Nicotinamide is a precursor of NAD and NADP , which serve essential functions in modulating cellular redox status and controlling signaling and transcriptional events. 1-Methylnicotinamide (MNA) is a primary metabolite of nicotinamide produced by the action of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT; ). It demonstrates antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties through direct action on the endothelium by a mechanism involving the prostacyclin pathway and by improving nitric oxide bioavailability. Aggressive cancer cell lines are reported to have higher levels of MNA due to increased NNMT-directed transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to nicotinamide, implicating a role for MNA in cancer cell metabolism.
