Nicotinamide Riboside Lowers Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Cardiac Oxidative Stress: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Nicotinamide riboside (NR), known to boost NAD levels, was tested alone and combined with calorie restriction (CR) to evaluate effects on obesity and heart health in rats fed a high-calorie, processed diet. NR treatment reduced body weight gain, decreased visceral and subcutaneous fat, improved insulin resistance, lowered triglyceride/HDL ratios, and reduced heart size. In the heart, NR enhanced antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and catalase (especially with CR) and lowered the harmful NADPH oxidase enzyme in both obese and lean rats. However, NR treatment also caused some adverse effects like high blood sugar, triglycerides, and oxidative damage in the heart depending on the metabolic state. This study shows NR has anti-obesity and cardiometabolic benefits and modulates heart oxidative stress, highlighting its potential as a natural therapy in obesity-related heart disease.

Journal

Life Sciences