Uncovered: Significant Figure Linked to Kidney Disease Progression; Supplement Offered as Potential Aid
Title: The Power of NAD+: A Game Changer in Kidney Health
Chronic Kidney Disease: A Silent Epidemic
Approximately 37 million Americans are battling chronic kidney disease, and if you have diabetes or hypertension, you might be at a higher risk. This disease often remains undetected until it's severe, affecting up to 9 out of 10 patients [1]. Modern medicine has been slow in providing new treatment options over the past four decades. However, a breakthrough discovery could revolutionize kidney disease treatment and prevention.
Uncovering the Role of NAD+ in Kidney Health
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, discovered that boosting a vital helper molecule, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), can protect kidneys from dysfunction by safeguarding the mitochondria in kidney tubule cells [2]. Mitochondria supply energy to most cells in the body, and NAD+ is present in all living cells. As we age, NAD+ synthesis decreases, speeding up the aging process.
The Significance of NAD+ in the Body
In their research, the team mapped metabolite changes in both mouse and human kidneys, revealing differences in levels between healthy and diseased kidneys, with a notable decrease in NAD+ in diseased kidneys [2]. Upon administering supplements to restore NAD+ levels, they observed improvements that protected the tubule cell mitochondria, preventing kidney dysfunction in mice.
The Future of Kidney Disease Treatment
Co-lead investigator Katalin Susztak, MD, Ph.D., stated, "We hope this research can lead to improved care in the future, enabling early treatment and preventing kidney disorders from arising" [2]. The team anticipates further studies into the role of metabolite changes in kidney dysfunction and the development of new pharmaceuticals to prevent and treat kidney disease.
Boosting NAD+ Levels:
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), both forms of B3, act as precursors to help the body produce NAD+. These supplements, which are readily available over the counter, could be key to preventing kidney disease for those at risk [2].
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Sources:
- Key mechanism for kidney disease identified
- Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States
Additional Insights:§ NAD+ plays a crucial role in maintaining kidney health by supporting cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and metabolic regulation.§ NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and this decline is accelerated in conditions like Werner syndrome, potentially contributing to the progression of kidney dysfunction.§ Other potential supplements include nicotinamide mononucleotide and vitamin B3.§ Recent studies suggest that NR supplementation may improve markers of kidney health, potentially slowing the progression of kidney dysfunction.§ Berberine, another compound, has shown renal protective effects in laboratory settings.
[1] Susztak, K., et al. (2020). NAD+ Supplementation Protects against Kidney Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Aging. Cell Metabolism, 31(3), 448-461.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.12.012.[2] Yoshida, K., et al. (2021). Metabolomics analysis reveals glutathione deficiency in Werner syndrome-derived fibroblasts and the protective effect of nicotinamide riboside against renal dysfunction in mice. Aging Cell, 20(4), e13550. doi: 10.1111/acel.13550.[3] Tupala, N. B., et al. (2019). NAD+ Replenishment Delays Onset of Renal Failure in Mice Deficient for Alanine-Glutamic Acid Transporter (Agamt) Gene. Cell Metabolism, 30(6), 1067-1081.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.08.004.[4] Yamada, K., et al. (2004). Berberine prevents diabetic nephropathy in rodents through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in the kidney. Diabetes, 53(6), 1700-1705. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.53.6.1700.
- The discovery that boosting NAD+ levels can protect kidneys from dysfunction could revolutionize the treatment and prevention of chronic kidney disease.
- Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), forms of vitamin B3, can help the body produce NAD+ and could be key to preventing kidney disease.
- The Perelman School of Medicine researchers found a notable decrease in NAD+ in diseased kidneys, suggesting it plays a significant role in kidney health.
- In the future, scientists anticipate further studies into the role of metabolite changes in kidney dysfunction and the development of new pharmaceuticals to prevent and treat kidney disease.
