CD38 — research review 1

...So, let’s talk about CD38, a molecule that’s been getting a lot of attention in the longevity space. What exactly is it?

CD38 is an enzyme, and a pretty significant one when we're discussing cellular aging. Its primary role, relevant to longevity, is that it's a major consumer of NAD+.

NAD+, the coenzyme vital for cellular energy and repair, right?

Exactly. Our NAD+ levels naturally decline as we age, and CD38 is a big part of that story. Research, like a study in Nature Metabolism in 2020, has shown that CD38 activity actually rises with age. This increased activity drains our NAD+ pool, which isn't ideal for healthy aging.

So, if CD38 is consuming NAD+, then inhibiting CD38 could be a strategy to preserve NAD+ levels?

That's the hypothesis. And there's some interesting work around compounds that act as CD38 inhibitors. Apigenin, a flavonoid found in many plants, is one that’s been identified to inhibit CD38, thereby slowing NAD+ breakdown.

That sounds promising, but what's still unknown or unproven here?

Well, while the lab and animal data are compelling regarding CD38’s role and the impact of inhibitors like apigenin on NAD+ levels, the direct, long-term impact on human longevity and disease prevention is still being actively researched. We understand the mechanism, but translating that into definitive human outcomes takes time and more robust clinical trials. It's an area of intense study, but not yet a proven intervention for human healthy lifespan extension.