Nicotinamide Riboside Supports Cartilage Cell Survival and Normal Bone Growth: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is critical for energy metabolism and bone development. Researchers generated mice lacking NAMPT, an essential enzyme in the NAD+ salvage pathway, in mesenchymal cells that form limb bones. These mice showed severe limb shortening at birth due to death of growth plate cartilage cells (chondrocytes). Treating pregnant mice with nicotinamide riboside (NR) largely prevented these developmental defects. After birth, continued NAD+ depletion caused further cartilage cell loss, halting bone growth, although osteoblast formation was unaffected. This study reveals that cell-autonomous NAD+ maintenance via the salvage pathway is crucial for cartilage survival and endochondral bone formation.

Journal

Nature Communications