Nicotinic acid (CED0000905)

Nicotinic acid belongs to the pyridinecarboxylic acids and derivatives, a subclass of pyridines and derivatives within the organic compounds. This endogenous compound has the formula C6H5NO2 and an average molecular weight of 123.11 g/mol. At room temperature, it exists as a solid. It is detected in most tissues, including the liver, kidney, intestine, skin, stratum corneum, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and fibroblasts. Nicotinic acid functions as a B vitamin, metabolite, and antioxidant (PMC7690615). It is a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which serve as vital cofactors for dozens of enzymes. Its recorded protein targets include nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCAR2), hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 3 (HCAR3), and nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase [carboxylating] (QPRT), and it acts as an inhibitor of diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2). It binds to the niacin receptor, nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase, and nicotinate D-ribonucleotide phyrophsopate phosphoribosyltransferase. The compound is utilized as an antilipemic drug, vasodilator agent, antidote, and antimicrobial agent (PMC13208484), as well as a general drug (PMC8839250). Industrially, it is used as a humectant, anti-static agent, and as a nutrient and flavouring. It is used in the treatment of cancer (PMC2887708) and schizophrenia (PMC8839250), and has a therapeutic effect on schizophrenia (PMC9826852). Nicotinic acid is found in 45 recorded sources, including drinking water, medical devices, synthetic textiles, and food processing. Exposure routes include oral, intravenous, intramuscular, topical, inhalation, and touch.