in Iran and especially in Tabriz has not been evaluated. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to evaluate the prevalence of food insecurity in schoolchildren and to identify its social, demographic, and nutritional determinants in Tabriz, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and September 2014 among 330 schoolchildren aged 7-11 years comprising 170 boys and 160 girls from ten public schools in Tabriz, Iran. Demographic and socioeconomic factors had been obtained from participants. Food security status was assessed by an eight-item U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Security Module previously validated for use in Iran. Dietary information was obtained by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In our findings, the prevalence of food insecurity among children was 30% with 29.1% being low food secure and 0.9% being very low food secure. Mean weight for age Z-score (WAZ) in the food insecure group was significantly lower than in the food secure group. The prevalence of food insecurity was more prevalent in boys (p = .006). Food insecure children had a significantly lower intake of energy, carbohydrate, protein, and meat (p < .001) and higher prevalence of wasting compared with their counterparts in the food secure group (p = .004). These results suggest a proportionally high prevalence of food insecurity in schoolchildren in Tabriz and its significant association with poor nutritional status and dietary habits. Our findings also ensures the necessity of nutritional support programs and nutritional education in Iranian low-income families to improve their overall health.

Investigation of the effect of high dairy diet on body mass index and body fat in overweight and obese children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an increase in dairy food consumption improves the changes in BMI and adiposity in children on an energy restricted diet. METHODS: Overweight and obese children (n = 120, age: 12-18 y, BMI: 27-40 kg/m2) were randomized to receive a calorie restricted diet providing a 500 kcal/d deficit from total energy expenditure and two (n = 40), three (n = 40) or four (n = 40) servings of dairy products/day. Anthropometric measurements in addition to serum hs-CRP and lipid profile were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: Among the 96 children who completed the study, significant reductions in overall BMI, BMI z-score, weight, total body fat percentage and total body fat mass were observed (p < 0.001) but these reductions were not significantly affected by increasing dairy intake (p > 0.05). Overall waist/hip ratio, Serum vitamin D and lipid profile did not change significantly (p > 0.05) apart from a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) which was independent of dairy intake (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased intake of dairy products does not lead to an augmented change in BMI, weight and body fat in overweight and obese children beyond what is achieved by calorie restriction.