Nicotinamide Riboside Prevents Cardiac Death: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

This study revealed that maintaining NAD+ levels is critical for heart health and rhythm stability. Researchers found that when Nampt, the key enzyme responsible for NAD+ production, was deleted in adult heart cells, NAD+ levels dropped sharply, leading to severe metabolic disturbances, heart muscle remodeling (hypertrophy), and sudden cardiac death—even though the heart’s pumping ability and mitochondrial energy production remained normal. Mice with low NAD+ developed shortened QT intervals and lethal arrhythmias. However, treatment with nicotinamide riboside (NR)—a vitamin B3–derived NAD+ precursor—restored NAD+ levels, reversed the metabolic abnormalities, and prevented cardiac death. These findings show that NAD+ depletion alone can disrupt heart rhythm and structure, and that NR supplementation may be a promising therapy for preventing arrhythmias and heart remodeling in conditions linked to NAD+ deficiency.

Journal

Nature Cardiovascular Research