Plasma Coenzyme Q10 is increased during gestational diabetes mellitus late in pregnancy.

Objective The oxidative system has been reported to be impaired during Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) serves as an important antioxidant both in mitochondria and in lipid membranes. We investigated the levels of total CoQ10 longitudinally during pregnancy of women affected by GDM. Study Design Plasma samples were collected longitudinally during the third trimester of pregnancy in 40 women with GDM and 40 normoglycemic controls. CoQ10 was measured with HPLC. CoQ10 results were normalized to plasma cholesterol concentration (nmoles/mmoles). Results Plasma CoQ10/Cholesterol levels were significantly higher in GDM than in controls at 36-40 weeks′ gestation (237.6 ± 60.6 vs 183.2 ± 23.3 nmoles/mmoles), whilst no difference was found at 28-32 nor at 32-36 weeks of gestation. Conclusion Coenzyme Q10 is believed to be an important cellular antioxidant defence. The finding of high levels of CoQ10 in GDM pregnant women at term may be a compensation related to an enhanced CoQ10 biosynthesis in response to an activated oxidative stress.