Article: Nicotinamide Riboside Protects Motor Neurons in ALS: Preclinical Findings

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Mitochondrial Health Neurological Health Preclinical

Nicotinamide Riboside Protects Motor Neurons in ALS: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are enzymes that rely on NAD+ and help regulate DNA repair, metabolism, and oxidative stress. Boosting NAD+ levels can activate SIRTs and antioxidant proteins, reducing mitochondrial oxidative damage. In this study, increasing NAD+ in astrocytes activated the transcription factor Nrf2 and antioxidant proteins HO-1 and SRXN1. In astrocytes from ALS mice with mutant SOD1, which normally harm motor neurons, treatment with nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) increased NAD+ and prevented this neurotoxicity. This protective effect required SIRT6, and overexpressing SIRT6 alone also stopped astrocyte-mediated motor neuron death. These findings suggest that SIRT6 activation via NAD+ precursors like NR could protect motor neurons in ALS.

Journal

The FASEB Journal

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