As we grow older, we are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular complications-retinal dysfunction. The retina is the part of the eye responsible for receiving light signals, which can easily lead to retinal dysfunction due to cardiovascular diseases (such as carotid artery occlusion).

Recently, Scientists from photobiology laboratory of medical college of Keio University in Japan published in the International Journal of Molecular Science the title "Nicotina mide mononucleotideprotections against final dysfuntion in a murin" E Model of Carotid Artery Occlusion ",which found that NMN can increase NAD+ level in retina, activate antioxidant genes, and reduce the activation of glial cells (glial cells are immune cells of central nervous system (CNS), which will promote inflammation and scar formation after activation).

1. NMN prevents retinal dysfunction caused by cardiovascular injury.

The research team first performed carotid artery occlusion surgery on adult male mice and injected them with NMN of 500 mg/kg/ day. Results NMN treatment significantly reduced retinal dysfunction caused by carotid artery occlusion.

2.NMN can increase NAD+ level in retina and activate antioxidant genes.

Cardiovascular dysfunction and vascular occlusion are usually accompanied by oxidative stress-cellular stress caused by reactive oxygen species. NAD+ has been shown to help alleviate oxidative stress, and NMN supplementation has been shown to increase the level of NAD+. According to this idea, Lee and his colleagues detected NAD+ level and oxidative stress in retina. The results showed that NMN supplementation increased the level of NAD+ in retina and activated the antioxidant gene of Nrf2.

3. NMN can prevent the inflammatory activation of glial cells.

Glial cells are widely distributed in the central nervous system. In response to injury, glial cells will be activated and help to recover. However, activated cells can also cause inflammation and scar formation, thus preventing tissue regeneration of the central nervous system in the injured area. It was found that NMN supplementation reduced this scar in retina after occlusion surgery, and also reduced the signal molecules of pro-inflammatory glial cells. In conclusion, the research of Lee and his colleagues shows that NMN has a positive therapeutic effect on retinal damage, but considering the differences between mice and humans, more research is needed before NMN becomes a feasible treatment option for patients with retinal dysfunction caused by injury or age.

Literature source: 1. Lee, D.; Tomita, Y.; Miwa, Y.; Jeong, H.; Shinojima, A.; Ban, N.; Yamaguchi, S.; Nishioka, K.; Negishi, K.; Yoshino, J.; Kurihara, T. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Protects against Retinal Dysfunction in a Murine Model of Carotid Artery Occlusion. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 14711. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232314711