New Evidence Indicates NMN Supplementation Could Thwart Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetic nephropathy represents a major health concern, affecting up to 40% of diabetic individuals and standing as the principal cause of renal failure. The progression of this disease has been observed to coincide with metabolic disturbances and a skewed regulation of NAD+ within the kidney. NAD+ is a coenzyme that vital cell functions, including lifespan and health span, rely on. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) serves as the forerunner to NAD+ and has proven beneficial in several disease contexts when administered.
A research article published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephropathy outlined an investigation led by Yasuda and his team at Keio University. The researchers administered a short-term NMN supplementation to diabetic mice, noting long-term defense against the onset of diabetic nephropathy.
Over the course of two weeks, the mice received NMN injections (500 mg/kg) which resulted in reduced albuminuria - a condition characterized by abnormal protein accumulation in urine due to kidney damage. Notably, there was a significant rise in the survival rates. These promising results were linked to observable enhancements in the structure and function of the kidney, particularly its filtration mechanisms.
The Efficacy of Short-Term NMN Supplementation
The study highlighted the previously unseen long-term protective effect of short-term NMN administration on diabetic nephropathy. The researchers believed their findings could validate the concept of short-term NMN administration as a potential treatment for the early stages of this condition.
A Closer Look at NMN’s Impact on Kidney Function and Survival Rates
Yasuda's team sought to understand the effects of early NMN treatment before the manifestation of albuminuria and continued to track the impacts 20 weeks post-treatment. Mice that underwent NMN treatment demonstrated a sustained decrease in albuminuria levels when compared to the untreated diabetic mice. This effect prevailed even after the NMN intervention ceased.
Researchers also scrutinized the influence of NMN on kidney filtration efficiency. They evaluated creatinine filtration rates - a key indicator of kidney health. The findings hinted towards an improvement in this area, as seen through an increase in creatinine retention.
In another significant finding, the researchers observed improved survival rates and a considerable reduction in gastrointestinal tract perforation instances in the NMN-treated mice, further supporting the benefits of NMN administration.
Unraveling the Molecular and Structural Improvements Due to NMN
Yasuda and his team also investigated the molecular and structural changes in the kidneys of the NMN-treated mice. NMN treatment seemed to mitigate the enlargement and swelling of the glomeruli (the kidney substructures responsible for blood filtration) typically seen in diabetic nephropathy. The researchers also reported an increase in the count of podocyte foot processes, a substructure that acts as a filtration barrier and maintains regular kidney function. Disruptions in this area have been linked to glomerular disease.
NMN's Preventive Potential for Diabetic Nephropathy
This study postulated that short-term NMN supplementation could effectively hinder the long-term progression of diabetic nephropathy. These findings highlight NMN's potential as a preventive treatment strategy for this kidney disease, opening the door to further research and clinical applications.
Conclusion
This research presents exciting possibilities for the use of NMN supplements in the prevention and treatment of diabetic kidney disease. The enduring protection against diabetic nephropathy observed in this study, even after the cessation of NMN treatment, indicates NMN's potential in delaying the progression of kidney disease in diabetic patients. Future investigations should further probe NMN's potential in human clinical trials to verify these promising results.