A combination of natural substances — nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and the green tea antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate — may combat Alzheimer's disease. This is the conclusion reached by scientists at the University of California, Irvine. The results of the study were published in the journal GeroScience.

In laboratory conditions, this therapy restored guanosine triphosphate (GTP) levels in aging mouse neurons and activated the brain's self-cleaning mechanisms. The combination of substances also helped neurons get rid of amyloid proteins, one of the main signs of Alzheimer's disease.

“With age, the brain loses its ability to dispose of damaged components. We found that increasing GTF levels helps restore this function,” explained lead author Gregory Brewer.

The scientists used a fluorescent sensor called GEVAL to measure GTF levels in the neurons of elderly mice. They found that mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of cells, are particularly affected by aging. This disrupts autophagy, the process by which cells clean themselves of damage.

However, just 24 hours after treatment with a combination of nicotinamide and epigallocatechin gallate, GTF levels in aging neurons returned to levels typical of young cells. As a result, key proteins were activated, energy metabolism improved, oxidative stress decreased, and beta-amyloid accumulations were effectively removed.

According to the researchers, GTF may prove to be an important but previously underappreciated target for the treatment of age-related brain disorders. However, as Brewer noted, further research is needed to find the optimal form of delivery for the compounds. The scientist explained that nicotinamide in tablet form (oral) is rapidly inactivated in the body, which reduces the effectiveness of treatment.