---
title: "Ubiquinol in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a…"
description: "Oral ubiquinol can increase CoQ10 levels in septic patients, but this pilot study did not show improvements in mitochondrial function or clinical outcomes."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d26130237.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d26130237.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d26130237.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d26130237"
journal: "Crit Care"
year: 2015
pmid: "26130237"
doi: "10.1186/s13054-015-0989-3"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Ubiquinol in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Crit Care |
| Year | 2015 |
| PMID | [26130237](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26130237/) |
| DOI | [10.1186/s13054-015-0989-3](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-015-0989-3) |
| Study key | d26130237 |

## Takeaway

Oral ubiquinol can increase CoQ10 levels in septic patients, but this pilot study did not show improvements in mitochondrial function or clinical outcomes.

## The question

Can exogenous ubiquinol increase plasma CoQ10 levels and improve mitochondrial function in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock?

## Hypothesis

The provision of exogenous ubiquinol will increase plasma CoQ10 levels and improve mitochondrial function in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, given previous findings of decreased CoQ10 in septic shock.

## Methods

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial conducted at a single hospital. 38 adult patients (19 in each group) with severe sepsis or septic shock received either 200 mg enteral ubiquinol or placebo twice daily for up to seven days. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours to measure CoQ10 parameters (total, relative to cholesterol, oxidized, and reduced CoQ10) as the primary outcome, and secondary outcomes included vascular endothelial, inflammatory, and mitochondrial injury biomarkers, as well as clinical outcomes. Repeated measures models were used for group comparisons.

## Results

The ubiquinol group showed a significant increase in total CoQ10 levels, CoQ10 levels relative to cholesterol, and levels of oxidized and reduced CoQ10 compared to the placebo group. No differences were observed between the two groups for any of the secondary outcomes, including vascular endothelial biomarkers, inflammatory biomarkers, mitochondrial injury biomarkers, or clinical outcomes.

## Conclusion

Oral ubiquinol administration successfully increased plasma CoQ10 levels in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. However, this pilot trial did not demonstrate an improvement in mitochondrial function or clinical outcomes.

## Limitations

This was a pilot trial, and further research is needed to determine if ubiquinol administration can lead to improved clinical outcomes in this patient population.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> significant increase in total CoQ10 levels in the ubiquinol group compared to placebo

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ubiquinol (Reduced CoQ10) | Moderate evidence | [Ubiquinol (Reduced CoQ10)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/121.md) |

## Reference

1. **Ubiquinol in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial**
   Crit Care 2015 · [PMID 26130237](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26130237/) · [DOI 10.1186/s13054-015-0989-3](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-015-0989-3)

   > significant increase in total CoQ10 levels in the ubiquinol group compared to placebo

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Ubiquinol (Reduced CoQ10)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/121.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: electron-transport cofactor](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s121.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).