Nicotinamide Riboside Enhances Liver Regeneration: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

The regenerative capacity of the liver is essential for recovery from surgical resection or injuries induced by trauma or toxins. During liver regeneration, the concentration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) falls, at least in part due to metabolic competition for precursors. Researchers tested if supplementing nicotinamide riboside (NR), an NAD+ precursor, could improve liver regeneration in mice. NR increased DNA synthesis, cell division, and liver mass recovery, and reduced fat accumulation during regeneration. Mice genetically engineered to produce more NAD+ in the liver showed similar improvements, while mice lacking NAMPT, a key NAD+ synthesis enzyme, had impaired regeneration that NR rescued. This shows NAD+ availability limits liver regeneration and NR could aid recovery after liver injury.

Journal

Hepatology