Cell Res: Tsinghua University Wang Gelin/Tang Yefeng develop NAD activator to protect nerves effectively

Written | Edited by Wang Cong | Typesetting by Wang Duoyu | Shui Chengwen slows down aging and prolongs life, which is the vision of many people, but with the growth of age, human body functions will inevitably continue to weaken, such as muscle strength
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This not only affects individuals, but also imposes a heavy burden on public health care and society
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Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a very important coenzyme in the redox reaction of organisms and plays a vital role in various biological processes including metabolism, aging, cell death, DNA repair and gene expression.
important role
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Its content decreases with age
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Many studies have shown that supplementation of NAD or NAD precursor β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) can significantly reverse aging and prolong lifespan in mouse models
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Although it has not been clinically proven and the price is high, it does not affect the rich people's pursuit of immortality.
Li Ka-shing, Buffett and other rich people not only take NMN, but also invest heavily in their R&D and production company ChromaDex
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This has also led to the hot sale of related health products, which are even called "elixirs"
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On April 22, 2022, the team of researchers Wang Gelin and Tang Yefeng from the School of Pharmacy, Tsinghua University collaborated to publish a research paper titled: Discovery of small-molecule activators of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and their preclinical neuroprotective activity in the journal Cell Research
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Decreases in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) occur in a variety of human diseases including neurodegeneration, and NAD enhancers may provide neuroprotection
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Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is the rate-limiting enzyme for NAD synthesis
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In this study, the research team discovered and developed a potent activator of NAMPT, NAT
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NAT potently activates NAMPT, thereby effectively increasing intracellular NAD levels and inducing subsequent metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming
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More importantly, NAT exhibited strong neuroprotective efficacy in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) without any apparent toxicity
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These findings demonstrate the potential of NAT in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with decreased NAD levels
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This also suggests to us that increasing NAD biosynthesis in vivo may be a potential approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly
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Paper link: https:// Open for reprinting, welcome to forward to Moments and WeChat groups