Recent progress in studies on the health benefits of pyrroloquinoline quinone

Abstract

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), an aromatic tricyclic o-quinone, was identified initially as a redox cofactor for bacterial dehydrogenases. Although PQQ is not biosynthesized in mammals, trace amounts of PQQ have been found in human and rat tissues because of its wide distribution in dietary sources. Importantly, nutritional studies in rodents have revealed that PQQ deficiency exhibits diverse systemic responses, including growth impairment, immune dysfunction, and abnormal reproductive performance. Although PQQ is not currently classified as a vitamin, PQQ has been implicated as an important nutrient in mammals. In recent years, PQQ has been receiving much attention owing to its physiological importance and pharmacological effects. In this article, we review the potential health benefits of PQQ with a focus on its growth-promoting activity, anti-diabetic effect, anti-oxidative action, and neuroprotective function. Additionally, we provide an update of its basic pharmacokinetics and safety information in oral ingestion.

Lifespan extension by peroxidase and dual oxidase-mediated ROS signaling through pyrroloquinoline quinone in C. elegans

“…cardio-protection (Akagawa et al, 2015;Rucker et al, 2009). We showed here the unexpected efficacy of PQQ, in which lifespan can be extended by generating ROS at the plasma membrane.…”

“…Because PQQ regulates the activity of redox enzymes (Akagawa et al, 2015;Anthony and Zatman, 1967;Hauge, 1964;Rucker et al, 2009;Salisbury et al, 1979), we focused on BLI-3, a C. elegans ortholog of the mammalian dual oxidases, DUOX1 and DUOX2 (Brenner, 1974;Edens et al, 2001). PQQ did not extend the lifespans of three reduction-of-function bli-3 mutants, bli-3(im10), bli-3(e767) and bli-3(n529) ( Fig.…”

“…PQQ was shown to have anti-oxidative effects and stimulate various cellular signaling and defensive responses, such as neuro-and cardio-protection (Akagawa et al, 2015;Rucker et al, 2009). Classic studies revealed the importance of PQQ in nutrition.…”

The Effect of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) on Viability of Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma HT-29 Cell Line

“…For example: it has been reported that PQQ functions as a potent cofactor in certain bacterial dehydrogenases (Flores-Encarnación et al, 2004). In animal cells, PQQ is involved in different signal transduction processes during cell growth, development, differentiation and cellular survival (Akagawa et al, 2016;Feng et al, 2014;Kimura et al, 2012). It has been reported that PQQ is a potent antioxidant (50-100 times more effective than ascorbic acid) (Rucker et al, 2009).…”

“…It has been reported that PQQ is a potent antioxidant (50-100 times more effective than ascorbic acid) (Rucker et al, 2009). It has been also reported that PQQ can function as a protector in cardiac lesions, prevents liver injury by eliminating free radicals, stimulates astrocytes and inhibits the generation of melanocytes in melanoma (Akagawa et al, 2016;Feng et al, 2014;Jia et al, 2015;Murase et al, 1993;Sato and Toriyama, 2009;Tao et al, 2007). In animal models, it has been shown that when PQQ is added to the diet (300 μg/kg body weight), reproduction and neonatal rates in rats and mice were increased (Harris et al, 2013).…”