Numerous studies conducted on mice have demonstrated the effectiveness of oral NMN treatment in treating anti-aging disorders and reducing blood triglyceride levels. A crucial molecule in the body is NAD+. NAD+ is absorbed as much as it can by the body, where it is transformed into molecular energy. As a result, NMN ingredient is thought to be the ideal NAD+ precursor for increasing its levels. Because NMN enters the bloodstream directly after being administered intravenously, it can be used as a potential treatment for lowering blood fat levels before even going through the liver for it to be metabolized. Oral NMN treatment has been shown to be safe, while injecting NMN intravenously is still unclear. However, these findings support the safety and efficacy of intravenous NMN treatment in healthy humans.
NMN metabolism
Ribose and nicotinamide together form nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). NMN with the help of certain enzymes creates NAD+. The body has the ability to transform NMN into NR, which can then enter cells and be transferred back into NMN by an enzyme known as nicotinamide riboside kinase (NRK).
NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) is the enzyme that enables nicotinamide (NAM) to be transformed into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NAM is converted to NMN and ultimately NAD+ in the body via NAMPT. NAMPT expression decreases with aging, so NMN, as the best NAD+ precursor, can help in changing this condition.
NMN exerts its activity via several pathways. One of them is the activation of sirtuins genes. The sirtuins genes (SIRT1) are responsible for repairing damaged DNA, reducing inflammation, protecting the heart and the DNA from oxidative stress, insulin production, glucose metabolism, elimination of reactive oxygen species, and more. NMN also activates the AMPK function, where AMPK improves mitochondrial function thus leading to healthy aging. NMN improves intestinal function by increasing NAD+ levels and reducing inflammation.
Because NMN has antioxidative and anti-inflammation effects, it can help destroy cancer cells, improve immunity, delay aging, and helps in fighting other age-related conditions.
The findings
In order to address age-related disorders, a recent study from Japan claims that intravenous administration of NMN can be safely metabolized. Ten healthy participants were included in this investigation, ages 20 to 70 years old, where 5 were men and 5 were women. They were given 300ml of NMN dissolved in saline and injected into their veins. Body temperature, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and pulse were all measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 hours before and after the injection, along with urine analysis at 1, 3, and 5 hours before and after the injection.
The participants were allowed to drink only water before the blood examination. They fasted for 12 hours before the injection.
The results
Before and after 5 hours of NMN injection, the body mass, body index, electrocardiograms, chest radiograms, and urine revealed no significant change or other abnormalities.
Kimura S, Ichikawa M, Sugawara S, et al. (September 05, 2022) Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Is Safely Metabolized and Significantly Reduces Blood Triglyceride Levels in Healthy Individuals. Cureus 14(9): e28812. doi:10.7759/cureus.28812
(The basic characteristics and urine parameters before and after intravenous administration of NMN.)
Body temperature, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and pulse did not change, and also plasma protein levels and glucose metabolism showed no differences.
Blood fat levels decreased, and intravenous NMN elevated NAD+ levels. Additionally, following NMN injection, LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels did not alter. However, the levels of triglycerides (TG) drastically drop after 5 hours of NMN injection.
Kimura S, Ichikawa M, Sugawara S, et al. (September 05, 2022) Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Is Safely Metabolized and Significantly Reduces Blood Triglyceride Levels in Healthy Individuals. Cureus 14(9): e28812. doi:10.7759/cureus.28812
(Triglyceride levels changed after NMN injection.)
They tested the patients’ blood plasma before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 h after intravenous NMN injection to see if there were any changes in the blood components and metabolic markers of the liver, pancreas, heart, and kidney. No significant differences were seen after the intravenous injection of NMN in both blood components and metabolic markers.
Kimura S, Ichikawa M, Sugawara S, et al. (September 05, 2022) Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Is Safely Metabolized and Significantly Reduces Blood Triglyceride Levels in Healthy Individuals. Cureus 14(9): e28812. doi:10.7759/cureus.28812
(Effects of intravenous NMN administration on ALT, ALP, RBC, and WBC cells.)
To determine if intravenous NMN can effectively and safely raise NAD+ levels in the blood, blood levels of NAD+ and NAD+/NADH were tested. Except for after 4 hours, there was a noticeable rise in NAD+ levels after 3 hours of NMN injection.
NAD+ levels within the body must be increased to stop aging. The sirtuins genes participate in this essential process. Sirtuins have the potential to be utilized as an anti-aging therapy. The higher the NAD+ levels are, the more activated sirtuins in the body are. Therefore, in order to achieve this, the researchers check if SIRT1 is active when NMN is administered intravenously. The nuclear SIRT1 levels have increased following NMN injection. Furthermore, the intravenous NMN treatment did not affect the cytosolic SIRT1 activation.
Kimura S, Ichikawa M, Sugawara S, et al. (September 05, 2022) Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Is Safely Metabolized and Significantly Reduces Blood Triglyceride Levels in Healthy Individuals. Cureus 14(9): e28812. doi:10.7759/cureus.28812
(Improved NAD+ levels and SIRT1 activation result from intravenous NMN treatment.)
The effect of NMN
A key element was revealed in this clinical trial. The pancreas, liver, heart, blood cells, and kidneys were unaffected by 300 mg of intravenous NMN treatment. Furthermore, 300 mg effectively raises NAD+ blood levels while being safe for human administration.
Other NMN administration methods, such as oral, nasal sprays, intraperitoneal injection, and others, have all been examined. All of them have no negative side effects when used on humans or rats. The intravenous NMN injection, however, has not been thoroughly investigated or comprehended. Thus, this study demonstrates the advantages of intravenous NMN injection.
Final thoughts
The study showed that this route of NMN administration provides no side effects and does not harm the organs or affect blood components, which makes it safe for humans. Triglyceride levels remained unchanged with other NMN administrations. Additionally, benefits that could not be obtained through oral or other forms of administration were accomplished with intravenous NMN injection.
References:
- Kimura, S., Ichikawa, M., Sugawara, S., Katagiri, T., Hirasawa, Y., Ishikawa, T., Matsunaga, W., & Gotoh, A. (2022). Nicotinamide mononucleotide is safely metabolized and significantly reduces blood triglyceride levels in healthy individuals. Cureus, 14(9), e28812. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28812
