Nicotinamide Riboside Reduces Liver Inflammation in Diabetes: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Chronic low-grade inflammation—known as metaflammation—is a key driver of conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. This study investigated whether nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3 found naturally in milk and beer, can help reduce inflammation in the liver. Using a diabetic mouse model, researchers found that a week of NR treatment improved blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol levels without affecting body weight or food intake. Microscopic analysis showed that NR restored healthy mitochondrial and nuclear structure in liver cells damaged by metabolic stress. Importantly, NR significantly reduced inflammatory molecules and suppressed activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key driver of inflammation. These findings suggest that NR may protect the liver from inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, offering potential benefits for metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Journal

Journal of Medicinal Food