ChromaDex Corp. announced promising findings from a first-of-its kind five-month-long clinical study, as reported in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances by a team of scientists led by Dr. Eija Pirinen (University of Helsinki and University of Oulu) and Dr. Kirsi Pietiläinen (University of Helsinki). The clinical trial was part of the ChromaDex External Research Program (CERP™) and investigated the company's proprietary Niagen® ingredient (patented nicotinamide riboside, or “NR”) in 20 BMI-discordant (one leaner, one heavier) identical twin pairs.

Results of the study showcase that NR supplementation improved muscle mitochondrial biogenesis, satellite cell differentiation and gut microbiota composition. This is the first published and peer-reviewed clinical study demonstrating an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis following NR supplementation in humans and is consistent with a CERP preclinical study published in Cell Reports, demonstrating NR increased mitochondrial biogenesis in neuronal cells. Additionally at five months, this clinical study marks a milestone as the longest published NR supplementation study to date.

Mitochondria are widely known as the powerhouse of cells and help regulate the metabolic status of skeletal muscle by adapting their size, number, and function in response to exercise, disuse, nutrient availability, aging, and disease. One of these regulatory processes is called mitochondrial biogenesis, which occurs in response to physical stimulation, and is the process by which mitochondria increase their number and size by generating new mitochondria from pre-existing ones. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme critical for this process and is directly tied to mitochondrial health.

For example, NAD+ is found in high concentrations in healthy skeletal muscle mitochondria, highlighting its importance in skeletal muscle energy production.