Researchers discovered that drinking alcohol causes the body to release a harmful protein that triggers inflammation in the liver. They found that a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide riboside (NR) can block this protein and reduce liver damage in mice. The study shows how alcohol affects different parts of the body—specifically fat tissue and the liver—and how they communicate in ways that cause harm. This research suggests that taking NR supplements might be a simple nutritional way to protect the liver from alcohol-related injury, though human studies are still needed to confirm these findings.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a vitamin B3 supplement called nicotinamide riboside can reduce liver damage caused by alcohol by blocking a harmful protein that the body releases when exposed to alcohol.
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice were given alcohol in patterns similar to how some people drink. Researchers also used cells from mouse fat tissue and liver cells grown in dishes to understand the mechanisms.
  • Key finding: Nicotinamide riboside supplements reduced the harmful protein (eNAMPT) that alcohol causes the body to release, which in turn reduced liver inflammation and damage in mice exposed to chronic alcohol.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a potential nutritional strategy to protect the liver from alcohol damage, but these are early-stage findings from animal studies. Human clinical trials would be needed before recommending this as a treatment. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk to your doctor about liver health strategies.

The Research Details

This was a laboratory research study using mice and cell cultures to understand how alcohol damages the liver and how a vitamin B3 supplement might help. The researchers used multiple approaches: they exposed mice to alcohol over time, measured what happened in their bodies, used genetic techniques to turn off specific proteins, and tested whether nicotinamide riboside could reverse the damage.

The study involved growing cells from mouse fat tissue and liver cells in dishes, then exposing them to alcohol or the harmful protein to see what happened. The researchers also used advanced genetic analysis (RNA-seq) to identify which genes and proteins were activated during alcohol-related liver damage.

This multi-layered approach—combining whole animal studies, cell cultures, and genetic analysis—allowed the researchers to understand not just that something works, but how and why it works at a molecular level.

Understanding the mechanism (how something works) is crucial because it helps researchers develop better treatments and predict whether findings in mice might apply to humans. By identifying the specific protein (eNAMPT) that causes the problem and showing that a simple vitamin supplement can block it, this research provides a clear target for future medical interventions.

This study used rigorous scientific methods including genetic manipulation, multiple experimental approaches, and cell culture validation. However, it’s important to note that all experiments were conducted in laboratory settings using mice and cells, not humans. The findings are promising but preliminary. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed the work before publication. The main limitation is that results in mice don’t always translate directly to humans, so human clinical trials would be necessary before this could become a medical recommendation.

What the Results Show

When mice were exposed to chronic alcohol consumption, their fat tissue released increased amounts of a protein called eNAMPT into the bloodstream. This protein traveled to the liver and activated an inflammatory response (specifically, something called the NLRP3 inflammasome), which caused liver damage and inflammation.

When researchers gave mice nicotinamide riboside (a form of vitamin B3) as a supplement, it reduced the amount of eNAMPT being released from fat tissue. This reduction in the harmful protein led to less inflammation in the liver and less overall liver damage.

The researchers confirmed this worked by removing the eNAMPT protein directly and showing that this also reduced liver inflammation, proving that eNAMPT was the key culprit. They also tested this in cell cultures, showing the same pattern: eNAMPT from fat cells triggered inflammation in liver cells, but nicotinamide riboside blocked this effect.

The study found that the harmful effects of eNAMPT worked in a dose-dependent manner—meaning more of the protein caused more inflammation. This suggests the relationship is direct and measurable. The researchers also discovered that the protective effect of nicotinamide riboside specifically depended on reducing eNAMPT secretion, indicating that this is the primary mechanism of action rather than the supplement working through multiple pathways.

Previous research had identified eNAMPT as a problematic factor in alcoholic liver disease, but the exact mechanisms were unclear. This study builds on that work by showing specifically how eNAMPT causes inflammation and providing the first evidence that a simple nutritional intervention (nicotinamide riboside) can counteract this process. The findings align with growing research showing that fat tissue plays an important role in liver health and that communication between different organs can either protect or harm health.

The most significant limitation is that all experiments were performed in mice and cell cultures, not in humans. Mice don’t always respond to treatments the same way humans do. The study didn’t test different doses of nicotinamide riboside to find the optimal amount, and it didn’t examine long-term effects or potential side effects. The research also didn’t compare nicotinamide riboside to other potential treatments. Additionally, the study used laboratory mice that were specifically bred for research, which may not represent the genetic diversity of human populations.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, nicotinamide riboside cannot yet be recommended as a treatment for alcohol-related liver disease. The findings are promising (moderate confidence in the basic science) but are limited to animal studies. If you drink alcohol regularly or have liver disease, discuss liver protection strategies with your doctor. Do not self-treat with supplements without medical guidance, as some supplements can interact with medications or cause harm in certain conditions.

This research is most relevant to: people who drink alcohol regularly and are concerned about liver health, researchers studying alcoholic liver disease, healthcare providers treating liver disease, and pharmaceutical companies developing new treatments. This research should NOT be used as a reason to start taking nicotinamide riboside supplements without consulting a doctor. People with certain medical conditions or taking specific medications should be especially cautious about starting new supplements.

In the mice studied, protective effects were observed within the timeframe of the chronic alcohol exposure (typically several weeks in mouse studies). However, translating this to humans is uncertain. If human trials eventually occur, it could take months to years to see measurable improvements in liver function. Any real-world application would require proper clinical trials first.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly alcohol consumption (number of drinks and frequency) alongside liver health markers if available through your healthcare provider (such as liver enzyme tests). This creates a baseline to discuss with your doctor and helps identify patterns related to alcohol intake.
  • Use the app to set a goal for reducing alcohol consumption or tracking alcohol-free days. If your doctor approves nicotinamide riboside supplementation in the future, use the app to log daily supplement intake and any changes in how you feel (energy levels, digestion, etc.).
  • Establish a monthly check-in system to review alcohol consumption patterns and, if applicable, supplement adherence. Share this data with your healthcare provider during regular check-ups to monitor liver health through blood tests and clinical assessment.

This research is preliminary and based on animal studies and laboratory experiments. Nicotinamide riboside is not currently approved as a medical treatment for alcoholic liver disease. Do not start taking nicotinamide riboside or any supplement without consulting your healthcare provider, especially if you have liver disease, take medications, or have other health conditions. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you struggle with alcohol use, speak with a healthcare provider about evidence-based treatment options.