Alpha Hope, via Molecular Hydrogen and Pyrroloquinoline Quinone, Dose-Dependently Increases Nrf2 and PGC-1α Levels in C2C12 Myoblasts

Abstract

Alpha Hope is a dietary supplement containing pyrroloquinoline quinone and elemental magnesium, which produces molecular hydrogen (H2 gas) when dissolved in water. We determined the impact of Alpha Hope on Nrf-2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC-1α), and citrate synthase (CS) activity in C2C12 myoblasts. Alpha Hope was titrated to three concentrations of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) (10 nM, 100 nM, 1000 nM) and treated on C2C12 for 48 h. Nrf-2 and PGC-1α levels were measured using Western blot analysis. CS activity was measured according to previously described methods. Treatment significantly increased Nrf-2 and PGC-1α protein levels in C2C12 myoblasts, with no change for CS. For Nrf-2, values for both the 100 nM (p = 0.046) and 1000 nM (p = 0.011) concentrations were higher than control. For PGC-1α, values for both the 100 nM (p = 0.039) and 1000 nM (p = 0.017) concentrations were higher than control. In a small human pilot study, subjects consumed the Alpha Hope product daily for four weeks, with no adverse effects, with some subjects noted as “responders” to treatment. Alpha Hope can significantly increase both Nrf-2 and PGC-1α in a concentration-dependent manner. Healthy men and women who ingest the product daily can do so without adverse effects.

Study details

Article type

Original Research

Disease / injury model

None (healthy cells and healthy human subjects)

Duration

4 weeks

Dose comparison

Three concentrations of Alpha Hope (10 nM, 100 nM, 1000 nM PQQ, corresponding to increasing H2) were compared for their effects on Nrf2 and PGC-1α in C2C12 myoblasts.

Dose-dependent effect

Yes

Outcome

Positive

Findings

Alpha Hope, a supplement containing molecular hydrogen and PQQ, dose-dependently increased Nrf2 and PGC-1α protein levels in C2C12 myoblasts in vitro, with no significant change in citrate synthase activity. In a small human pilot study, Alpha Hope was safe and well tolerated, with some subjects showing increases in blood biomarkers (irisin, BDNF, FGF-21), but no statistically significant group-level effects.