Summary: Exploring the Effects of NMN on Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Health
Introduction: A recent study investigated the effects of long-term Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) treatment on gut microbiota diversity and composition. NMN is a molecule involved in NAD+ metabolism, which has been the focus of biological research due to its potential health benefits. Understanding the impact of NMN on gut microbiota and intestinal health could shed light on its potential therapeutic applications.
Methods
The study involved female C57BL/6J mice treated with different concentrations of NMN. Feces were analyzed for microbial composition using 16S rDNA sequencing, and non-targeted metabolomics analysis was performed. Intestinal permeability and mucosal integrity were assessed through various assays, and statistical analyses were performed to determine significant findings.
Findings
The study revealed that NMN treatment altered the composition of the gut microbiota, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as butyric acid producers and Akkermansia muciniphila, while decreasing harmful bacteria like Bilophila and Oscillibacter. NMN also increased the concentration of bile acid-related metabolites in the feces, which can have positive effects on gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal integrity. Furthermore, NMN treatment improved intestinal barrier function by increasing goblet cell number, mucus thickness, and the expression of tight junction proteins.
Discussion
The findings suggest that NMN has potential protective effects on the intestinal tract by modulating the gut microbiota and enhancing intestinal barrier function. This is important because an imbalance in the gut microbiota can lead to metabolic diseases. NMN’s influence on gut microbiota, metabolites, and intestinal barrier dysfunction is still not fully understood and requires further research.
Ethical Considerations and Declarations
The study involving animals followed an ethical review process and was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Jiangsu University. The authors disclosed no commercial or financial relationships that could create a conflict of interest, ensuring the objectivity and integrity of their research. The authors' claims and opinions expressed in the article are their own and do not represent their affiliated organizations, the publisher, editors, or reviewers. The research was funded by various organizations, with the authors expressing their gratitude for the support received.
Conclusion
This study provides valuable insights into the effects of long-term NMN treatment on gut microbiota diversity, metabolites, and intestinal health. The findings lay the groundwork for further exploration of NMN's potential applications in clinical research. Understanding the mechanisms by which NMN impacts gut microbiota could lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions for various gut-related disorders.
Title of paper: NMN Maintains Intestinal Homeostasis by Regulating the Gut Microbiota
Author(s): Huang P, Jiang A, Wang X, Zhou Y, Tang W, Ren C, Qian X, Zhou Z, Gong A.
Year published: 2021
Published in: Front Nutr
Original article can be found here.
