Nicotinamide Riboside Converts into NAD+ without Breaking Down into Nicotinamide: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

NAD+ is a key molecule used in many cellular processes, not just energy production, but also in regulating important enzymes. Understanding how cells make NAD+ is therefore very important. In this study, researchers created a special form of nicotinamide riboside (NR) labeled with isotopes, which allowed them to track how NR is converted into NAD+ inside cells. They found that NR is efficiently turned into NAD+ without first breaking down into nicotinamide, meaning it is incorporated directly. This new method and labeled NR provide powerful tools to study NAD+ metabolism and understand its roles in health and disease.

Journal

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry