NQ01 gene: nutrition, lifestyle and hacks to improve functionUpdated 2 years ago

The NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) gene encodes for an important enzyme involved in cellular defense against oxidative stress and is a crucial component of our body's detoxification system [1]. NQO1 is part of the larger family of enzymes that catalyze the reduction of various quinones using NAD(P)H as a co-substrate.

NQO1 isinvolved in the specific reduction of coenzyme Q10, a potent antioxidant [2]. The NQO1 enzyme is also involved in maintaining optimal levels of NAD+, a coenzyme integral to numerous cellular processes, including energy production [3].

Low levels of NQO1 enzyme activity have been linked to severe health conditions, including cancer and dementia, as the enzyme plays a vital role in protecting cells from oxidative damage caused by injury, inflammation, and certain disease states [1, 4].

Boosting NQO1 Gene Function:

1. Diet and Lifestyle: Melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, has been shown to boost the levels of NQO1 [5]. Foods rich in carnosic acid, like coffee and rosemary, and oleanolic acid, found in extra virgin olive oil, can increase NQO1 levels [6, 7].

2. Supplementation: Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is essential for the function of NQO1 [8]. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of the antioxidant glutathione, can also support the function of the NQO1 enzyme [9].

References:

1. Siegel D, Gustafson DL, Dehn DL, Han JY, Boonchoong P, Berliner LJ, Ross D. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1: role as a superoxide scavenger. Mol Pharmacol. 2004 May;65(5):1238-47.

2. Ernster L, Dallner G. Biochemical, physiological and medical aspects of ubiquinone function. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1995 May 24;1271(1):195-204.

3. Verdin E. NAD⁺ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Science. 2015 Dec 4;350(6265):1208-13.

4. Ross D, Siegel D. NQO1 in protection against oxidative stress. Curr Opin Toxicol. 2018 Oct;8:67-72.

5. Hardeland R. Melatonin, Noncoding RNAs, Messenger RNA Stability and Epigenetics—Evidence, Hints, Gaps, and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Oct; 15(10): 18221–18252.

6. Satoh T, Kosaka K, Itoh K, et al. Carnosic acid, a catechol-type electrophilic compound, protects neurons both in vitro and in vivo through activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway via S-alkylation of targeted cysteines on Keap1. J Neurochem. 2008 Feb;104(4):1116-31.

7. Li C, Yang L, Lin C, et al. Oleanolic acid exerts an osteoprotective effect in ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic rats and stimulates the osteoblastic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Menopause. 2012 May;19(2):225-33.

8. Foster AC, Braidy N, Brew BJ, Grant RS. NAD+ Biosynthesis and Its Role in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration. Neural Regen Res. 2016 Apr; 11(4): 537–538.

9. Samuni Y, Goldstein S, Dean OM, Berk M. The chemistry and biological activities of N-acetylcysteine. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2013 Aug;1830(8):4117-29.