Xinyi Fang , Gang Xu

Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang AandF University, Zhuji, 311800, China
Author    Correspondence author
Journal of Energy Bioscience, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 1   
Received: 19 Dec., 2024    Accepted: 26 Jan., 2025    Published: 08 Feb., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

NADPH, the full name of which is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, is a very important coenzyme in cells. It plays a key role in the body's production of various substances and resistance to oxidative stress. We can think of it as an "electron provider" that is indispensable in many biological reactions. When synthesizing fatty acids, cholesterol, nucleotides, and some secondary metabolites, cells need a lot of NADPH to provide reducing power. In other words, without it, these things cannot be made. NADPH also helps cells fight "oxidative stress". It can regenerate reduced glutathione and support the normal operation of the thioredoxin system. These systems are particularly important for scavenging free radicals and maintaining cell health. The main way cells make NADPH is through a metabolic pathway called the "pentose phosphate pathway". In addition, some enzymes, such as NADP-dependent malic enzyme and isocitrate dehydrogenase, can also replenish NADPH. These enzymes are distributed in different areas of the cell to ensure that there is enough NADPH everywhere. NADPH is also important in the immune system. For example, when phagocytes (like macrophages) react in an outburst, it helps cells quickly release reactive substances to kill bacteria. In addition, NADPH is also related to aging, metabolic problems, and the development of certain diseases. Scientists are studying how to better monitor and regulate NADPH in cells. These new technologies may be used in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Future research needs to further clarify how NADPH is regulated and how it interacts with various cell signaling pathways. NADPH is critical for maintaining cell health and may also become a new target for treating certain diseases (especially those related to oxidative stress) or improving metabolic efficiency.

NADPH; Biosynthesis; Antioxidant reactions; Redox homeostasis; Metabolic regulation