What is the Difference Between Nicotinamide Riboside and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

The key difference between nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide is that nicotinamide riboside is a pyridine nucleoside that is very similar to vitamin B3_, while nicotinamide mononucleotide is a nucleotide derived from ribose, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, and niacin.

Nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide are two precursor molecules for the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺). It is very important for the body’s metabolism. NAD⁺ level decreases significantly when aging. With the restoration of NAD⁺ levels in the body, it is found that animals can extend their lifespan and promote health.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Nicotinamide Riboside 
3. What is Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
4. Similarities – Nicotinamide Riboside and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
5. Nicotinamide Riboside vs Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Nicotinamide Riboside vs Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

What is Nicotinamide Riboside?

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a pyridine nucleoside that is very similar to vitamin B_3. It functions as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). The molecular weight of nicotinamide riboside is 255.25 g/mol. It was first described in 1944 as a growth factor (factor V) for Hemophilus influenzae bacterium, which lives and depends on the blood. Due to its similarity to vitamin B3, it is categorized under the family of vitamin B3. This family also contains niacin and niacinamide. Nicotinamide riboside is found in fruits, vegetables, meat, and milk. In the body, it transforms into an important chemical called NAD+. NAD+ is very important for many processes in the human body. Low levels of NAD+ can cause various health problems. Taking nicotinamide riboside can raise the level of NAD+ in the human body.

People normally use nicotinamide riboside for anti-aging effects and to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and for many other purposes. Nicotinamide riboside is usually taken orally. The side effects of an overdose of nicotinamide riboside may include nausea, bloating, and skin problems such as itching and sweating.

What is Nicotinamide Mononucleotide?

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a nucleotide derived from ribose, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, and niacin. Humans normally have enzymes that can use NMN to produce NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). In mice, NMN can enter through the small intestine and convert to NAD+ by the Slc12a8 transporter. NMN is naturally found in fruits and vegetables like edamame, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, and avocado. As NADH is a cofactor for processes inside mitochondria and for Sirtuins (SIRTs) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), NMN is claimed to be a potential neuroprotective and anti-aging agent. Recent studies have shown that NMN improves muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women and improves aerobic capacity in amateur runners. However, the overdose of NMN can cause adverse effects on organs like the kidney, liver, pancreatic β-cells, and cells in plasma and can also induce nausea, stomach, discomfort, and headaches.

The molecular structures of NMN and NR are roughly the same. However, they differ because NMN has an added phosphate group, making it a larger molecule. Furthermore, both NR and NMN can be degraded by enzymes such as CD38. But this enzyme can be inhibited by compounds such as CD38-IN-78c.

What are the Similarities Between Nicotinamide Riboside and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide?

• Nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide are two precursor molecules for the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
• Both are naturally found in fruits and vegetables.
• They can be consumed as supplements to enhance the level of NAD+ in the human body.
• Both NR and NMN can be degraded by enzymes such as CD38.
• These molecules can cause side effects in the human body due to overdose.

What is the Difference Between Nicotinamide Riboside and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide?

Nicotinamide riboside is a pyridine nucleoside that is very similar to vitamin B_3, while nicotinamide mononucleotide is a nucleotide derived from ribose, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, and niacin. Thus, this is the key difference between nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide. Furthermore, nicotinamide riboside is a smaller molecule, while nicotinamide mononucleotide is a larger molecule with a phosphate group.

The below infographic presents the differences between nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Nicotinamide Riboside vs Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

Nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide are two precursor molecules for the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. NAD+ is very important for the metabolism of the human body. Nicotinamide riboside is a pyridine nucleoside that is very similar to vitamin B_3. Unlike NMN, NA lacks a phosphate group. Nicotinamide mononucleotide is a nucleotide derived from ribose, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, and niacin. So, this summarizes the difference between nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide.

Reference:

1. “Nicotinamide Riboside: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD.
2. Nadeeshani, Harshani, et al. “Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) as an Anti-Aging Health Product – Promises and Safety Concerns.” Journal of Advanced Research, Elsevier, 11 Aug. 2021.

Image Courtesy:

1. “NMN vs NR” By Brettjweiss – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “NudC & RppH hydrolysis of NCIN capped and ATP capped RNAs, respectively” By Sungyeob – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia