Effects of Nicotinamide, Pyridoxine, Nicotinamide Riboside, and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Muscle Stem Cells and Regeneration: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Skeletal muscle depends on muscle stem cells (MuSCs) for growth and repair, but aging and muscle diseases reduce their function, leading to muscle loss and weakness. This study tested nicotinamide (NAM), pyridoxine (PN), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on human myogenic progenitors (hMPs) and in mice. While all compounds increased NAD+ levels, only NAM (alone or combined with PN) actually boosted the number of muscle progenitor cells and their activity. NAM and PN work together through specific cell signaling pathways to boost stem cell growth and differentiation. Giving NAM and PN orally improved muscle regeneration, increased strength, and reversed age-related stem cell decline in animals. Levels of these nutrients naturally drop with age, and lower levels were linked to lower muscle mass and slower walking speed in older humans. These findings suggest that NAM and PN could be a practical nutritional approach to support muscle health during aging.

Journal

Journal of Clinical Investigation