Acute nicotinamide riboside supplementation improves redox homeostasis and exercise performance in old individuals: a double-blind cross-over study

Purpose Older individuals suffer from low NADH levels. We have previously shown that nicotinamide riboside [NR; a NAD(P)(H) precursor] administration impaired exercise performance in young rats. It has been suggested that supplementation of redox agents exerts ergogenic effect only in deficient individuals. We hypothesized that old individuals would more likely benefit from NR supplementation. We investigated the effect of acute NR supplementation on redox homeostasis and physical performance in young and old individuals. Methods Twelve young and twelve old men received NR or placebo in a double-blind cross-over design. Before and 2 h after NR or placebo supplementation, blood and urine samples were collected, while physical performance ( V O 2max , muscle strength, and fatigue) was assessed after the second blood sample collection. Results At rest, old individuals exhibited lower erythrocyte NAD(P)H levels, higher urine F 2 -isoprostanes and lower erythrocyte glutathione levels compared to young ( P