Nicotinamide Riboside Restores Mitochondrial Balance and Protects the Diabetic Heart: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

In diabetes, heart damage often occurs because of mitochondrial imbalance, where the cell’s energy-producing structures become fragmented and dysfunctional. This study found that nicotinamide riboside (NR)—a vitamin B3 derivative and NAD+ booster—can restore mitochondrial health and protect the heart in diabetic mice. In the hearts of diabetic animals, NAD+ levels were low, and mitochondria were damaged, but NR supplementation raised NAD+, improved mitochondrial fusion by increasing Mfn2 protein, and reduced oxidative stress and cell death. The protective effects were driven by activation of SIRT1, which deacetylated PGC1α, allowing it to work with PPARα to promote mitochondrial repair and energy balance. These findings suggest that NR supplementation may help prevent or delay heart complications in diabetes by improving mitochondrial structure and function.

Journal

Free Radical Biology and Medicine