Nicotinamide Riboside Demonstrates Cardioprotective Effects by Boosting Mitochondrial Stress Response: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) helps cells manage misfolded proteins in mitochondria to maintain function. Cardiac mitochondria are essential for contractile function and regulation of cell viability, while mitochondrial dysfunction characterizes heart failure. The role of the UPRmt in the heart is unclear. This study showed that various stresses trigger UPRmt in heart cells and in mouse hearts under pressure overload. Boosting UPRmt with NR, which increases NAD+, improved mitochondrial oxygen use, reduced heart muscle cell death, and lessened contractile dysfunction in stressed hearts. Human heart tissue from patients with aortic valve disease also showed UPRmt activation, which was linked to less heart damage and fibrosis. This indicates UPRmt protects the heart under stress, and enhancing it with NR may be therapeutic.

Journal

Journal of the American College of Cardiology