Enrollment of the first patients has begun for a collaborative human clinical study involving NIAGEN (nicotinamide riboside – NR) at the University of Copenhagen, according to ChromaDex Corp., Irvine, CA.
 
Dr. Jonas Treebak, researcher with the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) will, in collaboration with researchers at Aarhus University, investigate the metabolic and insulin sensitizing effects of NIAGEN in obese healthy adults aged 40-70 years.
 
The company’s patented ingredient NIAGEN is the first and only commercially available form of NR, a naturally occurring vitamin B3 metabolite found in milk.
 
The placebo controlled, double-blind, randomized study of 40 obese healthy men will assess the potential benefits of daily NIAGEN supplementation over the course of 12 weeks. Endpoints that will be assessed include insulin sensitivity, body composition, and overall metabolism. ChromaDex will provide NIAGEN for the study along with matched-placebo control pills.
 
This new study will build upon the first successful clinical trial conducted in 2015 which demonstrated that a single dose of NIAGEN can elevate the co-enzyme NAD+ in the blood by as much as 2.7-fold and was safe. The results of that study constituted a significant milestone as it showed for the first time an increase in NAD+ in humans has been demonstrated through NR supplementation.
 
Frank Jaksch Jr., founder and CEO of ChromaDex, commented, “We are honored to collaborate with Dr. Treebak’s lab on this clinical trial. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research is one of the leading research institutions studying diabetes and obesity. The human study is designed to provide a better understand on how NR can help people optimize their physical and metabolic functions.”
 
Dr. Jonas Treebak, the principal investigator of the study commented, “The ability to maintain mitochondrial function in insulin sensitive tissues in the body appears to be tightly linked to development of insulin resistance, obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes. With support from ChromaDex, it is possible for us together with researchers from the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, to engage in this important and exciting research area to answer fundamental questions regarding the role of NAD+metabolism in these diseases; hopefully, for the health benefit of millions of people world-wide.”