Healthspan extension, slow appearance aging and improved muscle function in mice by pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and imidazopyrroloquinoline (IPQ) supplementation

Maintaining and improving quality of life (QOL) and extending a healthy lifespan are among the most important objectives for an aging society. A research group led by Dr. Keiko Odera and Dr. Ryoya Takahashi (former professor) from the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has reveal that lifelong supplementation of PQQ (BioPQQ, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.) and its derivative IPQ in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM) P8 reduces mortality risk during midlife and delays the progression of aging and age-related decline in muscular function. Furthermore, PQQ and IPQ supplementations in middle age improve age‑related declines in muscular function. This study was published in the Food & Function on May 11, 2026 (Open Access Article).

PQQ and IPQ supplementation, whether initiated early or middle age, is effective in ameliorating age-related alterations and extending healthy lifespan.

Key Findings

LIFELONG SUPPLEMENTATION:

• Extending healthy lifespan: Supplementation of PQQ and IPQ initiated after weaning in mice reduces mortality risk during midlife. The survival days at the 75^th percentile was prolonged by 73% and 36% in the PQQ and IPQ groups.
• Slowing appearance aging: Supplementation with PQQ and IPQ significantly slowed the age-related deterioration of coat condition.

MIDLIFE SUPPLEMENTATION:

• Improving neuromuscular function: Supplementation with PQQ and IPQ improved the hanging ability of middle-aged mice.

SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION IN HEALTHSPAN EXTENSION

To evaluate the lifespan-extending effects of candidate geroprotectors, yeast and nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) are often used because of their short

lifespans and relatively easy maintenance. Various compounds have been reported to extend the lifespan of nematodes, including plant compounds (e.g., resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, astragalus polysaccharide, and ginsenosides), microbial products (e.g., rapamycin), and metabolic intermediates and drugs (e.g., nicotinamide mononucleotide, alpha ketoglutarate, and metformin). In contrast, compounds that extend the lifespan of mice maintained under normal conditions are limited to metformin and rapamycin, while resveratrol and curcumin have not shown promising effects. Even if some candidate geroprotectors are effective in invertebrates such as insects, they may not be effective in mammals such as mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that PQQ and IPQ supplementation, whether initiated early or in middle age, is effective in ameliorating age-related alterations, such as neuromuscular function, and extending healthy lifespan in mammals.