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A member of the vitamin B family shows promise for patients with COPD In a small study, patients who took daily doses of nicotinamide riboside had less inflammation in their lungs Inflammation can harm lung function FRIDAY, Nov. 22, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- A daily dose of vitamin B3 reduced inflammation in the lungs of patients with COPD , Danish researchers report. "This is significant, because inflammation can lead to reduced lung function in these patients," said researcher Morten Scheibye-Knudsen , of the University of Copenhagen.
Patients with COPD -- the full name of which is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- are more likely to get pneumonia, influenza and other serious respiratory infections, which can be fatal. The new study included 40 participants with COPD and a control group of 20 healthy volunteers. They received either 2 grams a day of nicotinamide riboside -- a member of the vitamin B3 family -- or a placebo.
After six weeks, researchers saw a 53% drop in a marker of inflammation known as interleukin 8, or IL 8. After 12 more weeks of vitamin therapy, the effect increased by 63%. "In other words," the researchers said in a university news release, "The group treated with vitamin B3 experienced reduced lung inflammation during the study.
" More study will be needed to confirm the findings and determine the long-term effect of nicotinamid riboside in treating COPD, Scheibye-Knudsen said. During the study, the team also observed that COPD patients have lower blood levels of a chemical called NAD, which appears to play a role in the aging process. NAD levels rose with vitamin B3 treatment and signs of cellular aging slowed, researchers reported Nov.
15 in the journal Nature Aging . "As we age, we seem to metabolize a molecule known as NAD," Scheibye-Knudsen said. "The loss of this molecule is also seen after DNA damage, for instance the type of damage associated with smoking.
" As such, he said NAD may be a target for future research and treatment. Meanwhile, his team plans a larger study to confirm the initial findings. "We hope this research will pave the way for new treatment options for COPD patients," Scheibye-Knudsen said.
More information There's more about COPD at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute . SOURCE: University of Copenhagen, news release, Nov. 20, 2024 Patients with COPD may want to ask their doctor if taking vitamin B3 would be helpful.
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