A Summary of a NAD⁺ Metabolism Scientific Review by Yusri et al. (2025)

Reviewed by John Cutts, PhD | Research & Development

Overview

The following summary reviews a scientific narrative review examining the role of NAD⁺ metabolism and its modulation of mitochondrial function in the context of aging and age-associated conditions.

Summary

The Role of NAD⁺ Metabolism and Its Modulation of Mitochondria in Aging and Disease

Published In: npj Metabolic Health and Disease

Study Design: Narrative scientific review

What Was Reviewed: This review examined the biological role of NAD⁺ in mitochondrial homeostasis and assessed strategies to modulate NAD⁺ levels in the context of aging and disease. The authors summarized mechanisms of NAD⁺ biosynthesis — including the de novo, Preiss–Handler, salvage, and NRK-mediated salvage pathways — as well as the enzymatic consumption of NAD⁺ by CD38, PARPs, sirtuins, and SARM1. The review further evaluated how NAD⁺-boosting interventions (precursor supplementation and enzyme modulation) affect mitochondrial quality control processes such as unfolded protein response (UPRᴹᵗ), mitophagy, mitochondrial membrane dynamics, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Preclinical and clinical evidence was organized by disease context.

About the Reviewer

Name & Title: John Cutts, Director of Research at Solaray
Credentials: PhD Pharmacology & Toxicology

Bio: John Cutts, Ph.D. earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from BYU-Idaho. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the dietary supplement space, with a focus on scientific substantiation, regulatory affairs, and product development. His graduate research centered on the health-related properties of botanical compounds. He currently works in research and development, where he evaluates clinical evidence for dietary supplement ingredients.

Reference

Yusri K, Jose S, Vermeulen KS, Tan TCM, Sorrentino V. The role of NAD⁺ metabolism and its modulation of mitochondria in aging and disease. npj Metabolic Health and Disease. 2025; 3(1):26. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40604314/

Back to blog

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a study “double-blind”?

In double-blind studies, participants and researchers are
both unaware of which participants are in the group taking the active
investigational product and which are part of a control group.

What makes a study “placebo-controlled”?

When studies are placebo-controlled one group takes an active
investigational product and the other group takes an inactive product that has
the same general appearances as the active treatment.

What is a placebo?

Placebos are inactive treatments. Researchers include placebos that have the same general characteristics as an active treatment.

They try to make them indistinguishable from the active treatment regarding
qualities like appearance, taste, and smell.

Why is statistical significance important?

Quality scientific studies look for more than just a numerical difference between treated groups and control groups. These studies also check mathematically for the possibility that any difference between groups might
happen by chance. A difference that is statistically significant is one where the change is not likely to be due to a chance fluctuation within a normal variance.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.