NMN reduces ionizing radiation (IR) damage

 

Generally speaking, long-term exposure to environmental pollutants may cause chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, cell DNA damage, etc. These injuries may spread to multiple tissues and organs in the body, destroy immune function, affect reproductive function, and even increase the risk of Cancer risk.

NMN reduces ionizing radiation (IR) damage

In 2022, research published by the Institute of Radiological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, etc. found that "radiation therapy", commonly used in cancer treatment, will inevitably damage DNA through direct DNA damage or excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). bodily harm. NMN can improve DNA damage by increasing SIRT6 and SIRT7 levels and reducing ROS levels in cells, thereby alleviating the adverse consequences of ionizing radiation (IR).

Radiation therapy is one of the main treatments for cancer. Ionizing radiation can kill cancer cells, but it can also damage adjacent cells and destroy the physiological and biochemical functions of normal tissues. Data indicate that 60%–80% of patients receiving radiotherapy for abdominal and pelvic tumors exhibit early symptoms of bowel injury. Moreover, for the elderly, who are at high risk of cancer, their intestines are more sensitive to ionizing radiation due to factors such as changes in intestinal structure, reduced proliferation and regeneration capacity, but there is still no specific drug to rescue radiation. damage caused.

There are two major causes of harm to humans from ionizing radiation: direct DNA damage and oxidative stress. NRF2 is involved in anti-oxidation and DNA damage repair, and is a key protective factor against ionizing radiation damage. However, NRF2 levels decrease with age, and NRF2 deficiency exacerbates ionizing radiation-induced hematopoietic damage, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis, among others.

By knocking out NRF2 cells, the researchers observed a significant increase in cellular ROS levels. Since sirtuins can activate NRF2 to regulate the redox state, the researchers further measured the levels of all proteins of the sirtuins family (SIRT1-SIRT7). The results showed that the expressions of SIRT6 and SIRT7 were significantly decreased in NRF2 knockout (NRF2 KO) cells, which indicated that SIRT6 and SIRT7 were closely related to the NRF2 pathway.

A large number of studies have shown that NMN can effectively increase NAD+ levels and thereby activate the sirtuins protein family. After the researchers treated NRF2 knockout cells with NMN, they found that the levels of SIRT6 and SIRT7 increased, and the levels of ROS significantly decreased.

The researchers selected NRF2-deficient mice for further study and found that long-term oral administration of NMN attenuated jejunal radiation-induced damage, increased the number of intestinal stem cells, and promoted intestinal proliferation in NRF2-deficient mice.

Many previous studies have shown that NMN can repair cellular DNA damage, reduce ROS levels and oxidative stress, reduce chronic inflammation, restore mitochondrial function, etc., to play an anti-aging role. This study verified that NMN can also prevent and repair DNA damage and oxidative stress caused by radiation. This means that NMN has the potential to prevent and reduce radiation damage for radiation therapy patients and people who are often exposed to radiation.

*Special note - This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace a doctor's treatment diagnosis and advice. It should not be regarded as a recommendation or proof of efficacy of the medical products involved. If it involves disease diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, please be sure to go to a professional medical institution to seek professional advice.