Research

Hormonal

The protective effect of CD38 deficiency against obesity requires intact SIRT1 activity, mediated by increased NAD levels.

NAD levels are crucial for activating SIRT1, which in turn activates PGC1alpha to burn fat. CD38 breaks down NAD, so high CD38 activity might hinder weight loss. Maintaining NAD levels (through exercise or potentially supplements) may support this pathway.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Analysis of the mechanism revealed that this resistance to diet-induced obesity is mediated at least in part via a NAD-dependent activation of SIRT-PGC1alpha axis.
Maria Thereza Barbosa et al. · The FASEB Journal · 2007

Why this rating

Strong mechanistic evidence using knockout models and biochemical assays.

Source

The enzyme CD38 (a NAD glycohydrolase, EC 3.2.2.5) is necessary for the development of diet‐induced obesity

Maria Thereza Barbosa et al. · The FASEB Journal · 2007

DOI 10.1096/fj.07-8290com

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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