
Researchers at University of Copenhagen and Bispebjerg Hospital in Denmark have released new data suggesting a common vitamin could be a useful tool in treating COPD.
“In our study, we show that nicotinamide riboside, also known as vitamin B3, can reduce lung inflammation in COPD patients,” said co-author Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, MD, PhD, in a news release.
The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, which was published in Nature, included 40 COPD patients and 20 healthy control subjects, who received either a placebo or vitamin B3 in doses of two grams per day.
The results showed a significant drop in interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients treated with the vitamin. After six weeks, researchers saw a 53% drop in IL-8 levels. After another 12 weeks, there was a 63% drop.
“Even though the results are promising, we need to carry out more studies on larger populations to confirm our findings and to determine the long-term effects of nicotinamide riboside in treatment for COPD,” said Dr. Scheibye-Knudsen, who is associate professor and group leader of the Center for Healthy Aging at University of Copenhagen.
The study also showed that COPD patients have lower levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in the blood. This is associated with accelerated aging based on DNA methylation levels. Treatment with vitamin B3 resulted in higher NAD levels and showed signs of delaying cellular aging.
“As we age, we seem to metabolize (NAD). The loss of this molecule is also seen after DNA damage — for instance, the type of damage associated with smoking,” Dr. Scheibye-Knudsen said.
That means vitamin B3 may influence the aging process, which makes it a possible target for future treatment and more studies.