Friday, January 17, 2025

The Influence of Nicotinamide on Health and Disease in the Central Nervous System

 Did your competent? doctor start doing something with this way back in 2003? NO? So, you DON'T have a functioning stroke doctor, do you?

Nicotinamide: necessary nutrient emerges as a novel cytoprotectant for the brain May 2003 

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The Influence of Nicotinamide on Health and Disease in the Central Nervous System

Abstract

Nicotinamide, the amide form of vitamin B3 (niacin), has long been associated with neuronal development, survival, and function in the central nervous system (CNS), being implicated in both neuronal death and neuroprotection. Here, we summarise a body of research investigating the role of nicotinamide in neuronal health within the CNS, with a focus on studies that have shown a neuroprotective effect. Nicotinamide appears to play a role in protecting neurons from traumatic injury, ischaemia, and stroke, as well as being implicated in 3 key neurodegenerative conditions: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. A key factor is the bioavailability of nicotinamide, with low concentrations leading to neurological deficits and dementia and high levels potentially causing neurotoxicity. Finally, nicotinamide’s potential mechanisms of action are discussed, including the general maintenance of cellular energy levels and the more specific inhibition of molecules such as the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1).

Introduction

There is a growing body of evidence that diet and nutrition play a direct role in maintaining neuronal health. In particular, dietary factors can influence the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and potentially its amelioration.1,2 The emerging pattern from this body of research is that there are clear consequences to an imbalance in dietary factors on the production and maintenance of mature neurons.
Our research and that of others suggest that vitamins are essential both for the formation of neurons and their survival. Here, we review nicotinamide and associated active metabolites. We discuss nicotinamide’s role in the maintenance of mature central nervous system (CNS) neurons; its influence on neuronal health and survival during ageing, injury, and disease; and its potential as a therapeutic for neurodegenerative disease.

Vitamins and Their Role in Health

During the last century, a new class of nutritional supplements was identified. These ‘vitamins’ were defined as biologically active organic compounds essential for normal health and growth, which cannot, or can only partially, be synthesised by the human body. Grouped by their biological and chemical activity, 13 classes of vitamins (Table 1) are currently recognised, having diverse biochemical functions such as regulation of cell and tissue growth, mineral metabolism, acting as coenzymes in metabolism, and directing cell differentiation.3 Thus, vitamins are essential for the development and maintenance of the body, with their deficiencies leading to conditions affecting multiple systems, such as pellagra, scurvy, rickets, bleeding disorders, and vulnerability to infections.4 If untreated, vitamin deficiencies can lead to significant ill health and potentially death.
Table 1. The thirteen recognised classes of vitamins and their roles.
VitaminOther namesExamples of physiological functions
Vitamin ARetinol, retinoic acid, retinal, carotenoidGrowth, maintenance of skin, bone development, maintenance of myelin, maintenance of vision
Vitamin B1ThiamineGrowth, appetite, digestion, nerve activity, energy production
Vitamin B2RiboflavinGrowth and development of foetus, redox systems, and respiratory enzymes; maintenance of mucosal, epithelial, and eye tissues
Vitamin B3Nicotinamide, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, niacinMaintenance of NAD and NADP, coenzyme in lipid catabolism, oxidative deamination
Vitamin B5Pantothenic acidLipid metabolism, protein metabolism, part of coenzyme A in carbohydrate metabolism
Vitamin B6Pyridoxine, pyridoxol, adermineGrowth; protein, CHO, and lipid metabolism; coenzyme in amino acid metabolism
Vitamin B7Biotin, protective factor XGrowth; maintenance of skin, hair, bone marrow, and sex glands; biosynthesis of aspartate and unsaturated fatty acids
Vitamin B9Folic acid, folacin, folinic acidSynthesis of nucleic acid, differentiation of embryonic nervous system
Vitamin B12CobalaminCoenzyme in nucleic acid, protein, and lipid synthesis; maintenance of epithelial cells and nervous system
Vitamin CAscorbic acidAbsorption of iron, antioxidant, growth, wound healing, formation of cartilage, dentine, bone and teeth, maintenance of capillaries
Vitamin DVitamin D3, cholecalciferol, calcitriolNormal growth, Ca and P absorption, maintains and activates alkaline phosphatase in bone, maintains serum calcium and phosphorus levels
Vitamin ETocopherol, Tokopharm, tocotrienolsAntioxidant, growth maintenance, aids absorption of unsaturated fatty acids, maintains muscular metabolism and integrity of vascular system and central nervous system
Vitamin KProthrombin factor, menaquinonesBlood-clotting mechanisms, electron transport mechanisms, growth, prothrombin synthesis in liver

Nicotinamide, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, and Neuronal Health

Nicotinamide, the water-soluble amide form of vitamin B3, is a key component of the metabolic pathway involved in the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). One source of nicotinamide is the diet, via intake of eggs, meat, fish, and mushrooms. A second source of nicotinamide is the metabolism of endogenous tryptophan, an essential amino acid. Nicotinamide can also be generated from niacin via the formation of NAD+.
Nicotinamide is stored in only small quantities in the liver, with most being either excreted or catabolised to provide other key metabolic products. It is difficult to achieve adverse effects from excessive intake, even with pharmacologically high doses, but overdose can cause hepatotoxicity in rare cases.5
The enzyme, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), catalyses the synthesis of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) from nicotinamide (Figure 1). Its role in the metabolic pathway for the biosynthesis of NAD (oxidised form NAD+; reduced form NADH) suggests its importance in cells that are sensitive to decreases in NAD levels, such as neurons.6 NAD homeostasis has also been found to be altered with ageing710; thus, by influencing levels of NAD+ within neurons, nicotinamide may play a key role in neuronal maturation and neuroprotection.
Figure 1. Simplified schematic representation of the key pathways for the metabolism of nicotinamide, niacin, and tryptophan in the production of NAD+.
The enzyme NMN adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) converts NMN to NAD+ (Figure 1). Three isozymes, NMNAT1, 2, and 3, are localised to the nucleus, cytoplasm, or mitochondria, respectively.11 An increase in NMNAT activity has been shown to lead to axonal protection in cultured neurons undergoing Wallerian degeneration, through a rise in nuclear NAD levels, leading to activation of the NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1),12,13 implicating nicotinamide indirectly in neuroprotection.
In humans, Rosemary A Fricker r.a.fricker@keele.ac.uk, Emma L Green, […], and Síle M Griffin+1View all authors and affiliations

Abstract

Nicotinamide, the amide form of vitamin B3 (niacin), has long been associated with neuronal development, survival, and function in the central nervous system (CNS), being implicated in both neuronal death and neuroprotection. Here, we summarise a body of research investigating the role of nicotinamide in neuronal health within the CNS, with a focus on studies that have shown a neuroprotective effect. Nicotinamide appears to play a role in protecting neurons from traumatic injury, ischaemia, and stroke, as well as being implicated in 3 key neurodegenerative conditions: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. A key factor is the bioavailability of nicotinamide, with low concentrations leading to neurological deficits and dementia and high levels potentially causing neurotoxicity. Finally, nicotinamide’s potential mechanisms of action are discussed, including the general maintenance of cellular energy levels and the more specific inhibition of molecules such as the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1).

Introduction

There is a growing body of evidence that diet and nutrition play a direct role in maintaining neuronal health. In particular, dietary factors can influence the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and potentially its amelioration.1,2 The emerging pattern from this body of research is that there are clear consequences to an imbalance in dietary factors on the production and maintenance of mature neurons.
Our research and that of others suggest that vitamins are essential both for the formation of neurons and their survival. Here, we review nicotinamide and associated active metabolites. We discuss nicotinamide’s role in the maintenance of mature central nervous system (CNS) neurons; its influence on neuronal health and survival during ageing, injury, and disease; and its potential as a therapeutic for neurodegenerative disease.

Vitamins and Their Role in Health

During the last century, a new class of nutritional supplements was identified. These ‘vitamins’ were defined as biologically active organic compounds essential for normal health and growth, which cannot, or can only partially, be synthesised by the human body. Grouped by their biological and chemical activity, 13 classes of vitamins (Table 1) are currently recognised, having diverse biochemical functions such as regulation of cell and tissue growth, mineral metabolism, acting as coenzymes in metabolism, and directing cell differentiation.3 Thus, vitamins are essential for the development and maintenance of the body, with their deficiencies leading to conditions affecting multiple systems, such as pellagra, scurvy, rickets, bleeding disorders, and vulnerability to infections.4 If untreated, vitamin deficiencies can lead to significant ill health and potentially death.
Table 1. The thirteen recognised classes of vitamins and their roles.
VitaminOther namesExamples of physiological functions
Vitamin ARetinol, retinoic acid, retinal, carotenoidGrowth, maintenance of skin, bone development, maintenance of myelin, maintenance of vision
Vitamin B1ThiamineGrowth, appetite, digestion, nerve activity, energy production
Vitamin B2RiboflavinGrowth and development of foetus, redox systems, and respiratory enzymes; maintenance of mucosal, epithelial, and eye tissues
Vitamin B3Nicotinamide, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, niacinMaintenance of NAD and NADP, coenzyme in lipid catabolism, oxidative deamination
Vitamin B5Pantothenic acidLipid metabolism, protein metabolism, part of coenzyme A in carbohydrate metabolism
Vitamin B6Pyridoxine, pyridoxol, adermineGrowth; protein, CHO, and lipid metabolism; coenzyme in amino acid metabolism
Vitamin B7Biotin, protective factor XGrowth; maintenance of skin, hair, bone marrow, and sex glands; biosynthesis of aspartate and unsaturated fatty acids
Vitamin B9Folic acid, folacin, folinic acidSynthesis of nucleic acid, differentiation of embryonic nervous system
Vitamin B12CobalaminCoenzyme in nucleic acid, protein, and lipid synthesis; maintenance of epithelial cells and nervous system
Vitamin CAscorbic acidAbsorption of iron, antioxidant, growth, wound healing, formation of cartilage, dentine, bone and teeth, maintenance of capillaries
Vitamin DVitamin D3, cholecalciferol, calcitriolNormal growth, Ca and P absorption, maintains and activates alkaline phosphatase in bone, maintains serum calcium and phosphorus levels
Vitamin ETocopherol, Tokopharm, tocotrienolsAntioxidant, growth maintenance, aids absorption of unsaturated fatty acids, maintains muscular metabolism and integrity of vascular system and central nervous system
Vitamin KProthrombin factor, menaquinonesBlood-clotting mechanisms, electron transport mechanisms, growth, prothrombin synthesis in liver

Nicotinamide, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, and Neuronal Health

Nicotinamide, the water-soluble amide form of vitamin B3, is a key component of the metabolic pathway involved in the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). One source of nicotinamide is the diet, via intake of eggs, meat, fish, and mushrooms. A second source of nicotinamide is the metabolism of endogenous tryptophan, an essential amino acid. Nicotinamide can also be generated from niacin via the formation of NAD+.
Nicotinamide is stored in only small quantities in the liver, with most being either excreted or catabolised to provide other key metabolic products. It is difficult to achieve adverse effects from excessive intake, even with pharmacologically high doses, but overdose can cause hepatotoxicity in rare cases.5
The enzyme, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), catalyses the synthesis of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) from nicotinamide (Figure 1). Its role in the metabolic pathway for the biosynthesis of NAD (oxidised form NAD+; reduced form NADH) suggests its importance in cells that are sensitive to decreases in NAD levels, such as neurons.6 NAD homeostasis has also been found to be altered with ageing710; thus, by influencing levels of NAD+ within neurons, nicotinamide may play a key role in neuronal maturation and neuroprotection.
Figure 1. Simplified schematic representation of the key pathways for the metabolism of nicotinamide, niacin, and tryptophan in the production of NAD+.
The enzyme NMN adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) converts NMN to NAD+ (Figure 1). Three isozymes, NMNAT1, 2, and 3, are localised to the nucleus, cytoplasm, or mitochondria, respectively.11 An increase in NMNAT activity has been shown to lead to axonal protection in cultured neurons undergoing Wallerian degeneration, through a rise in nuclear NAD levels, leading to activation of the NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1),12,13 implicating nicotinamide indirectly in neuroprotection.
In humans, nicotinamide undergoes some level of degradation, primarily through N-methylation to N-methyl nicotinamide via activity of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). As mentioned above, the remaining metabolism of nicotinamide produces the NAD coenzymes in both the oxidised and reduced forms (NAD+ and NADH) in addition to nicotinamide adenine nucleotide phosphate, which is vital in mitochondrial respiration to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), as well as being implicated in more than 200 enzymatic reactions including those conferring cell protective and antioxidant roles (Figure 1).1416
NAD+ can also be generated via tryptophan metabolism within the liver and kidneys17 and from dietary nicotinic acid and niacin. Tryptophan can be metabolised into small amounts of nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN) that can then be converted to NAD+. However, 60 mg of tryptophan is required to yield the equivalent amount of NAMN generated from 1 mg of niacin.18 Therefore, tryptophan is not a necessary supplement to many Western, niacin-rich diets,19 although tryptophan alone can be enough to prevent niacin deficiency.17 Tryptophan metabolism is a 9-step process and the first part of this, known as the kynurenine pathway,17 is altered in a number of neurodegenerative diseases including PD, Huntington’s disease (HD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)20,21 as well as other neurological disorders.22 This disruption may increase the production of neurotoxins2123 while also reducing NAD+ levels, leaving neurons more susceptible to damage. Thus, the finely balanced relationship between nicotinamide and NAD+ may greatly influence neuronal health. undergoes some level of degradation, primarily through N-methylation to N-methyl nicotinamide via activity of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). As mentioned above, the remaining metabolism of nicotinamide produces the NAD coenzymes in both the oxidised and reduced forms (NAD+ and NADH) in addition to nicotinamide adenine nucleotide phosphate, which is vital in mitochondrial respiration to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), as well as being implicated in more than 200 enzymatic reactions including those conferring cell protective and antioxidant roles (Figure 1).1416
NAD+ can also be generated via tryptophan metabolism within the liver and kidneys17 and from dietary nicotinic acid and niacin. Tryptophan can be metabolised into small amounts of nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN) that can then be converted to NAD+. However, 60 mg of tryptophan is required to yield the equivalent amount of NAMN generated from 1 mg of niacin.18 Therefore, tryptophan is not a necessary supplement to many Western, niacin-rich diets,19 although tryptophan alone can be enough to prevent niacin deficiency.17 Tryptophan metabolism is a 9-step process and the first part of this, known as the kynurenine pathway,17 is altered in a number of neurodegenerative diseases including PD, Huntington’s disease (HD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)20,21 as well as other neurological disorders.22 This disruption may increase the production of neurotoxins2123 while also reducing NAD+ levels, leaving neurons more susceptible to damage. Thus, the finely balanced relationship between nicotinamide and NAD+ may greatly influence neuronal health.

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