The Role of CD38 in the Pathogenesis of Cardiorenal Metabolic Disease and Aging, an Approach from Basic Research.

Aging is a major risk factor for the leading causes of mortality, and the incidence of age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and metabolic disease increases with age. NAD is a classic coenzyme that exists in all species, and that plays a crucial role in oxidation-reduction reactions. It is also involved in the regulation of many cellular functions including inflammation, oxidative stress and differentiation. NAD declines with aging in various organs, and the reduction in NAD is possibly involved in the development of age-related cellular dysfunction in cardiorenal metabolic organs through the accumulation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Levels of NAD are regulated by the balance between its synthesis and degradation. CD38 is the main NAD-degrading enzyme, and CD38 is activated in response to inflammation with aging, which is associated with the reduction in NAD levels. In this review, focusing on CD38, we discuss the role of CD38 in aging and the pathogenesis of age-related diseases, including cardiorenal metabolic disease.