Nicotinamide Riboside Protects Against Paraquat-Induced Lung Injury: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide, can cause severe oxidative lung damage and high mortality. This study investigated whether nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 derivative, can protect mice from lung injury caused by paraquat (PQ) poisoning. Mice exposed to PQ showed severe symptoms, including lethargy, poor activity, and high lung damage, along with increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death. Mice treated with NR before PQ exposure had milder symptoms, higher survival (80% vs. 40%), and improved lung health. NR reduced inflammation and oxidative damage, lowered markers of cell death, and increased protective proteins Sirt1 and Nrf2 in lung tissue. These results suggest that NR can help protect against acute lung injury from PQ by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis while boosting protective cellular pathways.

Journal

Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases