Nicotinamide Riboside and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Prevent Oxidative Stress in Blood Vessel Cells From COVID-19 Patients: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

COVID-19 is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction, but mechanisms remain unclear. This study exposed human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) to plasma from hospitalized COVID-19 patients and controls to assess effects on nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and NAD+ levels. HAECs treated with COVID-19 plasma showed 27% reduced acetylcholine-stimulated NO production, 54% increased ROS, and 30% lower NAD+ concentrations, independent of age or sex. Co-treatment with NAD+ precursors nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) restored NO production and reduced oxidative stress to control levels. These findings suggest that circulating factors in COVID-19 impair endothelial function via NAD+ depletion, and NAD+ precursor supplementation may offer therapeutic protection against vascular complications of COVID-19.

Journal

Nitric Oxide