Targeting NAD+ Metabolism for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is important to mitochondrial function, the supply of chemical energy store molecules to power cellular processes, and thus to cell and tissue function. Levels of NAD+ decline with age, a part of the deterioration of mitochondrial function throughout the body:. Too little NAD+ is created, too little NAD+ is recycled after use. This downturn occurs for reasons in which the proximate causes are fairly clear, meaning which of the other molecules required for NAD+ synthesis and recycling come to be in short supply in old tissues, but a map of the deeper connections to the known root causes of aging is lacking. Various vitamin B3 derived supplements have been shown to increase NAD+ levels in older individuals. Those that have undergone clinical trials were no better in this regard than the effects of structured exercise programs. It seems plausible that this performance can be improved upon, but will that produce better effects than exercise? That remains to be determined. As noted in this open access paper, there are plenty of age-related conditions in which loss of mitochondrial function is important, and either exercise or pharmacological approaches to produce NAD+ upregulation may produce benefits in older individuals by reducing this loss of function. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or NAD+, is one of the most essential small molecules in mammalian cells. NAD+ interacts with over 500 enzymes and plays important roles ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs