ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes previous experimental data on pharmacological effects of Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) specifically with respect to acetaldehyde metabolism following ethanol loading to rats and the protective effects of PQQ against hepatotoxin-induced liver injury in rats and against hydrocortisone-induced cataract formation in chick embryos. Pharmacological application of PQQ to the animals was performed, particularly with respect to the acceleration of alcohol metabolism and prevention of experimental liver injury and cataract formation. Toxic effects of PQQ on the kidney were also demonstrated. PQQ was administered at a dose of 11.5 mg/kg body weight twice, at 1 hour and 10 minutes, prior to the ethanol administration. However, blood and liver acetaldehyde levels were much lower in the PQQ-treated rats than in untreated rats. The minimum effective dose of PQQ was determined by administration of a single dose of PQQ given 10 minutes prior to carbon tetrachloride administration.
