NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) — the fuel of mitochondria
In short
Central coenzyme in cellular respiration studied in models of energy metabolism, DNA repair, and sirtuin activation.
Overview
is a small molecule — a coenzyme — that your cells use as an electron carrier in energy-production reactions. It is not a peptide, but it is central to everything we study around aging and mitochondrial function. Levels drop sharply with age (~50% between ages 20–50), which makes exogenous
functions as an electron carrier in cellular respiration, transferring electrons to the mitochondrial electron transport chain to generate . It also acts as a signaling molecule and substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1-7) and PARPs, which are critical for DNA repair and genomic stability. By replenishing systemic pools, cellular metabolism is optimized and age-related metabolic decline is mitigated.
Molecular information
* Technically not a peptide — included in the catalog because of its central role in longevity research and the similar route of administration via s.c. or IV.
First-order decay curve at 0.2h half-life from literature. Educational only.
Research indications
Grouped by area. Each entry reflects a separate published hypothesis or clinical signal - not medical advice.
Sirtuins (SIRT1–7) are a family of 7 enzymes that regulate DNA repair, apoptosis (controlled cell death), and metabolic stress. They depend on as an obligate partner — without they simply do not work. Sinclair and colleagues at Harvard documented that restoring in aged mice activates SIRT3 in mitochondria and reverses part of the age-related metabolic shift within 7 days [1]. If your work involves in vitro cellular aging models (e.g. senescence markers such as p16 or β-galactosidase), at 100–500 µM in culture is a standard positive control.
Flushing (IV)
common
Chest tightness with rapid IV
common
Nausea
common
Injection-site reaction (s.c.)
common
Headache
uncommon
6 peer-reviewed sources
References
Links to peer-reviewed publications on PubMed, cited in the peptide's scientific profile.
Sinclair 2018 — Loss of NAD homeostasis in aging and disease
Review | n/a (review) | n/a | Systematic review: NAD+ levels fall with age in multiple tissues (~50% in skeletal muscle between 20-50 years); restoration activates sirtuin-dependent pathways and reverses some metabolic changes in animal models
Cell · 2018
View the studyGrant 2019 — Pilot study of intravenous NAD+ infusion
Phase 1 / pharmacokinetics | 750 mg IV over 6 hours | 6 hours single infusion | Plasma levels of NAD+ metabolites increase significantly; no serious adverse events (n=11)
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · 2019
View the studyVerdin 2015 — NAD+ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration
Review | n/a (review) | n/a | NAD+ depletion impairs mitochondrial function and accelerates cellular aging; replenishment strategies preserve metabolic health
Science · 2015
View the studyInformation about NAD+ is based on published scientific research and is intended for research purposes only. Not medical advice.
Products are for in vitro laboratory research only. Not approved for human consumption.
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