Research articles
ScienceAsia 51 (2025):ID 2025065 1-9 |doi:
10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2025.065
Nicotinamide riboside alleviates doxorubicin-induced
hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity by inhibiting ferroptosis
Yujie Dingc,?, Qian Shia,b,?, Zhuowen Wena,b,?, Zhiyong Wanga,b,?, Shining Xiea,b, Weili Liua,b,*, Hongfei Xua,b,*
ABSTRACT: Although doxorubicin (DOX) is often used to treat cancer, it causes iron-dependent and reactive oxygen
species-related ferroptosis and has serious effects on off-target organs, leading to limited therapeutic use. New evidence
suggests that nicotinamide riboside (NR), a micronutrient, may protect the liver and the kidney from injury. The precise
mechanism, however, is still unknown. This research aimed to examine the potential protective benefits of NR against
hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by DOX. We created DOX-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity models
in C57 mice, demonstrating liver and kidney dysfunction, collagen accumulation with inflammation, oxidative stress,
and apoptotic damage. The hepatorenal function and damage were evaluated by measuring serum levels of enzymes
and biochemical parameters as well as tissue iron and histochemical tissue staining. Intriguingly, pretreatment with
NR was associated with a decrease in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum creatinine, and
blood urea nitrogen levels. The reduction in histological damages including hemorrhages, localized necrosis, changes
of ultrastructure in liver and kidney tissues, and collagen accumulation was observed. The DOX-induced changes in
serum malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, glutathione, glutathione peroxidases, tissue iron accumulation and iron
content were all reversed by NR, demonstrating its antioxidative capabilities. Taken together, NR inhibits ferroptosis
to exert its curative benefits against DOX-induced acute hepatorenal toxicity.
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| a |
Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123 China |
| b |
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Translational Research for Brain Diseases, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123 China |
| c |
Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123 China |
* Corresponding author, E-mail: 405184703@qq.com, xuhongfei@suda.edu.cn
Received 23 Jun 2024, Accepted 0 0000
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