Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ)
Redox cofactor that stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through activation of PGC-1alpha via CREB phosphorylation. Unlike CoQ10 which optimizes existing mitochondria, PQQ triggers the creation of new mitochondria. Also functions as a potent antioxidant with catalytic recycling capability — a single PQQ molecule can perform over 20,000 redox cycles versus 4 for vitamin C.
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- hs-crp
- PMID:20350614Pyrroloquinoline quinone stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through CREB phosphorylation and increased PGC-1alpha expression — J Biol Chem, 2010
- PMID:23132257The effect of PQQ on mental function in healthy adults — Food Sci Technol Res, 2012
PQQ pairs with CoQ10 the same way construction crews pair with architects. CoQ10 optimizes the mitochondria you have. PQQ builds new ones. The PGC-1alpha pathway is the master switch for mitochondrial biogenesis, and PQQ activates it. The human evidence is still building — most data is from cell and animal models — but the mechanism is well-characterized and the safety profile is clean. 20mg daily with CoQ10 is the standard pairing. The catalytic recycling is what makes PQQ unusual among antioxidants. It does not get consumed in the reaction.
This is not medical advice
Discuss with a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any compound. This page documents what the research literature describes — it is not a prescription.
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