Nicotinamide riboside improves parasite control in mice

In mice infected with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, treatment with nicotinamide riboside improved immune control by supporting CD8+ T cells, according to a preprint on bioRxiv. Acute infection induced metabolic remodeling in parasite-specific and effector CD8+ T cells, characterized by increased glycolysis, altered mitochondrial homeostasis, oxidative stress, and increased CD38 expression. In cell cultures and infected mice, nicotinamide riboside improved mitochondrial function, reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, lowered CD38 expression, decreased apoptosis, and enhanced effector responses. In vivo, the supplement raised intracellular NAD+ in CD8+ T cells, which was accompanied by reduced parasitemia and lower skeletal muscle parasite burdens. Furthermore, transient supplementation was associated with persistent metabolic and functional changes in memory CD8+ T cells during chronic infection.