NAD+

NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an essential cellular coenzyme involved in redox metabolism and energy production across all living systems. It functions as a critical electron carrier by cycling between its oxidized (NAD⁺) and reduced (NADH) states, enabling mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic energy transfer in experimental models. Beyond its metabolic role, NAD⁺ serves as a required substrate for sirtuins and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), enzymes involved in DNA repair, gene expression regulation, and cellular stress responses. Preclinical research utilizes NAD⁺ to investigate mitochondrial homeostasis, muscle metabolism, neuroprotection, and molecular mechanisms associated with aging and cellular resilience.

References:
Cantó C et al., Cell Metab, 2015 22(1):31–53
Verdin E, Science, 2015 350(6265):1208–1213
Yoshino J et al., Cell Metab, 2018 27(3):529–547