Nicotinamide Riboside Protects Against Maternal Acetaminophen Exposure: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Acetaminophen (APAP) is widely used by pregnant women to relieve pain and fever, but recent evidence suggests it may harm fetal development, especially during the sensitive period of egg (oocyte) formation. This study in mice showed that maternal APAP exposure disrupted fetal oocyte meiosis—the process by which eggs mature—through its toxic metabolite NAPQI. These disruptions included delayed meiotic progression, chromosomal pairing defects, and long-term effects such as delayed puberty, reduced ovarian hormone levels, and decreased fertility in adult offspring. However, when pregnant mice were co-treated with nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide (NAM)—both vitamin B3–derived NAD+ boosters—these harmful effects were largely reversed. The protection depended on SIRT7, an NAD+-activated enzyme involved in maintaining genomic stability. The findings reveal that acetaminophen’s metabolite interferes with early egg development, but NAD+ supplementation during pregnancy may help preserve oocyte quality and female fertility.

Journal

Antioxidants & Redox Signaling