Everything You Need to Know About PQQ: The Rising Star of Nutritional Science

Tags: PQQ, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone | Author: Shanghai Cell Therapy Engineering Technology Research Center | Updated: February 2024

Nutritional Science Frontier

Pyrroloquinoline quinone, commonly known as PQQ, has gained significant attention as a rising star in the world of nutrition. This compound, similar in function to vitamins, is widely found in nature, occurring in fermented soy (natto), green peppers, kiwifruit, parsley, tea, papaya, spinach, celery, and even breast milk.

In recent years, PQQ has emerged as a key nutrient in health discussions. In 2022 and 2023, China approved both synthetic and fermentation-derived PQQ as new food ingredients, further solidifying its role in dietary supplements.

Key Biological Functions of PQQ

PQQ’s benefits can be summed up in two major areas: mitochondrial support and antioxidant power. It promotes the growth of mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of our cells, enabling faster cellular growth and regeneration. Additionally, PQQ’s antioxidant properties help neutralize harmful free radicals, reducing cell damage. These functions make it valuable for brain health, cardiovascular health, and metabolic wellness. Since the human body cannot produce PQQ, it must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

2023: Key Research Developments on PQQ

1. PQQ and Cognitive Health

One of the most notable studies on PQQ in 2023 focused on its impact on cognitive function. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Japan, published in Food & Function, examined the effects of PQQ on cognitive performance in both younger and older adults. The study included 62 participants, aged 20-65, who took either PQQ supplements (20 mg/day) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Cognitive assessments at 0, 8, and 12 weeks showed significant improvements in memory and verbal recall for all participants, especially the elderly, and faster cognitive flexibility and processing speed for younger participants.

This study demonstrated that PQQ not only enhances brain function in the elderly but also boosts cognitive response times in younger adults, proving its potential to benefit people of all ages.

2. PQQ as a Mitochondrial Activator

In May 2023, a study published in Cell Death & Disease explored PQQ’s ability to restore mitochondrial health in obese subjects. This research highlighted how PQQ can mitigate the mitochondrial autophagy impairment seen in obesity, restoring healthy mitochondrial function. The study underscored PQQ's potential as a therapeutic agent for metabolic disorders linked to mitochondrial damage.

3. Metabolic Benefits of PQQ

Another significant study, published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, reviewed five animal studies and two cell-based studies on PQQ’s role in reducing fat accumulation and slowing obesity progression. By improving mitochondrial function and inhibiting fat production, PQQ was shown to reduce fat build-up, especially in the liver and visceral areas, suggesting its potential to combat diet-induced obesity.

4. PQQ and Bone Health

In September 2023, Aging Cell published research indicating that PQQ could help prevent osteoporosis linked to natural aging. The study found that dietary supplementation with PQQ activated antioxidant pathways, promoting bone formation while reducing oxidative stress and bone resorption, offering a promising approach to preventing age-related bone loss.

5. PQQ for Eye Health

A study published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications in September 2023 showed that PQQ can protect retinal ganglion cells, making it a potential neuroprotective agent for eye health. This groundbreaking research highlighted PQQ’s ability to support vision and protect against retinal cell apoptosis.

6. PQQ and Thyroid Function

Research from Tongji University, published in Polish Journal of Microbiology in December 2023, demonstrated PQQ's ability to regulate gut microbiota and improve thyroid function in a mouse model of Graves' disease. The study found that PQQ supplementation reduced thyroid inflammation and oxidative stress while restoring healthy gut microbiota diversity, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic option for thyroid disorders.

Other Noteworthy Studies

• PQQ and Pulmonary Hypertension (2022): A study published in Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics revealed PQQ’s ability to improve mitochondrial function in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, slowing the progression of pulmonary hypertension in rats.
• PQQ and Cellular Aging (2020): Research from Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology demonstrated that PQQ delays cell aging by targeting multiple signaling pathways, suggesting its potential for longevity and healthy aging.
• PQQ and Ovarian Health (2022): A study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology showed that PQQ supplementation can prevent ovarian dysfunction caused by alkylating agents, preserving fertility in mice.

Conclusion

As a novel dietary supplement, PQQ’s positive impact on health is becoming increasingly recognized. Its wide-ranging benefits—from improving brain and heart health to fighting obesity and supporting eye and thyroid function—are supported by strong research. Given its safety and stability, PQQ holds great promise in the functional food industry, with potential applications for people of all ages.

With growing awareness among consumers and researchers alike, PQQ’s future as a dietary supplement looks bright, particularly in markets like the U.S. and Europe, where it is already widely used.

References:

1. TAMAKOSHI M, SUZUKI T, NISHIHARA E, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt improves brain function in both younger and older adults [J]. Food & Function, 2023, 14(5): 2496-501. doi: 10.1039/d2fo01515c.
2. Masanori Tamakoshi, Tomomi Suzuki, Eiichiro Nishihara, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt improves brain function in both younger and older adults. Randomized Controlled Trial Food Funct. 2023 Mar 6;14(5):2496-2501. PMID: 36807425.
3. Shakti Sagar, Md Imam Faizan, Nisha Chaudhary, et al. Obesity impairs cardiolipin-dependent mitophagy and therapeutic intercellular mitochondrial transfer ability of mesenchymal stem cells. Cell Death Dis. 2023 May 13;14(5):324. doi: 10.1038/s41419-023-05810-3. PMID: 37173333.
4. Nur Syafiqah Mohamad Ishak, Kazuto Ikemoto. Pyrroloquinoline-quinone to reduce fat accumulation and ameliorate obesity progression. Front Mol Biosci. 2023 May 5:10:1200025. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1200025. PMID: 37214340.
5. Jie Li, Jing Zhang, Qi Xue, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone alleviates natural aging-related osteoporosis via a novel MCM3-Keap1-Nrf2 axis-mediated stress response and Fbn1 upregulation. Aging Cell. 2023 Sep;22(9):e13912. doi: 10.1111/acel.13912. Epub 2023 Jun 26. PMID: 37365714.
6. Alessio Canovai, James R Tribble, Melissa Jöe, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone drives ATP synthesis in vitro and in vivo and provides retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2023 Sep 8;11(1):146. doi: 10.1186/s40478-023-01642-6. PMID: 37684640.
7. Xiaoyan Liu, Wen Jiang, Ganghua Lu, et al. The Potential Role of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone to Regulate Thyroid Function and Gut Microbiota Composition of Graves' Disease in Mice. Pol J Microbiol. 2023 Dec 16;72(4):443-460. doi: 10.33073/pjm-2023-042. eCollection 2023 Dec 1. PMID: 38095308.
8. Shafiq, Mohammad et al. “Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) improves pulmonary hypertension by regulating mitochondrial and metabolic functions.” Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics vol. 76 (2022): 102156. doi:10.1016/j.pupt.2022.102156.
9. Ying Gao, Teru Kamogashira, Chisato Fujimoto, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone delays inflammaging induced by TNF-α through the p16/p21 and Jagged1 signalling pathways. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2020 Jan;47(1):102-110. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.13176. PMID: 31520547.
10. Dai, Xiuliang et al. “PQQ Dietary Supplementation Prevents Alkylating Agent-Induced Ovarian Dysfunction in Mice.” Frontiers in endocrinology vol. 13 781404. 7 Mar. 2022, doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.781404.