Longevity Conferences 2023
January 19, 2023
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PQQ: ِAll-In-One Longevity Promoter
PQQ is reportedly associated with many health benefits, such as improved cellular function, immune enhancement, and neuroprotection.
Compound description
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a compound synthesized by many prokaryotes and can be found in varying amounts in almost all plant foods (1,2). Dietary sources known to be particularly rich in PQQ include fermented soybeans (natto), tea, green peppers, parsley, and kiwi fruit (2).
PQQ is reportedly associated with many health benefits, such as improved cellular function, immune enhancement, and neuroprotection (3). Not only this, but PQQ also contributes to an essential biological process called mitochondriogenesis, which is the generation of new mitochondria in aging cells (4). These health benefits are attributed to PQQ’s ability to promote mitochondrial function through scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preventing mitochondrial membrane disruption (4,5). Consequently, researchers place PQQ as a healthy longevity-promoting factor (2,4).
Properties
PQQ cytoprotective activity is linked to its antioxidant effects (1). This is because it reduces the ROS that cause mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cell apoptosis (4). For instance, PQQ can carry out catalytic conversions, defined as the ability to do oxidation-reduction reactions that reach up to 5000 times that of vitamin C (2).
PQQ's role in reducing oxidative stress has been observed to result in many other clinical benefits related to neuroprotection, nephroprotection, reproduction, growth, aging, and antimicrobial response (3,5). In addition, PQQ is also associated with improved cognitive functions such as memory, attention span, and decision-making (6). Regarding disease prevention, PQQ has also been found to attenuate critical biological dysfunctions such as ischemia, chronic inflammation, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, high blood cholesterol, and neurodegenerative conditions (2,4,5).
In a clinical study, participants exhibited a significant increase in antioxidant markers after only one dose of PQQ (0.2 mg PQQ/kg) (2). In another study, taking PQQ resulted in significant improvements in candidates’ cognitive function compared to those on placebo (6). In preclinical studies, rats given PQQ were protected against the toxicity of liver-destroying hepatotoxins, demonstrating PQQ’s potency as an antioxidant (7).
Use as a supplement
Based on its effects, PQQ can be considered a necessary nutritional factor for the human body (5). Studies report that the absence of PQQ from our diets can lead to growth impairment, immune defects, dysfunctional reproductive performance, and accelerated aging (2).
PQQ levels through dietary consumption fall within the range of 0.1−1.0 mg/day, which is reportedly lower than the levels required to enhance mitochondrial function (5). The recommended supplemented dose of PQQ is 10–20 mg per day. This is based on the equivalent dose in animal models, which resulted in positive outcomes (2). Although the duration that PQQ takes to impose a measurable effect is still debatable, clinical studies found that a PQQ dose of 20 mg/day for 8 weeks improved fatigue, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Whereas in 12 weeks, several cognitive functions were improved (5).
It is noteworthy that PQQ is not yet scientifically accepted as a vitamin. This is attributed to several reasons, including the unclear mechanisms behind its activity in the human body and whether it acts as a cofactor or not (5,8,9). Moreover, there is currently no evidence of PQQ’s biosynthesis inside the body itself (10). PQQ supplementation is, therefore, marketed as a vitamin-like substance (4). In this regard, more research is needed to unravel the detailed mechanisms behind the health benefits of PQQ.
In our Marketplace, PQQ supplementation is available as PQQ Caps by Life Extension. The product provides 30 vegetarian capsules, each containing 10 mg of PQQ.
Side effects
There are currently no known side effects of PQQ (2). Available data reports that PQQ is not associated with genotoxicity, meaning that it does not cause damage to the DNA. Moreover, no known drug interactions have been observed with PQQ so far (2).
References:
- Martins AM, Latham JA, Martel PJ, Barr I, Iavarone AT, Klinman JP. A two-component protease in Methylorubrum extorquens with high activity toward the peptide precursor of the redox cofactor pyrroloquinoline quinone. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2019 Oct 11;294(41):15025-36.
- Murray M. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ): the next essential nutrient and supplement superstar. International Journal on Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods and Novel Foods. 2018.
- Jonscher KR, Chowanadisai W, Rucker RB. Pyrroloquinoline-quinone is more than an antioxidant: a vitamin-like accessory factor important in health and disease prevention. Biomolecules. 2021 Sep 30;11(10):1441.
- Xu X, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Liang X, Zhang L, Zhao YF. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Protects SMA560 Astrocytes Against Thrombin-Induced Cell Death by Improving Mitochondrial Function. Natural Product Communications. 2022 Mar;17(3):1934578X221081367.
- Cordell GA, Daley SK. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Chemistry, Biology, and Biosynthesis. Chemical Research in Toxicology. 2022 Feb 15;35(3):355-77.
- Shiojima Y, Takahashi M, Takahashi R, Moriyama H, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Akanuma M. Effect of dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt on cognitive function in healthy volunteers: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2021 Aug 2:1-4.
- Paz MA, Flückiger R, Gallop PM. The biomedical significance of PQQ. In Principles and applications of quinoproteins 2020 Aug 26 (pp. 381-394). CRC Press.
- Akagawa M, Minematsu K, Shibata T, Kondo T, Ishii T, Uchida K. Identification of lactate dehydrogenase as a mammalian pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-binding protein. Scientific reports. 2016 May 27;6(1):1-9.
- Felton LM, Anthony C. Role of PQQ as a mammalian enzyme cofactor?. Nature. 2005 Feb;433(7025):E10-.
- Jonscher KR, Rucker RB. Pyrroloquinoline quinone: Its profile, effects on the liver and implications for health and disease prevention. Dietary Interventions in Liver Disease. 2019 Jan 1:157-73.
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Compound description
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a compound synthesized by many prokaryotes and can be found in varying amounts in almost all plant foods (1,2). Dietary sources known to be particularly rich in PQQ include fermented soybeans (natto), tea, green peppers, parsley, and kiwi fruit (2).
PQQ is reportedly associated with many health benefits, such as improved cellular function, immune enhancement, and neuroprotection (3). Not only this, but PQQ also contributes to an essential biological process called mitochondriogenesis, which is the generation of new mitochondria in aging cells (4). These health benefits are attributed to PQQ’s ability to promote mitochondrial function through scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preventing mitochondrial membrane disruption (4,5). Consequently, researchers place PQQ as a healthy longevity-promoting factor (2,4).
Properties
PQQ cytoprotective activity is linked to its antioxidant effects (1). This is because it reduces the ROS that cause mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cell apoptosis (4). For instance, PQQ can carry out catalytic conversions, defined as the ability to do oxidation-reduction reactions that reach up to 5000 times that of vitamin C (2).
PQQ's role in reducing oxidative stress has been observed to result in many other clinical benefits related to neuroprotection, nephroprotection, reproduction, growth, aging, and antimicrobial response (3,5). In addition, PQQ is also associated with improved cognitive functions such as memory, attention span, and decision-making (6). Regarding disease prevention, PQQ has also been found to attenuate critical biological dysfunctions such as ischemia, chronic inflammation, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, high blood cholesterol, and neurodegenerative conditions (2,4,5).
In a clinical study, participants exhibited a significant increase in antioxidant markers after only one dose of PQQ (0.2 mg PQQ/kg) (2). In another study, taking PQQ resulted in significant improvements in candidates’ cognitive function compared to those on placebo (6). In preclinical studies, rats given PQQ were protected against the toxicity of liver-destroying hepatotoxins, demonstrating PQQ’s potency as an antioxidant (7).
Use as a supplement
Based on its effects, PQQ can be considered a necessary nutritional factor for the human body (5). Studies report that the absence of PQQ from our diets can lead to growth impairment, immune defects, dysfunctional reproductive performance, and accelerated aging (2).
PQQ levels through dietary consumption fall within the range of 0.1−1.0 mg/day, which is reportedly lower than the levels required to enhance mitochondrial function (5). The recommended supplemented dose of PQQ is 10–20 mg per day. This is based on the equivalent dose in animal models, which resulted in positive outcomes (2). Although the duration that PQQ takes to impose a measurable effect is still debatable, clinical studies found that a PQQ dose of 20 mg/day for 8 weeks improved fatigue, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Whereas in 12 weeks, several cognitive functions were improved (5).
It is noteworthy that PQQ is not yet scientifically accepted as a vitamin. This is attributed to several reasons, including the unclear mechanisms behind its activity in the human body and whether it acts as a cofactor or not (5,8,9). Moreover, there is currently no evidence of PQQ’s biosynthesis inside the body itself (10). PQQ supplementation is, therefore, marketed as a vitamin-like substance (4). In this regard, more research is needed to unravel the detailed mechanisms behind the health benefits of PQQ.
In our Marketplace, PQQ supplementation is available as PQQ Caps by Life Extension. The product provides 30 vegetarian capsules, each containing 10 mg of PQQ.
Side effects
There are currently no known side effects of PQQ (2). Available data reports that PQQ is not associated with genotoxicity, meaning that it does not cause damage to the DNA. Moreover, no known drug interactions have been observed with PQQ so far (2).
References:
- Martins AM, Latham JA, Martel PJ, Barr I, Iavarone AT, Klinman JP. A two-component protease in Methylorubrum extorquens with high activity toward the peptide precursor of the redox cofactor pyrroloquinoline quinone. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2019 Oct 11;294(41):15025-36.
- Murray M. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ): the next essential nutrient and supplement superstar. International Journal on Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods and Novel Foods. 2018.
- Jonscher KR, Chowanadisai W, Rucker RB. Pyrroloquinoline-quinone is more than an antioxidant: a vitamin-like accessory factor important in health and disease prevention. Biomolecules. 2021 Sep 30;11(10):1441.
- Xu X, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Liang X, Zhang L, Zhao YF. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Protects SMA560 Astrocytes Against Thrombin-Induced Cell Death by Improving Mitochondrial Function. Natural Product Communications. 2022 Mar;17(3):1934578X221081367.
- Cordell GA, Daley SK. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Chemistry, Biology, and Biosynthesis. Chemical Research in Toxicology. 2022 Feb 15;35(3):355-77.
- Shiojima Y, Takahashi M, Takahashi R, Moriyama H, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Akanuma M. Effect of dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt on cognitive function in healthy volunteers: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2021 Aug 2:1-4.
- Paz MA, Flückiger R, Gallop PM. The biomedical significance of PQQ. In Principles and applications of quinoproteins 2020 Aug 26 (pp. 381-394). CRC Press.
- Akagawa M, Minematsu K, Shibata T, Kondo T, Ishii T, Uchida K. Identification of lactate dehydrogenase as a mammalian pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-binding protein. Scientific reports. 2016 May 27;6(1):1-9.
- Felton LM, Anthony C. Role of PQQ as a mammalian enzyme cofactor?. Nature. 2005 Feb;433(7025):E10-.
- Jonscher KR, Rucker RB. Pyrroloquinoline quinone: Its profile, effects on the liver and implications for health and disease prevention. Dietary Interventions in Liver Disease. 2019 Jan 1:157-73.
Article reviewed by
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Dr. Ana Baroni MD. Ph.D.
Scientific & Medical Advisor
Quality Garant
Ana has over 20 years of consultancy experience in longevity, regenerative and precision medicine. She has a multifaceted understanding of genomics, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, nutrition, aging markers, hormones and physical training. This background allows her to bridge the gap between longevity basic sciences and evidence-based real interventions, putting them into the clinic, to enhance the healthy aging of people. She is co-founder of Origen.life, and Longevityzone. Board member at Breath of Health, BioOx and American Board of Clinical Nutrition. She is Director of International Medical Education of the American College of Integrative Medicine, Professor in IL3 Master of Longevity at Barcelona University and Professor of Nutrigenomics in Nutrition Grade in UNIR University.
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