Nicotinamide Riboside Reduces Heart Damage in Presence of Fentanyl, Midazolam, and Cangrelor: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

When blood flow to the heart is blocked and then restored—a process called ischemia-reperfusion injury—cells can be severely damaged. Researchers tested several potential protective compounds in rats, including nicotinamide riboside (NR), melatonin, empagliflozin, and fingolimod. NR, given just before the blood flow blockage, significantly reduced heart tissue damage and leakage of cell injury markers into the blood. This benefit persisted even when NR was combined with commonly used clinical drugs such as opioid painkillers and platelet inhibitors, which often interfere with protective treatments. However, NR's effect disappeared when the anesthetic propofol was used. These results suggest NR could be a promising treatment to limit heart damage during certain medical procedures or heart attacks, but its benefits may depend on the surrounding drug environment.

Journal

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine