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Effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on skin wound healing in mice
Farshid Davoodi1, Rahim Mohammadi1, Siamak Asri-Rezaei2
1Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
Objective:
Wound healing is a dynamic process that begins following the destruction of the skin's normal anatomy. This study evaluated effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone on skin wounds in mice.
Methods:
Thirty-six male mice were randomly divided in to 3 groups: (1) Sham group, where wounds were created but no treatment was administered; (2) Soybean oil, where soybean oil was applied topically to wounds for 9 days; and (3) pyrroloquinoline quinone group, where pyrroloquinoline quinone dissolved in soybean oil was applied topically. Four mice per group were used in an incisional wound model for biomechanical testing. Hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, immunohistochemical staining of caspase 3, vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor growth factor beta, oxidative stress biomarkers, and Western blot assay for tumor necrosis factor alpha and nuclear factor kappa B were performed on days 7 and 14. Biomechanical parameters were evaluated on day 10 post wounding.
Results:
Pyrroloquinoline quinone significantly reduced the wound area. In the treatment group, malondialdehyde and total oxidant status significantly reduced and total antioxidant capacity was increased compared with other groups. Levels of hydroxyproline was significantly higher in the pyrroloquinoline quinone group in comparison to 2 other groups. In Western blot assay, tumor necrosis factor alpha significantly reduced in the treatment group. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed improved wound healing in the pyrroloquinoline quinone group, with reduced expression of caspase 3 and tumor growth factor beta. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression increased on day 7 but decreased on day 14 in the pyrroloquinoline quinone group. Biomechanical parameters including, strain, ultimate strength, and maximum energy stored, showed significant improvements.
Conclusion:
These findings suggested that pyrroloquinoline quinone may accelerate wound healing in mice.
Insights
Pyrroloquinoline quinone significantly improved wound healing in mice by reducing wound size and inflammation. This compound enhanced antioxidant capacity and improved biomechanical strength, suggesting potential for therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Wound healing is a complex biological process crucial for restoring skin integrity.
- Understanding molecular mechanisms driving wound repair is essential for developing effective treatments.
- Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a compound with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in accelerating skin wound healing in a murine model.
- To evaluate the impact of PQQ on key biochemical and biomechanical parameters of wound repair.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled study involving 36 male mice divided into sham, soybean oil, and PQQ treatment groups.
- Topical application of PQQ or soybean oil to incisional wounds for 9 days.
- Analysis included histopathology, immunohistochemistry (caspase 3, VEGF, TGF-β), oxidative stress markers, Western blot (TNF-α, NF-κB), and biomechanical testing.
Main Results:
- PQQ significantly reduced wound area and improved biomechanical properties (strength, strain, energy storage).
- Treatment with PQQ increased total antioxidant capacity and hydroxyproline levels while decreasing malondialdehyde, total oxidant status, TNF-α, caspase 3, and TGF-β.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression showed a transient increase on day 7, followed by a decrease on day 14.
Conclusions:
- Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) demonstrates significant potential to accelerate skin wound healing in mice.
- PQQ exerts its effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenic mechanisms.
- These findings support PQQ as a promising therapeutic agent for wound management.
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