Pyrroloquinoline quinone prevents developmental programming of microbial dysbiosis and macrophage polarization to attenuate liver fibrosis in offspring of obese mice
Zhang Q, Shen M, Ding M, Shen D, Ding F
Published in Hepatology Communications
Abstract
Study showing PQQ prevents liver dysfunction through microbiome modulation and anti-inflammatory effects, demonstrating therapeutic potential beyond mitochondrial function enhancement.
Methodology
Preclinical mouse study: pyrroloquinoline quinone was given to obese dams during pregnancy and lactation; offspring were assessed for gut microbiome composition, hepatic macrophage polarisation, inflammation and fibrosis markers.
Key Findings
Maternal PQQ supplementation prevented the microbial dysbiosis normally programmed by maternal obesity in offspring, reduced pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophage polarisation in the liver, lowered oxidative stress, and attenuated hepatic fibrosis in offspring fed a Western diet.
Conclusions
In mice, PQQ given during pregnancy and lactation protects offspring against liver fibrosis driven by maternal obesity, acting through microbiome modulation and reduced hepatic inflammation rather than mitochondrial biogenesis alone.
Limitations
Entirely preclinical; no human data. Maternal-supplementation model in mice does not translate to adult human supplement use, and doses were not human-equivalent. Fibrosis endpoints were histological and marker-based in a short rodent lifespan window.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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