Can NMN We Consume Really Be Effectively Utilized by the Body?
In the field of anti-aging, NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) has long been a highly regarded “star molecule.” As a direct precursor of NAD⁺, it shows great potential in energy metabolism, DNA repair, and anti-aging. However, a long-standing question troubling both researchers and consumers is: Can orally consumed NMN truly be effectively utilized by the body?
Recently, a study published in the international authoritative journal Food & Function provided a breakthrough answer. By employing an innovative “liposomal microgel” technology, scientists successfully overcame key bottlenecks such as poor absorption and low stability of NMN, significantly enhancing its protective effects in vivo.
The biggest challenge facing traditional NMN lies in its water-soluble nature, which leads to low intestinal absorption and rapid metabolism. The research team adopted a liposomal encapsulation technique prepared via a thin-film ultrasonic method. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the microgels loaded with LYC and NMN exhibited a uniform porous sponge-like structure, where liposomes were evenly distributed in spherical or ellipsoidal forms, effectively filling the internal cavities of the microgel.
In stability tests, free NMN completely degraded within 12 hours at 80°C. In contrast, NMN encapsulated in microgels showed significantly improved stability under both acidic and alkaline conditions. Notably, in simulated gastrointestinal digestion experiments, more than 80% of encapsulated NMN remained after 4 hours, demonstrating its ability to resist gastric acid degradation and achieve targeted intestinal release.
In vitro release experiments revealed the intelligent release behavior of liposomal NMN. In simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH = 2.0), the release rate of NMN was controlled below 20%, whereas in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH = 7.5), the release exceeded 80%. This pH-dependent release ensures that NMN avoids degradation in the stomach and is released at optimal absorption sites in the intestine.
Particle size and zeta potential analysis showed that the CS-NMN-BLP microgel had an average particle size of 1668.33 nm and a zeta potential of -30.03 mV. An absolute zeta potential value exceeding 30 indicates good system stability, providing physical protection for NMN during digestion.
The study also found that liposomal NMN microgels significantly improved gut microbiota composition. In an LPS-induced mouse model, microgel intervention increased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and promoted the enrichment of beneficial bacteria such as Roseburia and Ruminococcus. These microbes produce short-chain fatty acids, which further enhance intestinal barrier function and indirectly improve NMN absorption efficiency.
In an LPS-induced acute liver injury model, liposomal NMN microgels demonstrated significant protective effects. Compared with the model group, the CS-NMN-BLP treatment group showed markedly reduced levels of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum. Meanwhile, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and GSH-px) in the liver increased significantly, while MDA levels decreased.
Histopathological examination further showed that microgel treatment effectively alleviated liver cell necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and vacuolar degeneration.
References：
Ge, J., et al. (2024). Preparation of microgels loaded with lycopene/NMN and their protective mechanism against acute liver injury. Food & Function, *15*(2), 809–822. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3fo03293k
Recently, a study published in the international authoritative journal Food & Function provided a breakthrough answer. By employing an innovative “liposomal microgel” technology, scientists successfully overcame key bottlenecks such as poor absorption and low stability of NMN, significantly enhancing its protective effects in vivo.
PART 01
A “Smart Armor” for Molecules: No More “Naked” NMN
The biggest challenge facing traditional NMN lies in its water-soluble nature, which leads to low intestinal absorption and rapid metabolism. The research team adopted a liposomal encapsulation technique prepared via a thin-film ultrasonic method. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the microgels loaded with LYC and NMN exhibited a uniform porous sponge-like structure, where liposomes were evenly distributed in spherical or ellipsoidal forms, effectively filling the internal cavities of the microgel.
In stability tests, free NMN completely degraded within 12 hours at 80°C. In contrast, NMN encapsulated in microgels showed significantly improved stability under both acidic and alkaline conditions. Notably, in simulated gastrointestinal digestion experiments, more than 80% of encapsulated NMN remained after 4 hours, demonstrating its ability to resist gastric acid degradation and achieve targeted intestinal release.
PART 02
Smart Targeted Release: Precise Absorption in the Intestine
In vitro release experiments revealed the intelligent release behavior of liposomal NMN. In simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH = 2.0), the release rate of NMN was controlled below 20%, whereas in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH = 7.5), the release exceeded 80%. This pH-dependent release ensures that NMN avoids degradation in the stomach and is released at optimal absorption sites in the intestine.
Particle size and zeta potential analysis showed that the CS-NMN-BLP microgel had an average particle size of 1668.33 nm and a zeta potential of -30.03 mV. An absolute zeta potential value exceeding 30 indicates good system stability, providing physical protection for NMN during digestion.
PART 03
Gut Microbiota Modulation: The “Hidden Bonus” of NMN
The study also found that liposomal NMN microgels significantly improved gut microbiota composition. In an LPS-induced mouse model, microgel intervention increased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and promoted the enrichment of beneficial bacteria such as Roseburia and Ruminococcus. These microbes produce short-chain fatty acids, which further enhance intestinal barrier function and indirectly improve NMN absorption efficiency.
PART 04
Efficacy Validation: Reduced Inflammation and Enhanced Antioxidant Capacity
In an LPS-induced acute liver injury model, liposomal NMN microgels demonstrated significant protective effects. Compared with the model group, the CS-NMN-BLP treatment group showed markedly reduced levels of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum. Meanwhile, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and GSH-px) in the liver increased significantly, while MDA levels decreased.
Histopathological examination further showed that microgel treatment effectively alleviated liver cell necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and vacuolar degeneration.
References：
Ge, J., et al. (2024). Preparation of microgels loaded with lycopene/NMN and their protective mechanism against acute liver injury. Food & Function, *15*(2), 809–822. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3fo03293k
