OBJECTIVETo investigate the roles of PI3K/Akt signal pathway in Schwann cells proliferation promoted by pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ).

METHODSSchwann cells were cultured and purified in vitro. The purity was identified by immunofluorescence of S-100; the expression of Akt and phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) were detected by western blot, and the expression of p-Akt after blocking the PI3K signal transduction pathway by PI3K inhibitor wortmannin was detected by western blot.

RESULTSMorphological change was observed in PQQ-treated Schwann cells, p-Akt was detected 30 min after PQQ treated, reached the peak at 4 h, and disappeared 12 h later. 1-100 nmol/L PQQ could up-regulate the expression of p-Akt; this up-regulated expression of p-Akt was inhibited by wortmannin (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPQQ could affect morphology of Schwann cells and activation of Akt. It indicates that PI3K/Akt signal pathway might be involved in Schwann cells proliferation promoted by PQQ.