Nicotinamide Riboside Restores NAD+ Metabolism and Improves Recovery in COVID-19: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Severe COVID-19 initially causes lung infection and inflammation. Some patients develop Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID (PASC), experiencing ongoing lung problems, fatigue, and cognitive issues weeks or months after the acute infection. Dysregulated NAD metabolism has been suggested as a contributing factor. Research in transgenic mice expressing human ACE2 and analyses of patient lung tissue revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection disrupts NAD metabolism, increasing enzymes that produce and consume NAD+ while reducing SIRT1, a protein that relies on NAD+ to control inflammation. Treatment with nicotinamide riboside (NR), a NAD+ precursor, improved recovery in mice, mitigated weight loss caused by anti-NAMPT antibody treatment, and boosted beneficial NAD-related and lipid metabolites. These findings suggest that targeting NAD+ pathways with NR may offer therapeutic and preventive benefits for COVID-19.

Journal

Frontiers in Immunology