Preventive effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on biliverdin accumulation of the liver of chick embryo after glucocorticoid administration.

Administration of a high dose of hydrocortisone hemisuccinate sodium (0.25 mumol/egg) to 15-day-old fertilized hen's eggs caused accumulation of biliverdin in the embryonic liver. The responses were 10 to 20-fold higher than controls within 48 hr as a result of stimulation of biliverdin synthesis in the liver and the decrease of biliverdin excretion from the liver. This accumulation was effectively prevented by PQQ, possibly through the enhancement of biliverdin excretion from the liver to the gallbladder. This PQQ action was due to its preventive effect against the decrease of glutathione in the liver caused by glucocorticoid since glutathione is suggested to play a role in elimination of bile components from the liver.