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NAD+ Replenishment Prevents Thymus Atrophy and Liver Fat Accumulation: Preclinical Findings
Synopsis
Dioxin (TCDD) is a highly toxic chemical that causes serious health problems like wasting, liver fat buildup, and thymus shrinkage in animals. Its toxic effects happen when it activates a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), but how this causes damage has been unclear. Using chick embryos as a model, researchers discovered that dioxin causes a loss of NAD+ due to increased activity of enzymes called PARPs. Blocking PARP activity with a drug restored NAD+ levels and prevented damage to the thymus and liver. The study also found that decreased activity of a NAD+-dependent protein called Sirt6 contributes to dioxin toxicity. Importantly, giving nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3 that boosts NAD+) prevented the toxic effects and increased protective sirtuin activity. This suggests that restoring NAD+ levels could be a way to treat or prevent dioxin-related damage.
Journal
Scientific Reports