Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Impact of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) treatment on glycaemic control, insulin requirement and well-being in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
To investigate the effect of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) on glycaemic control and insulin requirement in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). ⋯ Q10 treatment does not improve glycaemic control, nor does it reduce insulin requirement, and it can therefore be taken by patients with Type 1 DM without any obvious risk of hypoglycaemia. No major beneficial or unfavourable effects on the investigated parameters could be demonstrated and no major changes in the sense of well-being occurred in the patients.
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Lactic acidosis is a well recognized complication of biguanide therapy which is potentially serious. Although the prevalence of metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is much lower than that associated with phenformin, it is still being reported sporadically which raises concerns for the practising clinicians. We review the currently available world-wide data of the prevalence of MALA, the risk factors for its development and the current practical guidelines on the use of metformin to minimize the risk of this potential hazard. ⋯ The low prevalence of MALA is comparable to the prevalence of sulphonylurea-induced hypoglycaemia. Metformin has many beneficial metabolic effects in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Provided that the recommended guidelines for metformin use are strictly adhered to, its widespread use would be safe and the incidence of MALA will be further reduced.