What effect does pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt have on the brain?

 

As people pay more and more attention to health and quality of life, many functional foods and nutritional supplements have gradually come into people's view. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone disodium salt (PQQ), as a substance with multiple physiological activities, has received widespread attention in recent years. It not only performs well in anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory and promoting cell metabolism, but also shows unique advantages in improving brain function.

Structure and characteristics of PQQ

Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt is a water-soluble red crystal with quinoline, pyridine and pyrrole rings in its chemical structure, which has unique redox properties. PQQ can be reduced to pyrroloquinoline quinone alcohol (PQQH₂) in the body. This reduced form has strong antioxidant capacity, can effectively scavenge free radicals, and protect cells from oxidative damage. In addition, PQQ can also produce trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide during the redox cycle, thereby inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), activating insulin receptors and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), thereby playing a role similar to growth factors and promoting cell growth and metabolism.

Effects of PQQ on Brain Function

In terms of cognitive function, several clinical studies have shown that PQQ has certain positive effects on people of different ages. For example, in a study of healthy adults aged 20 to 65 years, 20 mg of PQQ was supplemented daily. After 8 and 12 weeks of observation, it was found that the cognitive flexibility and execution speed of the younger group (20 to 40 years old) were significantly improved, while the complex memory and language memory ability of the older group (41 to 65 years old) were enhanced. This suggests that PQQ's improvement in brain function may be age-related, and the effect is more rapid in young people.

In addition, this effect is more significant when PQQ is used in combination with Coenzyme Q10. In another study, subjects supplemented with PQQ and coenzyme Q10 showed significant improvements in vocabulary recall and visual spatial cognition, especially in elderly people with slightly weaker brain function.

The mechanism of PQQ's improvement of brain function may be closely related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are considered to be important causes of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, and PQQ can protect neurons from oxidative damage by regulating NMDA receptors and activating the Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway. In addition, PQQ can maintain normal brain function by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors and reducing the occurrence of neuroinflammation.

Effects of PQQ on other physiological functions

In addition to its positive effects on brain function, PQQ also shows potential benefits in other aspects. For example, in an open trial of healthy adults, after supplementing with 20 mg of PQQ daily for 8 weeks, the subjects' stress levels were significantly reduced, fatigue was reduced, and sleep quality was improved. This suggests that PQQ may have a positive effect on mood and sleep by regulating neurotransmitter and hormone levels. In addition, PQQ has been found to improve the skin's water retention capacity and reduce skin water loss, which may be related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

In terms of sports training, PQQ also shows some potential. A study found that PQQ supplementation can significantly increase the level of PGC-1α protein, a transcription factor associated with mitochondrial biogenesis. Although PQQ supplementation did not directly improve aerobic exercise performance, it may enhance muscle endurance and recovery by promoting mitochondrial function.

As a functional food, pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt not only performs well in improving brain function, but also shows multiple benefits in terms of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, improving sleep quality and promoting skin health. With the continuous deepening of research, the potential application areas of PQQ may be further expanded. Future studies can further explore the mechanism of action of PQQ in different populations, as well as its synergistic effect with other nutrients, to provide people with more comprehensive health support.

References：

Ikemoto K, Ishak N S M, Akagawa M. The effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt on brain function and physiological processes[J]. The Journal of Medical Investigation, 2024, 71(1.2): 23-28.

*Special note - This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace a doctor's treatment diagnosis and advice. It should not be regarded as a recommendation or proof of efficacy of the medical products involved. If it involves disease diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, please be sure to go to a professional medical institution to seek professional advice.

by GSHWORLD

GSHWORLD is China Biological API Manufacturer. China Glutathione Supplements powder suppliers & best Glutathione benefits raw material Factory.