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Nicotinamide Riboside Protects Liver Immune Cells from Alcohol-Induced Damage: Preclinical Findings
Synopsis
Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired energy metabolism. This study examined how ethanol damages Kupffer cells, the liver's resident immune cells, focusing on the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), a cellular defense that protects mitochondria. In mouse Kupffer cells, ethanol caused inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage, including reduced mitochondrial content and structural changes. Treatment with nicotinamide riboside (NR), a precursor of NAD+, reduced these harmful effects, improved mitochondrial health, and moderated the activation of UPRmt genes regulated by ATF5, a key transcription factor. Similar UPRmt changes were observed in mouse and human livers exposed to alcohol. These findings suggest that NR may help protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage and could be a potential therapy for ALD.
Journal
The Journal of Pathology