Association of Human Whole Blood NAD⁺ Contents With Aging

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Gerontology
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is linked to aging processes.
• Previous research has primarily focused on the general association between NAD+ and aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between whole blood NAD+ levels and aging in a large community-based population.
• To determine the impact of gender on the association between NAD+ levels and aging.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 1,518 healthy adults (≥18 years) from the Jidong community.
• Measured whole blood NAD+ using cycling assay and LC-mass spectroscopy.
• Analyzed NAD+ levels in relation to chronological age and gender using regression models.

Main Results:

• Whole blood NAD+ levels were higher in men than in women.
• A decline in NAD+ was observed with aging before 50 years, but this trend disappeared after 50.
• The association between NAD+ and aging differed significantly by gender; NAD+ loss with aging was observed only in men, particularly those aged 60 and above.

Conclusions:

• The association between whole blood NAD+ and aging is gender-dependent.
• NAD+ levels decrease with aging primarily in males, especially in middle-aged and older populations.
• Future NAD+-related research must account for gender-specific differences.