+1 (629)348-3199Commentary - Journal of Public Health and Nutrition (2023) Volume 6, Issue 1
An important molecule for life: The cellular energy sensor ′NAD+′.
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) has essential functions in metabolism. NAD+ is an oxidizing agent and it accepts electrons from other molecules and becomes reduced. The balance between the oxidized and reduced forms of NAD is called the NAD+/NADH ratio. In metabolism, NAD+ is involved in redox reactions, carrying electrons from one reaction to another, therefore, found in two forms in cells. This ratio is an important component of what is called the redox state of a cell, a measurement that reflects both the metabolic activities and the health of cells. NAD+ is also involved in fundamental metabolic processes including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation leading to energy production. NAD+ has been shown to be the key substrate for poly(ADP-ribosyl)polymerases, NAD+ glycohydrolases, and histone deacetylases known as sirtuins. These enzymes have been termed ‘NAD+’ consumers, and are involved in modulation of DNA repair, maintenance of intracellular calcium homeostasis and immunological roles, and epigenetically modulated gene expression. In conclusion, researchers focus on the metabolism of NAD+ is used by the body as area of intense researches on unravelling the secrets of our cellular ‘energy sensor’ NAD+ for promoting healthy ageing. Therefore, researches in the last two decades have shown that NAD+ is more than a mere regulator of metabolism, but rather may play a key role in the ageing process.
Author(s): Zeliha Selamoglu*