Can NMN Transform Kidney Health? Unveiling Its Revolutionary Potential

Kidney diseases have emerged as a significant and rapidly growing health concern in the U.S., affecting an astonishing 37 million Americans. Remarkably, many individuals with kidney disease remain unaware of their condition, with 9 out of 10 individuals undiagnosed. By 2020, kidney diseases had been the impetus for approximately 130,000 new cases of kidney failure. Moreover, it ranks as one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the country, even surpassing fatalities from breast or prostate cancer.

These statistics emphasize the critical importance of enhanced diagnostic methods and therapeutic interventions. While the disease can be attributed to various factors, diabetes, and high blood pressure stand out as the leading causes, accounting for a staggering 73% of new cases. Additionally, racial disparities are evident, with Black, Native, and Asian Americans, along with those of Hispanic ethnicity, facing considerably higher risks of kidney failure compared to their white counterparts.

In the unfolding narrative of kidney disease management, understanding its intricacies and nuances is pivotal. In this article, our objectives are to:

Explore the vital functions of kidneys and various kidney diseases.

Investigate NMN's role in kidney health and its rejuvenating effects.

Emphasize the importance of more human studies on NMN, acknowledging its success in mouse research.

By exploring these aspects, we aim to provide insights and potentially pave the way for more informed decision-making for individuals at risk of or living with kidney disease. [1] 

What Are Kidney Diseases? 

Your kidneys are like twin powerhouses seated snugly in your lower back, working tirelessly day and night. Picture them as nature's sophisticated coffee filters, purifying your blood, balancing fluids, and ensuring waste is properly discarded. But sometimes, just like any diligent worker, they can face challenges.

When folks discuss "kidney diseases," they're referring to a myriad of conditions that hinder these essential bean-shaped organs. Whether it's an inherited condition, a baffling immune response, tiny internal scars, or cyst-filled challenges, kidneys can undergo a lot. You might not feel the early warning signs, but as the situation escalates, you may sense fatigue, notice puffiness around your eyes, and see changes in your urine's color or frequency.

And here's the tricky part: if kidney diseases aren't tackled head-on, they could progress to more severe stages, possibly leading to a scenario where the kidneys nearly shut down, known as kidney failure.

But there's a silver lining! Most kidney ailments can be managed, halted, or even reversed. The secret sauce? Spotting them early and getting the right medical advice. 

As we transition into the next chapter, we'll delve into the intriguing science linking NMN and kidney health. [2] 

The Intriguing Science of NMN and Kidney Health

In this section, we will dive into the fascinating world of NMN and its promising role in kidney health. From rejuvenating aging kidneys to preventing damage, studies from global institutions hint at a revolution in kidney care. But there's a catch: most findings are based on mice. 

Intrigued? Let's delve deeper!

NMN May Help Protect Kidneys

As we age, our kidneys can get damaged, making it hard for them to do their job. This can lead to proteins leaking into our pee, which isn't good. Some people might need treatments like dialysis or even a new kidney if the damage gets too bad.

Scientists at Tokushima University in Japan have found some promising results with NMN that might help protect kidneys. They tested this on mice and saw that it helped fix the damage and made the kidneys work better. This research, published in Scientific Reports in 2022, shows that NMN boosts a helpful molecule in cells called NAD+ in addition to an enzyme related to living longer and healthier. The enzyme helps lessen the damage to kidney tissues.

The team also noticed that NMN can bring back the number of special kidney cells that act like filters. This is a big deal because it suggests NMN can help kidneys do their filtering job better.

In the experiments, the researchers gave medicine to mice that cause kidney damage. When they treated these mice with NMN, the damage got better. This offers hope that NMN might be a new way to help people with kidney problems in the future, without the need for tough treatments. [3] 

NMN Might Help Protect Diabetic Mice Kidneys

Many diabetic patients face kidney problems. These problems are connected to a substance our cells need, NAD+. NMN can boost NAD+ and has helped with various health issues.

In a study from Keio University published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology in 2021, researchers found that giving diabetic mice NMN for a short time protected their kidneys. The mice were treated for two weeks, and it helped reduce a problem where too much protein was found in their pee. This protein issue is a sign of kidney damage. The treatment also improved the overall health and shape of parts of the kidney essential for cleaning the blood.

The researchers found that just a short period of NMN treatment can have long-term benefits for diabetic mice. They think NMN might be a promising treatment to protect the kidneys of diabetic patients.

In this study, mice that got NMN had better kidney health even after stopping the treatment. The treated mice also lived longer and had fewer stomach problems.

Lastly, the study showed that NMN helped keep the kidney's filtering system in good shape, which is vital for preventing kidney disease. [4] 

NMN Helps Prevent Kidney Scarring in Mice

Researchers in Beijing published a study in Frontiers in Physiology in 2021. They found that NMN might help stop kidney scarring after damage. They learned that NMN can prevent kidney cells from getting old and damaged.

NMN helps create NAD+. Our kidneys need a lot of NAD+ because they're always working hard. Giving NMN can boost NAD+ levels and help the kidneys recover.

To see if NMN really works, the researchers did some tests on kidney cells. They damaged the cells and then gave them NMN. The NMN helped the cells a lot! They also tested it on mice and found that it helped reduce kidney scarring.

The researchers said NMN might be a good treatment for damaged kidneys in the future. But they need to do more studies to make sure it works on people. [5]

More Evidence in Favor of NMN: The SIRT1 Connection

Scientists from China, as detailed in the journal Cell Death Discovery in 2021, brought another piece to the NMN puzzle. They stumbled upon a protein named SIRT1, which seemed to be a potential shield against kidney scarring in mice. But here's the twist: for SIRT1 to flex its muscles, it needs the assistance of NAD+.

Enter NMN. When NMN boosts NAD+ levels, it's like giving a supercharger to SIRT1, letting it work at its best.

But there's more to the story. When the researchers hit the brakes on SIRT1 in mice, kidney damage took a nasty turn. They also spotlighted another protein, HIF-2α, dancing in the shadows of kidney scarring. Interestingly, when NMN played its NAD+ boosting tune, HIF-2α's levels dipped – a very promising sign.

However, this revelation was drawn from mice. Before we paint NMN as the savior for human kidneys, more rigorous research awaits. [6] 

NMN Might Help Keep Kidneys Young

In a study published in Aging in 2020, scientists from Beijing's Tsinghua University examined how mouse kidneys age and if NMN could rejuvenate older kidneys. 

Their findings revealed that NMN balanced key kidney proteins, potentially aiding in treating aging kidneys. Aging often reduces our kidneys' waste-cleaning efficiency, increasing the risk of kidney issues. One reason might be the decline of NAD+ with age, which NMN appears to boost. 

In mice tests, NMN showed promise by mimicking the properties of younger kidneys and enhancing waste-removal components in cells. Deng and his team suggest that NMN could maintain kidney health during aging and that studying kidney proteins could further illuminate the aging process. The next step is to test these findings in humans. [7] 

Conclusion

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