Nicotinamide Riboside Regulates Chemotaxis to Decrease Inflammation and Ameliorate Functional Recovery Following Spinal Cord Injury in Mice

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol., 2024 · DOI: 10.3390/cimb46020082 · Published: February 1, 2024

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to decreased levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which is crucial for cell function. This study investigates whether nicotinamide riboside (NR), a precursor to NAD+, can improve outcomes after SCI in mice. The researchers found that NR supplementation increased NAD+ levels in the spinal cord tissue of mice after SCI. It also reduced the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the injured area and lowered levels of inflammatory factors. Furthermore, NR enhanced the survival of neurons and synapses, leading to improved motor functions after SCI. This suggests NR could be a potential treatment for SCI by reducing inflammation and promoting neuronal survival.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

63 adult female C57BL/6N mice aged 6–8 weeks

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
NR supplementation significantly elevated NAD+ levels in the spinal cord tissue of mice after SCI, reversing the decrease typically observed after such injuries.
2
NR supplementation regulated leukocyte chemotaxis/recruitment, leading to reduced levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-22) in the injured area, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect.
3
NR supplementation notably enhanced the survival of neurons and synapses within the injured area, resulting in improved motor functions after SCI, indicating a neuroprotective effect.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation on spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. The findings indicate that NR can effectively increase NAD+ levels in spinal cord tissue. NR supplementation demonstrated inhibitory effects on leukocyte chemotaxis and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting an improvement in the immune micro-environment after SCI. Ultimately, NR promoted neuronal survival and enhanced the recovery of motor functions after SCI, positioning NR supplementation as a promising clinical treatment strategy for SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

NR supplementation shows promise as a potential clinical treatment strategy for SCI due to its ability to increase NAD+ levels and promote functional recovery.

Anti-inflammatory Strategy

NR's anti-inflammatory effects, specifically its ability to regulate leukocyte chemotaxis, highlight a new avenue for therapeutic intervention in SCI.

Neuroprotection

NR enhances neuronal and synaptic survival, suggesting its potential as a neuroprotective agent that could limit secondary injury after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on female mice, limiting the generalizability of the findings to both sexes.
2
The specific mechanisms by which NR influences leukocyte chemotaxis and neuronal survival require further investigation.
3
Long-term effects and optimal dosage of NR supplementation were not thoroughly explored.

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