Study suggests excess vitamin B3 could increase heart disease risk

The team, led by Stanley Hazen, M.D., Ph.D., from Cleveland Clinic have discovered a link between 4PY, a breakdown product from excess niacin, and heart disease.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, details genetic links between 4PY and vascular inflammation. The findings provide a foundation for potential newinterventions and therapeutics to reduce or prevent that inflammation.

Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, is one of the eight B vitamins essential for converting food into energy and maintaining healthy skin and nervous system function. Since the body cannot produce niacin on its own, it must be obtained from dietary sources or supplements. Tryptophan, found in animal products, is converted into niacin by the body. Any excess niacin not utilized by the body is eliminated through urine, as it is not stored.

Excessive niacin can lead to an increase in certain blood fats, which may contribute to heart disease risk. Additionally, high doses of niacin can cause flushing, which may worsen existing cardiovascular conditions.

For the study, Dr. Hazen and his team studied the fasting plasma from about 1,100 people with stable cardiac health. Upon analysis, researchers discovered that higher circulating levels of N1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide, or 4PY, were strongly associated with the development of a heart attack, stroke, or other unhealthy cardiac events.

The findings suggested that 4PY directly triggers vascular inflammation which damages blood vessels and can lead to atherosclerosis over time.

“The compound 4PY was identified that is linked to future CVD events” said Dr. Hazen. “We then performed pre clinical studies (animal model) and cell-based studies — all of which showed this compound contributes to vascular inflammation. 4PY, it turns out, is a breakdown product made from excess niacin.”

“Our studies found high levels of 4PY in the blood predict future cardiac disease. These new studies help identify a new pathway that contributes to heart disease,” concluded Dr. Hazen.

Reference: Cleveland Clinic