Objective  To explore the protective effect in a model of nicotinamide riboside (NR) against carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)-induced oxidative stress in R28 cells.

Methods  4 μmol/L CCCP was used to induce oxidative stress in R28 cells, and 400 nmol/L NR was used to intervene. The cell viability was quantified by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis was detected by Annexin-V/PI double staining and flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to examine the levels of Cytochrome C, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 to evaluate the apoptosis. Tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), MitoSOX was used to detect the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) levels, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay kit was used to assess ATP generation ability to evaluate mitochondrial function.

Results  After CCCP treatment of R28 cells, the cell viability decreased, the apoptotic protein levels and apoptosis rates increased, the MMP decreased, and the mtROS generation increased (P﹤0.05). After NR pretreatment, the cell viability increased, the apoptotic protein levels and apoptosis rates decreased, the MMP increased, and the mtROS generation decreased (P﹤0.05).

Conclusion: NR enhances the cell viability, reduces the expression of apoptotic proteins, and ultimately reduces the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cell by inhibiting oxidative stress response and protecting mitochondrial function.

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