NAD⁺ Metabolisk omprogrammering: En ny terapeutisk vej mod tyktarmskræft og colitis
For nylig offentliggjorde et fælles forskningsteam fra Beijing Normal University og Academy of Military Medical Sciences en banebrydende undersøgelse i det internationalt anerkendte tidsskrift Avanceret videnskab. This study systematically revealed, for the first time, how an NAD⁺-dependent enzyme in intestinal epithelial cells—SIRT3—regulates local intestinal immune balance through modulation of NAD⁺ metabolism, opening up new directions for the precision treatment of colorectal cancer and colitis.

DEL 01
NAD⁺: The “All-Purpose Vital Factor” of Human Cells
Many people may still be unfamiliar with NAD⁺, yet it has long been deeply involved in nearly every core physiological process in the human body and can be regarded as an “all-rounder” within cells:Energimetabolismens motor: As a key coenzyme in the cellular respiratory chain, NAD⁺ converts sugars and fats from food into usable cellular energy, serving as a natural “power bank” that keeps the body functioning.
Vogter af DNA-reparation: Cellulært DNA udsættes konstant for skader fra frie radikaler og eksterne stressfaktorer. NAD⁺ aktiverer specialiserede reparationsenzymer, der hurtigt reparerer beskadigede gener og dermed reducerer sygdomsrisikoen forårsaget af genetiske mutationer.
Kerneregulator for immunitet: NAD⁺ regulerer direkte differentiering og aktivitet af immunceller, hvilket gør det muligt for kroppen nøjagtigt at identificere og eliminere patogener og tumorceller, samtidig med at immunhomeostase opretholdes.
Toneartsmodulator for aldring: NAD⁺-niveauerne falder naturligt med alderen, hvilket er en af de vigtigste drivkræfter for cellulær aldring og forringelse af organfunktion.
In the intestine, the role of NAD⁺ is particularly critical. It not only ensures the normal metabolism and renewal of intestinal epithelial cells, but also strengthens the “protective wall” of the intestinal mucosal barrier against harmful bacteria and toxins. At the same time, it precisely regulates local immune responses, acting as an invisible guardian of gut health.
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Et videnskabeligt gennembrud: Det centrale bindeled mellem NAD⁺ metabolisk omprogrammering og tarmsygdomme
Through rigorous animal experiments, cellular studies, and clinical data analyses, the joint research team from Beijing Normal University and the Academy of Military Medical Sciences clearly elucidated the regulatory mechanisms of NAD⁺ metabolism in colorectal cancer and colitis. The key findings can be summarized as “one switch, one pathway, and one collaboration.”(1) Nøglekontakten: Tovejsregulering af NAD⁺ af SIRT3
The study found that intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) express an enzyme called SIRT3, which acts as a “core switch” in NAD⁺ metabolism and is closely associated with the progression of colorectal cancer and colitis:When intestinal inflammation or tumors occur, SIRT3 expression in IECs is significantly upregulated, leading to a reduction in intracellular NAD⁺ levels and suppression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. As a result, immune cells “lose the signal” and fail to mount an effective defense.

Conversely, when SIRT3 function is deficient, the intestine activates a “self-rescue mechanism,” rapidly replenishing NAD⁺ through alternative metabolic pathways. This activates immune responses, effectively restricting colorectal tumor growth while enhancing resistance to bacterial infections.
(2) The Core Pathway: The IEC–NAD⁺–T Cell Immune Regulatory Axis
Immune balance lies at the heart of intestinal health, and NAD⁺ serves as the key “signaling bridge” between intestinal epithelial cells and immune cells:Som den første forsvarslinje for tarmbarrieren afhænger epitelcellefunktionen af tilstrækkelig tilførsel af NAD⁺.
When NAD⁺ levels are adequate, intestinal epithelial cells secrete pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, which specifically activate the IL-1R1 receptor on T cells.
Receptor activation promotes the differentiation of IFN-γ–producing CD4⁺ T helper 1 (T_H1) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). These immune cells are the main forces responsible for eliminating tumor cells and combating infections.
Dette danner i sidste ende en komplet reguleringskæde:
Intestinal epithelial cells → NAD⁺ → IL-1β → T cell activation.

Studiet viste, at SIRT3-mangel undertrykker væksten af kolorektal kræft netop fordi det styrker denne regulatoriske akse ved at hæve NAD⁺-niveauerne, hvilket gør det muligt for immunceller at målrette tumorceller præcist. I modsætning hertil forstyrrer SIRT3-overekspression denne vej, hvilket tillader tumorceller at undgå immunovervågning og forhindrer effektiv kontrol af inflammation.
(3) Et væsentligt samarbejde: Tarmmikrobiota bidrager til NAD⁺-syntese
Bemærkelsesværdigt nok er NAD⁺ metabolisk omprogrammering ikke en soloindsats fra tarmepitelcellerne. Tarmmikrobiotaen spiller en uundværlig støttende rolle:Tarmmikrober producerer en metabolit kendt som 3-hydroxyanthranilsyre (3-HA).
Efter at være trængt ind i intestinale epitelceller omdannes 3-HA til kinininsyre (QA).
QA serves as an efficient precursor for NAD⁺ synthesis, enabling rapid NAD⁺ production via compensatory pathways in the absence of SIRT3 and providing sufficient “energy” for immune regulation.

Da forskere eliminerede tarmmikrobiota med antibiotika, blev NAD⁺-forhøjelsen og tumorsuppressive effekterne forbundet med SIRT3-mangel signifikant svækket, hvilket direkte bekræftede tarmmikrobiotas afgørende rolle i NAD⁺-metabolisk omprogrammering.
DEL 02
Et videnskabeligt gennembrud: Det centrale bindeled mellem NAD⁺ metabolisk omprogrammering og tarmsygdomme
Through rigorous animal experiments, cellular studies, and clinical data analyses, the joint research team from Beijing Normal University and the Academy of Military Medical Sciences clearly elucidated the regulatory mechanisms of NAD⁺ metabolism in colorectal cancer and colitis. The key findings can be summarized as “one switch, one pathway, and one collaboration.”
(1) Nøglekontakten: Tovejsregulering af NAD⁺ af SIRT3
The study found that intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) express an enzyme called SIRT3, which acts as a “core switch” in NAD⁺ metabolism and is closely associated with the progression of colorectal cancer and colitis:When intestinal inflammation or tumors occur, SIRT3 expression in IECs is significantly upregulated, leading to a reduction in intracellular NAD⁺ levels and suppression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. As a result, immune cells “lose the signal” and fail to mount an effective defense.
Conversely, when SIRT3 function is deficient, the intestine activates a “self-rescue mechanism,” rapidly replenishing NAD⁺ through alternative metabolic pathways. This activates immune responses, effectively restricting colorectal tumor growth while enhancing resistance to bacterial infections.
(2) The Core Pathway: The IEC–NAD⁺–T Cell Immune Regulatory Axis
Immune balance lies at the heart of intestinal health, and NAD⁺ serves as the key “signaling bridge” between intestinal epithelial cells and immune cells:Som den første forsvarslinje for tarmbarrieren afhænger epitelcellefunktionen af tilstrækkelig tilførsel af NAD⁺.
When NAD⁺ levels are adequate, intestinal epithelial cells secrete pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, which specifically activate the IL-1R1 receptor on T cells.
Receptor activation promotes the differentiation of IFN-γ–producing CD4⁺ T helper 1 (T_H1) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). These immune cells are the main forces responsible for eliminating tumor cells and combating infections.
Dette danner i sidste ende en komplet reguleringskæde:
Intestinal epithelial cells → NAD⁺ → IL-1β → T cell activation.
Studiet viste, at SIRT3-mangel undertrykker væksten af kolorektal kræft netop fordi det styrker denne regulatoriske akse ved at hæve NAD⁺-niveauerne, hvilket gør det muligt for immunceller at målrette tumorceller præcist. I modsætning hertil forstyrrer SIRT3-overekspression denne vej, hvilket tillader tumorceller at undgå immunovervågning og forhindrer effektiv kontrol af inflammation.
(3) Et væsentligt samarbejde: Tarmmikrobiota bidrager til NAD⁺-syntese
Bemærkelsesværdigt nok er NAD⁺ metabolisk omprogrammering ikke en soloindsats fra tarmepitelcellerne. Tarmmikrobiotaen spiller en uundværlig støttende rolle:Tarmmikrober producerer en metabolit kendt som 3-hydroxyanthranilsyre (3-HA).
Efter at være trængt ind i intestinale epitelceller omdannes 3-HA til kinininsyre (QA).
QA serves as an efficient precursor for NAD⁺ synthesis, enabling rapid NAD⁺ production via compensatory pathways in the absence of SIRT3 and providing sufficient “energy” for immune regulation.
Da forskere eliminerede tarmmikrobiota med antibiotika, blev NAD⁺-forhøjelsen og tumorsuppressive effekterne forbundet med SIRT3-mangel signifikant svækket, hvilket direkte bekræftede tarmmikrobiotas afgørende rolle i NAD⁺-metabolisk omprogrammering.
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Nye terapeutiske retninger: Målretning af NAD⁺-metabolisme for præcisionsintervention
Baseret på disse banebrydende fund er målrettet NAD⁺ metabolisk omprogrammering fremstået som en lovende ny strategi til behandling af tarmkræft og colitis. Potentielle fremtidige interventioner omfatter:
Regulering af tarmens mikrobiota: Optimering af tarmmikrobiotaens sammensætning gennem probiotiske interventioner for at øge 3-HA-produktionen, levere tilstrækkelige råmaterialer til NAD⁺-syntese og forbedre det tarmende metaboliske miljø ved kilden.
Disse strategier overvinder begrænsningerne ved traditionelle symptomfokuserede behandlinger og adresserer i stedet sygdomsmekanismer på de grundlæggende niveauer af cellulær metabolisme og immunregulering, hvilket giver nye muligheder for præcisionsbehandling af tarmsygdomme.
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Bontac Bio: At låse op for NAD⁺ sundhedspotentiale gennem teknologi
As a national-level “Little Giant” enterprise specializing in biotechnology, Bontac Bio has long focused on the NAD⁺ field and is a pioneer in the NMN industry. Leveraging world-leading biocatalytic technologies and China’s first—and Guangdong Province’s only—provincial coenzyme engineering technology research center, Bontac Bio provides high-purity, high-activity NAD⁺ precursor ingredients.
Looking ahead, Bontac Bio will continue to closely follow scientific advances in NAD⁺ metabolism, drive continuous technological innovation, and fully unlock the health potential of this “molecule of life,” bringing new hope to patients with intestinal diseases.
Tarmsundhed er grundlaget for den generelle sundhed. Opdagelsen af NAD⁺ metabolisk omprogrammering har uddybet vores forståelse af behandling af tarmsygdomme. Fra grundforskning til klinisk anvendelse forbliver Bontac Bio engageret i professionalisme og videnskabelig stringens, støtter fremskridt inden for biomedicinsk videnskab og beskytter folkesundheden.