Protective Effect of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) against Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rat

Ischemia/reperfusion can cause tissue damage and affect organ function. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs in a variety of clinical manifestations such as stroke, trauma, and surgery. The present study investigated the role of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on the renal damage after IRI. Rats were assigned to four groups randomly (n = 8): Control group, Sham group, Renal IRI (45 minutes ischemia and subsequently 24 hours reperfusion) and renal IRI + PQQ (10 mg/kg /IP). Serum level of urea, creatinine, TNF-α and IL-6 were measured by a biochemical analyzer using commercial kits. In kidney tissue samples total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured using commercial kits. The results showed that IRI injury increased serum urea, creatinine levels, TNF-α and IL-6 along with MDA, MPO levels in the renal tissue, and decreased renal TAC levels. A decrease in serum urea, creatinine levels as well as MDA, MPO levels of the IR + PQQ group were observed in renal tissues. In addition, TAC levels in the kidney tissues of PQQ-treated animals were improved in comparison with the IRI group. In conclusion, pyrroloquinoline quinone treatment ameliorated renal IR injury by anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory properties. Consequently, it could be promising as a potential therapeutic agent for renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.