Nicotinamide Riboside Improves Insulin Resistance by Boosting Mitochondrial Function in Skeletal Muscle: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

High-fat diet-induced insulin resistance (IR) in skeletal muscle is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. This study assessed whether nicotinamide riboside (NR) could reverse these defects. Male mice fed a high-fat diet with or without NR for 24 weeks showed that NR improved glucose tolerance, lowered fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, and reduced body weight and liver fat. NR activated the energy sensor AMPK in muscle and increased expression of mitochondrial genes, enhancing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress. In muscle cells treated with palmitic acid to induce IR, NR also activated AMPK, and blocking AMPK prevented NR's benefits. These results indicate that NR alleviates insulin resistance by improving mitochondrial health through AMPK activation in skeletal muscle.

Journal

International Journal of Molecular Sciences