Nicotinamide Riboside Ameliorates Joint Damage and Inflammation in Knee Osteoarthritis: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common condition that causes joint pain and stiffness due to cartilage breakdown and inflammation. This study compared the effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR)—an NAD+-boosting anti-aging supplement—with collagen, a standard joint supplement, in rats with osteoarthritis. Both NR and collagen significantly reduced cartilage damage, lowered inflammation, and decreased oxidative stress markers such as nitric oxide and malondialdehyde. They also restored levels of important antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, while reducing TNF-α, a key inflammatory molecule. These findings suggest that NR offers strong chondroprotective (cartilage-protecting) and anti-inflammatory effects, performing similarly to collagen in protecting the joints. The results indicate that NR could be a promising alternative or complementary treatment for osteoarthritis.

Journal

Journal of Clinical Medicine