Mechanisms of the NAD salvage pathway in enhancing skeletal muscle function.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is crucial for cellular energy production, serving as a coenzyme in oxidation-reduction reactions. It also supports enzymes involved in processes such as DNA repair, aging, and immune responses. Lower NAD levels have been associated with various diseases, highlighting the importance of replenishing NAD+. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) plays a critical role in the NAD salvage pathway, which helps sustain NAD levels, particularly in high-energy tissues like skeletal muscle.This review explores how the NAMPT-driven NAD salvage pathway influences skeletal muscle health and functionality in aging, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and skeletal muscle injury. The review offers insights into enhancing the salvage pathway through exercise and NAD boosters as strategies to improve muscle performance. The findings suggest significant potential for using this pathway in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of skeletal muscle conditions.