EFFECTS OF PYRROLOQUINOLINE QUINONE (PQQ) SUPPLEMENTATION ON NON-ENDURANCE TRAINED ATHLETES

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of six weeks of PQQ supplementation in non-endurance-trained individuals on:

1. physiological and metabolic response during a FATmax-VO₂peak exercise test 2. resting energy expenditure, body composition and blood biomarkers (fasting glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels) 3. blood and urine omics markers of oxidative metabolism 24 basketball players will be randomized to consume a supplement containing 20 mg/day of PQQ or placebo (PLA) during a six-week intervention. Subjects will be encouraged to maintain their usual diet and training schedule. Body composition will be assessed by dual-energy-x-ray-absorptiometry and bioimpedance analysis. Aerobic exercise performance will be evaluated through a graded exercise protocol (six 5-minutes steps followed by n 2-minutes steps until exhaustion; the initial workload was 60 watts and increased by 35 watts at the end of each step) performed on a cycle ergometer. Capillary blood lactate samples were collected at the end of each step. Blood and urine samples were also collected, and metabolomics analysis will be performed.

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Key information

Conditions

Mitochondrial Biogenesis Inflammation Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Nutrition and Exercise Lab, DSB, University of Padova

Padova, Italy, 35131

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

1) Age: Participants aged between 18 and 40 years.
2) Body mass index (BMI): BMI within the range of 18-30 kg/m².
4) Physical activity: Regular engagement in non-endurance physical activities (3-4 times a week), with no participation in structured endurance training programs.

Exclusion criteria

1) chronic disease;
2) acute illness; and
3) use of dietary supplements, pharmacological agents, or adherence to a hypocaloric diet.

Treatment and study plan

Pyrrole Quinoline Quinone (PQQ)

Dietary Supplement

Subjects will be provided with 84 capsules of the PQQ or the placebo supplement. Both supplements were in capsule form and identical in size, shape and color. The PQQ content per capsule was 10 mg. The indication was to take two capsules every evening for 6 weeks. The duration of the supplementation protocol was assessed based on a previous study (Hwang et al., 2020), while the dose was chosen according to EFSA recommendations (Turck et al., 2017).

Placebo

Other

Subjects were provided with 84 capsules of placebo. The indication will be to take two capsules every evening for 6 weeks.

Primary outcomes

Fat oxidation during FATmax-VO₂peak exercise test using gas analyzer.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Participants perform a graded exercise test on an electronically braked bicycle ergometer. A modified FATmax protocol is employed. After a 10-min warm-up at 50 W, the test commenced at 60 W and the workload increased by 35 W every 5 min until the participant could no longer maintain a cadence ≥60 rpm. The volume of Oxygen uptake (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂) per minute were recorded via a breath-by-breath gas analyzer. The average V̇O2 and V̇CO2 is extracted over the final 2 min of each stage of the test to ensure steady-state values . FatAT and carbohydrate (CHO) CHO oxidation and energy expenditure are calculated via stoichiometric equations (Jeukendrup & Wallis, 2005) and appropriate energy equivalents, with the assumption that the urinary nitrogen excretion rate was negligible. Data are analyzed workload-matched

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Padova

Other

Registry information

Official study title

EFFECTS OF PYRROLOQUINOLINE QUINONE (PQQ) SUPPLEMENTATION ON METABOLIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION AT REST AND DURING SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE IN NON-ENDURANCE-TRAINED ATHLETES: A RANDOMIZED PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Aug 29, 2025
Registry last updated: Sep 10, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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