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Nicotinamide Riboside Attenuates Inflammation and Promotes Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury: Preclinical Findings
Synopsis
After a spinal cord injury (SCI), levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)—a vital molecule for energy metabolism and cell repair—drop significantly, contributing to inflammation and nerve damage. This study tested whether nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3–derived NAD+ precursor, could restore NAD+ levels and promote healing in mice with SCI. Mice treated with NR for one week showed a substantial increase in NAD+ levels in the spinal cord, reduced inflammatory signaling (including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-22), and decreased leukocyte infiltration at the injury site. NR treatment also protected neurons and synapses from degeneration, leading to improved motor function recovery. These results show that NR helps regulate the immune response, limits inflammation, and supports neuronal survival after spinal cord injury. The study suggests that NR supplementation could serve as a promising therapeutic approach to enhance recovery and functional outcomes following SCI.
Journal
Current Issues in Molecular Biology