---
title: "Inhibition of CD38 and nicotinamide riboside ameliorate…"
description: "Inhibiting CD38 or supplementing with nicotinamide riboside can reduce brain inflammation by increasing NAD levels."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33871064.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33871064.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33871064.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d33871064"
journal: "J Neurochem"
year: 2021
pmid: "33871064"
doi: "10.1111/jnc.15367"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Inhibition of CD38 and nicotinamide riboside ameliorate neuroinflammation by increasing NAD

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | J Neurochem |
| Year | 2021 |
| PMID | [33871064](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33871064/) |
| DOI | [10.1111/jnc.15367](https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15367) |
| Study key | d33871064 |

## Takeaway

Inhibiting CD38 or supplementing with nicotinamide riboside can reduce brain inflammation by increasing NAD levels.

## The question

Does CD38 directly affect neuroinflammation by regulating brain NAD levels?

## Hypothesis

CD38-mediated neuroinflammation is linked to NAD consumption, and boosting NAD through CD38 inhibition and nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation will suppress neuroinflammation.

## Methods

The study investigated the effect of CD38 deletion, CD38 inhibition with apigenin or 78c, and NAD supplementation with nicotinamide riboside (NR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in mice. They also used cell culture experiments with primary astrocytes and microglia to assess LPS-induced inflammatory responses.

## Results

LPS injection increased CD38 expression in the hippocampus. CD38 deletion decreased LPS-induced inflammatory responses and glial activation. Pre-administration of apigenin or NR increased NAD levels and suppressed cytokine/chemokine induction, glial activation, and neurodegeneration after LPS. In cell culture, apigenin, NAD, NR, or 78c suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory responses in astrocytes and microglia. All tested compounds suppressed the NF-κB signaling pathway in microglia.

## Conclusion

CD38-mediated neuroinflammation is linked to NAD consumption, and increasing NAD levels through CD38 inhibition or NR supplementation directly suppresses neuroinflammation in the brain.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> apigenin, a flavonoid with CD38 inhibitory activity, increased NAD level and suppressed neuroinflammation

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Apigenin Capsules | Emerging evidence | [Apigenin Capsules](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/114.md) |

## Reference

1. **Inhibition of CD38 and nicotinamide riboside ameliorate neuroinflammation by increasing NAD**
   J Neurochem 2021 · [PMID 33871064](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33871064/) · [DOI 10.1111/jnc.15367](https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15367)

   > apigenin, a flavonoid with CD38 inhibitory activity, increased NAD level and suppressed neuroinflammation

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Apigenin Capsules](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/114.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: inhibits CD38, raises NAD/Sirt3](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s114.md)
- [Flavonoid apigenin is an inhibitor of the NAD+ ase CD38: implications for cellular NAD+…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d23172919.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).