- The Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory, Headed by Dr. Douglas Seals, Will Investigate the Effects of NIAGEN® on Physical Function and Metabolism in Healthy Adults Aged 45-79 Years -
IRVINE, Calif., June 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChromaDex Corp. (OTCQX:CDXC), an innovator of proprietary health, wellness and nutritional ingredients that creates science-based solutions for dietary supplement, food and beverage, skin care, sports nutrition, and pharmaceutical products announced today that a collaborative human clinical study on NIAGEN® (Nicotinamide Riboside—NR) is underway at the University of Colorado Boulder.
ChromaDex's patented ingredient NIAGEN® is the first and only commercially available form of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a naturally occurring vitamin B3 metabolite found in milk.
This placebo controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over study will assess the potential benefits of daily NIAGEN® supplementation over the course of 6 weeks. Endpoints that will be assessed in this study include physical function, cardiorespiratory fitness and overall metabolism.
This new study will build upon the results of ChromaDex's first successful clinical trial which demonstrated that a single oral dose of NIAGEN® is a safe, effective nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursor in humans. ChromaDex will provide NIAGEN® supplements for the study along with matched-placebo control pills. ChromaDex has awarded a $100,000 research grant to Dr. Christopher Martens (a postdoctoral researcher at the Seals Lab) which will fund approximately 25% of the cost of the study.
Frank Jaksch Jr., founder and CEO of ChromaDex, commented "We are honored to collaborate with Dr. Seals' lab on this clinical trial. The Integrative Physiology of Aging Lab at CU-Boulder is one of the leading research groups studying strategies for healthy aging. The trial is aimed to provide a better understanding of how NR can help people optimize their physical and metabolic functions."
Dr. Christopher Martens, the principal investigator of the study commented, "Many physiological functions become impaired as we age which increases risk of developing a number of chronic diseases. We are excited to study how NR might mitigate the effects of aging and improve the health and quality of life as people move from middle-aged into their later years."
Published research has shown that NR is perhaps the most effective precursor to boost the co-enzyme NAD+ in the cell. NAD+ is arguably the most important cellular co-factor for improvement of mitochondrial performance and energy. In recent years, NAD+ has been shown to be essential in supporting healthy cellular metabolism including the efficient conversion of blood glucose into energy.
As organisms age, NAD+ levels drop, which leads to a decrease in mitochondrial health; this in turn leads to age-related health issues. Low NAD+ levels limit activity of a group of enzymes called sirtuins, which are believed to play a key role in longevity. NAD+ levels also can be depleted by lifestyle choices such as overeating and lack of exercise. By boosting NAD+, NR can increase mitochondrial health and induce creation of new mitochondria.
About Mitochondria and Nicotinamide Riboside (NR):
While scientists have known for decades that mitochondria produce energy for cells, it is only recently that mitochondrial function has been linked to general health, aging and numerous disease conditions. Key to mitochondrial function is maintenance of sufficient levels of NAD+ that can be used to generate energy efficiently and that allows overall mitochondria function, such as signaling, immune regulation, and cell death, to proceed properly. If levels go down or are redirected (as in cancer cells), mitochondrial function erodes creating numerous adverse effects. Scientists have begun to show, in animal models, that the stimulation of mitochondrial function with NR may result in increased longevity as well as other health improvements. Researchers worldwide are continuing to make seminal discoveries characterizing the unique properties of NR in a wide range of health benefits. These include increased mitochondrial health, increased muscle endurance, neuroprotection, sirtuin activation (which has been linked to slowing the aging process), protection against weight gain on high-fat diet, protection against oxidative stress, inhibition of tumor formation and improvement of blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. At the same time mitochondrial dysfunction has been increasingly linked to a broad range of disease conditions, including autoimmune diseases, macular degeneration, cancer, Alzheimer's and other central nervous system diseases, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and others. ChromaDex, through more than 20 collaborations with researchers around the world, is in the forefront of research showing that the use of NR helps preserve or restore mitochondrial function and may be beneficial in treating and/or preventing disease.
About ChromaDex:
ChromaDex leverages its complementary business units to discover, acquire, develop and commercialize patented and proprietary ingredient technologies that address the dietary supplement, food, beverage, skin care and pharmaceutical markets. In addition to our ingredient technologies unit, we also have business units focused on natural product fine chemicals (known as "phytochemicals"), chemistry and analytical testing services, and product regulatory and safety consulting (known as Spherix Consulting). As a result of our relationships with leading universities and research institutions, we are able to discover and license early stage, IP-backed ingredient technologies. We then utilize our in-house chemistry, regulatory and safety consulting business units to develop commercially viable ingredients. Our ingredient portfolio is backed with clinical and scientific research, as well as extensive IP protection. Our portfolio of patented ingredient technologies includes NIAGEN® nicotinamide riboside; pTeroPure® pterostilbene; PURENERGY®, a caffeine-pTeroPure® co-crystal; and ProC3G®, a natural black rice containing cyanidin-3-glucoside. To learn more about ChromaDex, please visit www.ChromaDex.com.
About the Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory:
The Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory directed by Dr. Douglas Seals, has nearly 30 years of investigative experience in biomedical aging research. The focus of the laboratory is the integrative physiology of aging in the context of preventing and treating age-associated physiological dysfunction and chronic disease. The laboratory has a long history of successfully conducting intervention studies in middle-aged and older adults and employs a unique translational approach to investigate modulating factors, mechanisms and interventions that influence physiological aging.
About the University Colorado Boulder:
The University of Colorado Boulder is the flagship campus for the state of Colorado and one of only 34 U.S. public institutions belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). CU-Boulder is internationally recognized as a top research institution and is home to five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies. The College of Arts and Sciences houses several nationally recognized departments within the natural sciences, including Integrative Physiology, Physics, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Chemistry and Biochemistry, along with several internationally renowned research centers and institutes.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not a description of historical facts constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "potential", "possible", "probable", "believes", "seeks", "may", "will", "should", "could" or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in ChromaDex's business. More detailed information about ChromaDex and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in ChromaDex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, ChromaDex's Quarter Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted by ChromaDex to the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ChromaDex undertakes no obligation to revise or update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
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