As we age, we are more likely to develop retinal dysfunction, a complication of cardiovascular disease. The retina, the part of the eye responsible for receiving light signals, is prone to dysfunction due to cardiovascular disease, such as a blocked carotid artery.
Recently, Scientists from the Laboratory of Photobiology at the School of Medicine of Keio University in Japan published a paper titled "Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Protects against molecular science in the International Journal of molecular science Retinal Dysfunction ina Murine Model of Carotid Artery Occlusion ", which found that NMN can increase the level of NAD+ in the retina and activate antioxidant genes, And reduce the activation of glial cells, which are central nervous system (CNS) immune cells that promote inflammation and scar formation.
First, NMN treatment reduces retinal dysfunction
The team first performed carotid artery occlusion in adult male mice and injected them with 500 mg/kg/ day of NMN. It was found that NMN therapy significantly reduced retinal dysfunction caused by carotid artery occlusion.
2. NMN enhances the level of NAD+ and activates antioxidant genes
Cardiovascular dysfunction and vascular occlusion are often accompanied by oxidative stress - cellular stress caused by reactive oxygen molecules. NAD+ has been shown to help relieve oxidative stress, and NMN supplementation has been shown to increase NAD+ levels. Along these lines, Lee and colleagues examined levels of NAD+ and oxidative stress in the retina. The results showed that the supplementation of NMN increased the level of NAD+ and activated the antioxidant gene of Nrf2.
3. NMN prevents pro-inflammatory activation of glial cells
Glial cells are widely distributed in the central nervous system. In response to injury, glial cells are activated and aid in recovery. However, the activated cells also cause inflammation and scar formation, preventing tissue regeneration in the central nervous system of the injured area. It was found that NMN supplementation reduced this scarring in the retina after occlusion surgery, as well as reducing pro-inflammatory glial cell signaling molecules.
In conclusion, the study by Lee and colleagues suggests that NMN has a positive therapeutic effect on retinal damage, but given the differences between mice and humans, more research is needed before NMN can become a viable treatment option for patients with retinal dysfunction due to injury or age.
