Nikotinamid adenin dinukleotid in pomlajevanje kože: molekularni mehanizmi in potencial v estetski medicini

Šlebnik Krecenbaher, Alja (author), Bratkovič, Tomaž (mentor)

Staranje kože predstavlja kompleksen biološki proces, ki vključuje spremembe v celični presnovi, mitohondrijski funkciji, oksidativnem ravnovesju ter celični senescenci. Pomembno vlogo pri teh procesih ima nikotinamid adenin dinukleotid (NAD⁺), ki deluje kot ključni koencim v energijskem metabolizmu in regulator številnih signalnih poti. Zaradi njegove vloge pri popravljanju DNA, uravnavanju oksidativnega stresa in ohranjanju mitohondrijske funkcije NAD⁺ vse pogosteje obravnavamo kot pomemben dejavnik pri staranju kože. Namen diplomske naloge je analizirati vlogo NAD⁺ v procesih staranja kože ter ovrednotiti njegov potencial kot biološko aktivno snov v dermatologiji in estetski medicini. Naloga temelji na pregledu znanstvene literature, ki obravnava presnovo NAD⁺, njegove biosintezne poti, mehanizme upada v starajočih se celicah ter vpliv na temeljne celične procese. Rezultati kažejo, da se raven NAD⁺ s staranjem zmanjšuje, kar je povezano z mitohondrijsko disfunkcijo, povečanim oksidativnim stresom in nastankom celične senescence. Povečana poraba NAD⁺ preko encimov, kot so poli(ADP‑ribozil) polimeraze in CD38, skupaj z zmanjšano biosintezo prispeva k njegovemu upadu. Posledično pride do poslabšanja celične funkcije, zmanjšane sposobnosti regeneracije kože ter sprememb v strukturi zunajceličnega matriksa. Analiza je pokazala, da NAD⁺ predstavlja pomembno regulatorno molekulo, ki povezuje presnovne, genetske in signalne mehanizme staranja. Uporaba njegovih prekurzorjev, kot so nikotinamid, nikotinamid ribozid in nikotinamid mononukleotid, lahko prispeva k izboljšanju celične funkcije, vendar so njihovi učinki odvisni od biološke uporabnosti, presnovne aktivnosti ter celičnega vnosa. Sklepamo lahko, da NAD⁺ predstavlja obetavno, vendar kompleksno biološko aktivno snov, ki jo je smiselno obravnavati kot del celostnega pristopa k upočasnjevanju staranja kože. Njegova vloga presega klasično funkcijo koencima in vključuje regulacijo bistvenih procesov, ki določajo funkcionalno stanje in odpornost kožnih celic.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: celična senescenca, estetska medicina, mitohondrijska disfunkcija, NAD⁺, oksidativni stres, staranje kože
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.11 - Undergraduate Thesis
• Organization: FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy
• Publisher: [A. Šlebnik Krecenbaher]
• Year: 2026
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-186968
• UDC: 616-089.844+612.015(043.2)
• COBISS.SI-ID: 290937091
• Publication date in RUL: 08.09.2026

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and skin rejuvenation: molecular mechanisms and potential in aesthetic medicine

Abstract

Skin aging represents a complex biological process involving alterations in cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function, oxidative balance, and cellular senescence. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) plays a central role in these processes, acting as a key coenzyme in energy metabolism and a regulator of multiple signaling pathways. Due to its involvement in DNA repair, oxidative stress regulation, and maintenance of mitochondrial function, NAD⁺ is increasingly recognized as an important factor in skin aging. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the role of NAD⁺ in the processes of skin aging and to evaluate its potential as a bioactive compound in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. The thesis is based on a review of scientific literature addressing NAD⁺ metabolism, its biosynthetic pathways, mechanisms of decline in aging cells, and its impact on key cellular processes. The results indicate that NAD⁺ levels decline with aging, which is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and the development of cellular senescence. Increased consumption of NAD⁺ by enzymes such as poly(ADP‑ribose) polymerases and CD38, together with reduced biosynthesis, contributes to its depletion. Consequently, cellular function is impaired, skin regenerative capacity is reduced, and structural changes in the extracellular matrix occur. The analysis demonstrates that NAD⁺ acts as an integrative regulator linking metabolic, genetic, and signaling mechanisms of aging. The use of NAD⁺ precursors, such as nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, and nicotinamide mononucleotide, may improve cellular function; however, their effectiveness depends on bioavailability, metabolic activity, and cellular uptake. It can be concluded that NAD⁺ represents a promising but complex bioactive compound, which should be considered within a broader, integrative approach to slowing skin aging. Its role extends beyond that of a classical coenzyme and includes regulation of key processes that determine cellular function and resilience in the skin.

• Keywords: aesthetic medicine, cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, NAD⁺, oxidative stress, skin aging