Oral Coenzyme Q10 supplementation leads to better preservation of kidney function in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome due to primary Coenzyme Q10 deficiency

Abstract

Primary Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ₁₀) deficiency is an ultra-rare disorder caused by defects in genes involved in CoQ₁₀ biosynthesis leading to multidrug-resistant nephrotic syndrome as the hallmark kidney manifestation. Promising early results have been reported anecdotally with oral CoQ₁₀ supplementation. However, the long-term efficacy and optimal prescription remain to be established. In a global effort, we collected and analyzed information from 116 patients who received CoQ₁₀ supplements for primary CoQ₁₀ deficiency due to biallelic pathogenic variants in either the COQ2, COQ6 or COQ8B genes. Median duration of follow up on treatment was two years. The effect of treatment on proteinuria was assessed, and kidney survival was analyzed in 41 patients younger than 18 years with chronic kidney disease stage 1-4 at the start of treatment compared with that of an untreated cohort matched by genotype, age, kidney function, and proteinuria. CoQ₁₀ supplementation was associated with a substantial and significant sustained reduction of proteinuria by 88% at 12 months. Complete remission of proteinuria was more frequently observed in COQ6 disease. CoQ₁₀ supplementation led to significantly better preservation of kidney function (5-year kidney failure-free survival 62% vs. 19%) with an improvement in general condition and neurological manifestations. Side effects of treatment were uncommon and mild. Thus, our findings indicate that all patients diagnosed with primary CoQ₁₀ deficiency should receive early and life-long CoQ₁₀ supplementation to decelerate the progression of kidney disease and prevent further damage to other organs.

Keywords: COQ2; COQ6; COQ8B; CoQ(10); CoQ(10) supplementation therapy; ESKD; coenzyme Q(10); coenzyme Q(10) deficiency; end-stage kidney disease; genetic kidney disease; hereditary; kidney survival; outcome; proteinuria reduction.