Nicotinamide Riboside Mitigates Cancer Cachexia: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Cancer cachexia, a severe condition seen in advanced cancer patients, causes muscle loss, weight loss, and fat breakdown, greatly reducing quality of life and survival. This study found that nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 derivative and NAD+ precursor, can protect against these effects in mice with cancer-induced cachexia. NR supplementation reduced inflammatory molecules such as TNF-α and IL-6, prevented muscle protein breakdown by suppressing atrophy-related genes like atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, and limited fat loss by inhibiting the ATGL gene, which drives fat metabolism. NR also supported NAD+ production and improved cellular metabolism, helping to maintain muscle mass and energy balance. These findings suggest that early or preventive NR supplementation may help reduce muscle wasting and inflammation in cancer patients, offering a potential nutritional strategy against cachexia.

Journal

Frontiers in Pharmacology