Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) protects mitochondrial function of HEI-OC1 cells under premature senescence

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), an oxidoreductase cofactor, on the H 2 O 2 -induced premature senescence model in HEI-OC1 auditory cells and to elucidate its mechanism of action in vitro. Cells were treated with PQQ for 1 day before H 2 O 2 (100 μM) exposure. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity was damaged in this premature senescence model but was restored in cells pretreated with PQQ (0.1 nM or 1.0 nM). A decrease in mitochondrial potential, the promotion of mitochondrial fusion and the accelerated movement of mitochondria were all observed in PQQ-pretreated cells. The protein expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) were significantly decreased under H 2 O 2 exposure while they were increased with PQQ pretreatment, and PGC-1α acetylation was significantly decreased. In conclusion, PQQ has a protective effect on the premature senescence model of HEI-OC1 auditory cells and is associated with the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, mitochondrial structure, and mitochondrial respiratory capacity.