November 13, 2024

Medical Trend

Medical News and Medical Resources

NMN Supplementation May Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Infertility

NMN Supplementation May Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Infertility



NMN Supplementation May Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Infertility

As cancer survival rates improve, preserving ovarian function and the limited ovarian reserve in female patients is becoming a critical concern. Chemotherapy, while effective at treating tumors, can result in long-term adverse health outcomes for female patients, including hormonal imbalance, early menopause, ovarian failure, and infertility. These conditions not only affect family planning but also contribute to premature ovarian aging, leading to symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency.

For younger women and those of childbearing age, fertility preservation options typically include freezing eggs, embryos, or ovarian tissue before starting chemotherapy. However, these procedures are time-consuming and may delay treatment, and they are not suitable for pediatric cancer patients. Additionally, even though cryopreservation techniques help safeguard fertility, they cannot prevent the endocrine and ovarian dysfunction associated with chemotherapy. This dysfunction can cause osteoporosis, metabolic issues, and cognitive decline over time. Access to advanced fertility preservation services is also often limited for many cancer patients.

One existing strategy involves the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, such as goserelin, in combination with chemotherapy to protect fertility in breast cancer patients. However, the effectiveness of this approach is inconsistent, highlighting the need for non-invasive strategies to preserve ovarian function and fertility during cancer treatment.


NMN as a Potential Non-Invasive Solution for Fertility Preservation

A new study by researchers at the University of New South Wales, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, explored the role of boosting NAD(P)+ metabolism in protecting fertility during chemotherapy.\

The study found that the NAD+ precursor, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), could serve as a non-invasive intervention to preserve ovarian function in cancer patients.

 

NMN Supplementation May Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Infertility

 

Beyond fertility, cancer survivors face increased risks of chronic illnesses, such as metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological, and bone-related diseases. Many of these conditions resemble biological aging, which presents further challenges for long-term health. Previous research has shown that certain anti-aging interventions—like rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) and PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitors—can prevent chemotherapy-induced ovarian decline, suggesting that interventions targeting aging may also protect fertility.

Recent findings indicate that the decline in fertility with age is linked to decreased levels of NAD+, an essential coenzyme involved in DNA repair and cellular energy metabolism. Supplementing NAD+ with NMN has been shown to reverse fertility decline even when administered after reproductive age. Other research has identified the enzyme CD38, which depletes NAD+ levels, as a key factor in ovarian aging. Inhibiting CD38 activity can prolong reproductive lifespan by maintaining higher NAD+ levels.


Study Findings and Implications

The research team used several approaches to investigate the impact of NAD(P)+ homeostasis on chemotherapy-induced infertility, including NMN supplementation and the overexpression of NAD+ biosynthesis enzymes (NMNAT1 and NMNAT3). The interventions were tested with chemotherapy agent doxorubicin, and the results showed that these treatments helped preserve ovarian function and fertility.

Importantly, NMN treatment in a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer not only protected fertility but also did not compromise the effectiveness of chemotherapy in inhibiting tumor growth. This finding suggests that NMN supplementation could be safely used alongside chemotherapy without reducing its anti-cancer efficacy.


Conclusion

This study presents NMN supplementation as a promising non-invasive strategy to maintain ovarian function during cancer treatment, potentially improving the long-term quality of life for female cancer patients. By protecting fertility without diminishing the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy, NMN could offer a safer approach to fertility preservation compared to traditional methods. However, further research is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of this approach in human patients.

Reference:
DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00119-w

NMN Supplementation May Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Infertility

______________________________

(source:internet, reference only)


Disclaimer of medicaltrend.org


Important Note: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice.