Muscle NAD(P) metabolism tracked muscle health more than chronological age in 137 men
In biopsies from 137 men aged 20–93, NAD(P) pools were not associated with age; NAD⁺ and NADPH tracked performance, muscle mass and mitochondrial content beyond age, suggesting NAD(P) metabolism reflects retained muscle health rather than aging. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
NAD(H), NADP(H) and glutathione were quantified in muscle biopsies from 137 men aged 20 to 93 years. [1]
NAD(P) pools were not associated with age, while glutathione expanded without altered GSH/GSSG. [1]
NAD⁺ and NADPH tracked performance, muscle mass and mitochondrial content beyond age, which the authors say argues against obligatory age-related NAD(P) depletion. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract of a human biopsy study reporting cross-sectional associations.
- Population / context
- 137 men aged 20 to 93 years who provided muscle biopsies.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Publication status
- Preprint · peer-review status not confirmed
- Original publication
- August 28, 2026
NAD(P) measured in muscle biopsies of 137 men
The abstract describes a study in which NAD(H), NADP(H) and glutathione were quantified in muscle biopsies from 137 men aged 20 to 93 years. The stated context is the proposal that NAD⁺ depletion drives muscle aging, which the authors call unresolved for humans. The design is described only as biopsy measurements in this group; the abstract does not report follow-up, interventions or how participants were selected.
Supporting source [1]
NAD(P) pools not linked to age; glutathione expanded
According to the abstract, NAD(P) pools were not associated with age. Glutathione was expanded without a change in the GSH/GSSG ratio. Separately, NAD⁺ and NADPH tracked performance, muscle mass and mitochondrial content beyond age. The authors conclude that NAD(P) metabolism reflects retained muscle health more than aging and argue against obligatory age-related NAD(P) depletion. These are associations in one group of men, not evidence that changing NAD(P) levels causes or prevents muscle aging.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope of the 137-man biopsy study
The available information is limited to the abstract; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report how performance, muscle mass or mitochondrial content were measured, nor effect sizes or statistical uncertainty. It also does not state whether the 137 men were a general population or a selected group. Because the findings are cross-sectional associations in men only, they cannot show whether NAD(P) changes precede or follow muscle health, and they do not establish benefits for lifespan or for women.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report measurement methods for performance, muscle mass or mitochondrial content, effect sizes, statistical uncertainty, participant selection or follow-up. Findings are associations in men only and cannot establish causation or lifespan effects.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Gouspillou G, Marcangeli V, Rémi C, Cefis M, Hammad R, Granet J, Leduc-Gaudet J, Gaudreau P, Trumpff C, Huang Q, Picard M, Aubertin-Leheudre M, Bélanger M, Robitaille R, Morais J, Euro L. · europepmc.org · August 28, 2026