Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation Improves Fetal Growth Under Hypoglycemia: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3 known for its metabolic benefits, may play an important role in glucose control during pregnancy. This study examined how NR affects blood sugar metabolism in female and pregnant mice, especially under low-blood-sugar (hypoglycemic) conditions. NR improved the animals’ ability to produce glucose through gluconeogenesis, enhanced mitochondrial energy production, and increased resistance to energy deprivation. In hormone-treated and ovariectomized mice, NR lowered high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) while promoting steady glucose generation. In cell studies, NR stimulated the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, which fuels glucose synthesis. Importantly, in pregnant mice with diet-induced hypoglycemia, NR restored maternal blood glucose and improved fetal growth. These findings suggest that NR supplementation could help maintain healthy blood sugar levels during pregnancy, offering potential benefits for women who experience hypoglycemia from insulin therapy or nutritional stress.

Journal

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry