Mild Vitamin B3 Deficiency Changes Gene Activity in White Fat Tissue: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Mild vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency is hard to detect. This study compared mice fed a diet without NR (vitamin B3 precursor) to those given recommended B3 levels, both with low tryptophan (another vitamin B3 source). Mice without NR showed lower insulin sensitivity and shifted from carbohydrate to fat burning. In white adipose tissue (WAT), gene expression changed: MEK/ERK signaling was activated, glucose use genes decreased, and fat breakdown genes increased. Also, genes involved in tetrahydropteridine (BH4) synthesis—a cofactor for neurotransmitters—were upregulated. Key genes downregulated were Anp32a and Tnk2; upregulated were Mapk1, Map2k1, Qdpr, Mthfs, and Mthfsl. This gene pattern in WAT can serve as a signature for detecting mild vitamin B3 deficiency.

Journal

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research