Pyrroloquinoline quinone inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines via the SIRT1/NF-κB signal pathway in weaned piglet jejunum

Food Funct. 2020 Mar 26;11(3):2137-2153. doi: 10.1039/c9fo02609f.

Abstract

The small intestine is an important digestive organ and plays a vital role in the life of a pig. In this study, we explored the regulatory role and molecular mechanism of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on intestinal health and to discussed the interaction between PQQ and vitamin C (VC). A total of 160 healthy piglets weaned at 21 d were randomly divided into four treatment groups according to 2 × 2 factoring. The results showed that dietary PQQ could significantly decrease the levels of plasma globulin, albumin/globulin (A/G), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREA) (P < 0.05 for each), total bilirubin, (TBIL) (P < 0.01), diamine oxidase (DAO) (P < 0.01) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) (P < 0.0001) and increase the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) (P < 0.0001) in the plasma of weaned piglets. Similarly, dietary VC could significantly decrease the levels of plasma globulin, A/G, DAO (P < 0.05 for each) and IgG (P < 0.0001) and increase the levels of IgA and IgM (P < 0.0001) in the plasma of weaned piglets. In addition, dietary PQQ increased (P < 0.05) the mRNA levels of antioxidant genes (NQO1, UGT1A1, and EPHX1), thereby enhancing (oxidized) nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) concentration and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activity in tissues. However, the addition of 200 mg kg-1 VC to the diet containing PQQ reduced most of the effects of PQQ. We further show that PQQ reduced (P < 0.05) the expression of inflammation-related genes (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2) via the SIRT1/NF-κB deacetylation signaling. In conclusion, our data reveals that PQQ exerts a certain protective effect on the intestines of piglets, but higher concentrations of VC react with PQQ, which inhibits the regulatory mechanism of PQQ.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Jejunum / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • PQQ Cofactor / administration & dosage
  • PQQ Cofactor / pharmacology*
  • Protective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism
  • Swine
  • Weaning

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • NF-kappa B
  • Protective Agents
  • PQQ Cofactor
  • Sirtuin 1