Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a ubiquitous coenzyme found in all living cells, playing a central and multifaceted role in cellular metabolism, energy production, and various signaling pathways. It exists in two primary forms: oxidized (NAD+) and reduced (NADH). NAD+ acts as an electron acceptor in numerous redox reactions, crucial for generating ATP (cellular energy), while NADH acts as an electron donor. Beyond its role in energy metabolism, NAD+ is a vital substrate for enzymes involved in DNA repair (PARPs), gene expression regulation (sirtuins), epigenetic modifications, and immune responses. Its levels naturally decline with age and in various disease states, making it a key focus in aging research and for therapeutic interventions.
Research Applications & Benefits
- this comprehensive review article explores the pivotal role of nad+ in brain aging and various neurodegenerative disorders, such as alzheimer's, parkinson's, and huntington's diseases. it discusses how nad+ depletion is a common and often exacerbating feature in these conditions. the article meticulously explains that nad+ is crucial for maintaining neuronal bioenergetics, ensuring genomic stability, and facilitating adaptive stress responses. it also highlights that nad+-dependent enzymes (specifically sirtuins and parps) are vital for proper neuronal function and survival. the review synthesizes a growing body of evidence suggesting that therapeutic strategies aimed at bolstering cellular nad+ levels could offer significant neuroprotective and potentially neurorestorative benefits.
- this human study specifically investigated the effects of nicotinamide riboside (nr) supplementation, another well-known nad+ precursor, on mitochondrial health and antioxidant defense systems in human skeletal muscle. participants received oral nr daily for several weeks. the study demonstrated that nr supplementation significantly increased nad+ levels within muscle tissue, enhanced markers of mitochondrial biogenesis (the creation of new mitochondria), notably increased the activity of sirt3 (a key mitochondrial sirtuin), and concurrently improved the overall antioxidant defense capabilities of the muscle cells. these observed changes collectively point towards improved mitochondrial function and enhanced cellular resilience within human muscle.
- this comprehensive review focuses on the involvement of nad+ in cardiovascular diseases (cvds) and explores its therapeutic potential. it highlights that nad+ acts as a pivotal co-substrate for numerous enzymes involved in various signaling pathways activated in cvds. the review synthesizes emerging evidence demonstrating that nad+ can exert significant ameliorating effects on cvds by regulating fundamental processes such as metabolism, maintaining cellular redox homeostasis, and modulating immune and inflammatory responses. furthermore, it discusses how nad+ might contribute to delaying aging through its influence on sirtuin and non-sirtuin pathways, thereby contributing to interventions for age-related cvds.
Mechanism of Action
Summary: This comprehensive review focuses on the involvement of NAD+ in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and explores its therapeutic potential. It highlights that NAD+ acts as a pivotal co-substrate for numerous enzymes involved in various signaling pathways activated in CVDs. The review synthesizes emerging evidence demonstrating that NAD+ can exert significant ameliorating effects on CVDs by regulating fundamental processes such as metabolism, maintaining cellular redox homeostasis, and modulating immune and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, it discusses how NAD+ might contribute to delaying aging through its influence on sirtuin and non-sirtuin pathways, thereby contributing to interventions for age-related CVDs.
Implications: This review underscores the growing recognition of NAD+ as a critical player in cardiovascular health and disease. It suggests that targeted interventions aimed at optimizing NAD+ levels could offer a promising strategy for preventing and treating a wide range of CVDs, many of which are exacerbated by aging and metabolic dysfunction. The pan-effect potential of NAD+ across multiple biological pathways makes it an attractive target for prophylactic and therapeutic approaches in cardiovascular medicine.
Citation:
Wang, Y., Lu, Y., Zhu, X. G., & Li, T. (2022). The effects of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in cardiovascular diseases: Molecular mechanisms, roles and therapeutic potential. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9, 901502.
Primary Research Areas
- Aging
- Longevity
- Metabolism
- Obesity
- Insulin Resistance
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Neurodegeneration
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Parkinson's Disease
- Mitochondrial Function
- DNA Repair
- Genomic Stability
- Sirtuins
- PARPs
- Inflammation
- Immune Function
- Cardiovascular Health
- Heart Failure
- NAD+ Precursors (NMN, NR)
