Uridine is a pyrimidine nucleoside composed of uracil, nitrogenous base and ribose, which is present in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid at a higher concentration than other nucleosides. Uridine has multiple functions and plays a key role in various biological processes, such as participating in nucleic acid and glycogen synthesis, promoting the growth of nerve cells, regulating body temperature changes and lipid content. These biological processes are closely related to human health, so appropriate supplementation of Uridine has certain benefits for human health.

Uridine can enhance cognitive function

Exogenous uridine supplementation has been shown to be beneficial for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Uridine supplementation can not only increase protein O-GlcNAcylation, but also promote synaptic membrane synthesis in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. At the same time, uridine also promotes glycogen synthesis by forming uridine diphosphate glucose, thereby reducing local glucose accumulation and alleviating the toxic effects of sorbitol on neuronal cells, thereby having a beneficial effect on diabetic neuropathy.

Uridine regulates body temperature and circadian rhythm

Studies have shown that uridine-induced changes in body temperature are dose- and species-related. Low doses of uridine (100 mg/kg) cause mild elevations in rodents, whereas high doses (500-3,500 mg/kg) cause severe hypothermia. It has been demonstrated in mice that uridine regulates body temperature in a manner that is linked to metabolic rate, in which leptin is also involved. Therefore, uridine may be used to treat obesity through its effects on basal metabolic rate. Meanwhile, high-dose oral uridine reverses 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced leukopenia within weeks, thereby reversing 5-FU-induced bone marrow suppression. However, high doses of uridine cause fever in humans, an effect that contradicts the use of uridine to counteract the side effects of 5-FU.

Because plasma uridine exhibits diurnal fluctuations and uridine alters feeding behavior, plasma uridine may play a key role in circadian rhythms. Studies have shown that uridine supplementation at night appears to treat hypercholesterolemia in mice. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right time for uridine supplementation (such as when uridine phosphorylase activity is low) to achieve better therapeutic effects.

Other benefits

In addition, clinical trials have shown that uridine supplementation can improve sleep quality. Uridine and its derivatives can also reduce cell and inhibit drug-induced liver fat accumulation.

References:

[1] YANG Y, YE Y, DENG Y, et al. Uridine and its role in metabolic diseases, tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases[J]. Frontiers in Physiology, 2024. DOI:10.3389/fphys.2024.1360891.