Dynamics of blood NAD and glutathione in health, disease, aging and under NAD-booster treatment

Euro, L., Haimilahti, K., Jansson, S., Forsström, S., Buzkova, J., Suomalainen, A.

Research Programs Unit, Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, Haartmaninkatu 8, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014 FinlaResearch Programs Unit, Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, Haartmaninkatu 8, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014 Finla · biorxiv

Paper

Abstract

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and glutathione are vital molecules that control redox-state, enzyme functions and metabolic flux in hundreds of cellular metabolic reactions. High NAD+ level occurs in fasting and has been associated with health outcomes in model systems, while low NAD+/NADH ratio occurs in specific diseases. Still, the normal, booster-treated or disease-related levels of NADs or glutathiones are not well known in humans. Here, we present a standardized technology for high-throughput quantitative measurement of NAD+, NADH, NADP+, NADPH, GSH, and GSSG from a single whole-blood sample. In healthy population (n=299;18-70 year-olds) redox metabolites follow normal distribution in blood and remain unchanged during aging. NAD-boosting increased 4-6 fold the blood NAD+ depending on individual, pointing to need of personalized dose adjustment in treatment trials. In patients with cancer, diabetes or neurodegeneration, NADs and glutathiones showed disease-dependent \'\'redox fingerprints\'\'. The evidence highlights the potential of redox profiling as an indicator of metabolic pathology and as a measure of treatment response.

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Research summary

The paper claims that redox profiling of NAD and glutathione levels can serve as indicators of metabolic pathology and treatment response. This research is relevant as it explores the role of NAD and glutathione in aging and disease, potentially addressing underlying metabolic processes that contribute to age-related decline.

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