@article{Zhang2026, 
author = {Xinsheng Zhang and Tingting Miao and Yong zhang and Shuting Tan and Qing Xu and Li Yang and Jingting Chen and Chenyang Ai and Feng Su and Lu Liu and Zhimeng Yu and Liya Li and Xueyong Wang and Yinghua Liu},
title = {Synergistic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Coenzyme Q10 on Gut Microbiota-Mediated Lipid Metabolism in Borderline Dyslipidemia: A Single-center Randomized Open Labeled Controlled Clinical Trial},
year = {2026},
journal = {Food Science and Human Wellness},
keywords = {Borderline dyslipidemia, α-linolenic acid, Coenzyme Q10, Gut microbiota, Lipoprotein subfractions},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/FSHW.2026.9250976},
doi = {10.26599/FSHW.2026.9250976},
abstract = {Background: Borderline dyslipidemia is a prevalent cardiovascular risk factor for which pharmacological intervention is not always indicated. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)  have been reported to influence lipid metabolism and oxidative status; however, their combined effects in individuals with borderline dyslipidemia remain unclear. Objective: This study aimed to explore the associations of combined supplementation with α-linolenic acid (ALA) and CoQ10 with lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, and serum metabolites in patients with borderline dyslipidemia. Methods: In a 12-week, single-center randomized, open-label controlled trial, 90 participants with borderline dyslipidemia were assigned to receive either ALA (1.6 g/d) plus CoQ10 (136 mg/d) or standard dietary and exercise guidance alone. Primary outcomes included changes in serum lipids, lipoprotein subfractions (by NMR spectroscopy), gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing), and serum metabolomic profiles. Results:  Eighty-two participants completed the trial. Compared with the control group, the Omega-3_Q10 group showed significantly different change-from-baseline values in multiple lipid parameters, with mixed directions of change. Exploratory analyses identified concurrent changes in selected lipoprotein subfractions, gut microbiota composition, bile acid-related metabolites, and antioxidant markers. Conclusions:  Combined supplementation with ALA and CoQ10 was associated with short-term changes in lipid-related and metabolic markers in individuals with borderline dyslipidemia. Given the exploratory nature of the analyses, short intervention duration, and absence of clinical cardiovascular endpoints, the long-term clinical implications of these findings remain uncertain and warrant confirmation in larger, prospective studies with defined clinical outcomes.}
}