NMN Plus Apigenin Slows Bone and Muscle Loss in Old Mice
Graded Preliminary — experiments in cells and naturally aged mice; whether the results carry over to people was not tested.
Animal study. Findings may not carry over to people, which is why the grade is capped at Preliminary.
- Design
- Animal study
- Participants
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- Duration
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- Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key R&D Program of…
In old mice, the combination of NMN and apigenin eased the loss of cartilage, bone and muscle.
As the body ages, levels of NAD+ fall, a molecule that plays a key role in how cells age. Researchers in China tried to raise it from two sides at once. Old mice received NMN, a building block the body turns into NAD+. They also got apigenin, a compound that blocks an enzyme that uses up NAD+. The combination eased the breakdown of joint cartilage, bone and muscle in the animals. The mice could also exercise better.
The mice had aged naturally and were mostly 20 months old. They took the mix by mouth, while control mice got salt water. In cell experiments, NAD+ levels rose and signs of cell aging declined. In mice lacking SIRT3, an enzyme in the cell's power plants that uses NAD+, the benefits were partly smaller. Gut bacteria mattered too: microbes from treated mice reversed signs of aging in the cartilage, bone and muscle of old mice.
All results come from mice and cell cultures. Whether the combination protects human bones and muscles was not tested. The paper gives no dose or duration in its text and reports no safety data.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.