A Nanoformulation of Ubiquinol and Selenium Promotes Proliferation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Abstract

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold immense promise for regenerative medicine. However, a critical barrier to the clinical application of hiPSCs is the difficulty in promoting robust cell proliferation while preserving their pluripotent state. Efficient hiPSC expansion without loss of pluripotency is crucial for generating high quality cells or therapeutic applications, disease modeling, and drug discovery. In our study, we investigated the effects of QuinoMit Q10^® fluid (QMF-Se), a nanoformulated supplement containing Ubiquinol (the active form of Coenzyme Q10) and Selenium, on hiPSC growth and maintenance in vitro. Interesting, QMF-Se supplementation significantly enhances hiPSC proliferation compared to control cultures. This increase in cell number was accompanied by heightened mitochondrial activity, suggesting improved cellular energy metabolism. Importantly, the expression of core pluripotency markers OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 remained unaltered, confirming that the stem cells retained their undifferentiated status. Moreover, we observed that QMF-Se treatment conferred protective effects during the freeze-thaw process, reducing cell death and supporting post-thaw recovery. These results indicate that QMF-Se may improve both cell culture efficiency and cryopreservation outcomes. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of QMF-Se as a valuable additive for hiPSC culture systems, contributing to more efficient and reliable expansion protocols in regenerative medicine research.