NIH Publishes Results of Preclinical Collaboration with ChromaDex Showing Potential Benefit of Nicotinamide Riboside

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ChromaDex Corp.  (OTCQX: CDXC), announced today that the results of a mouse study performed in collaboration with ChromaDex by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a member of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), were published in Cell Metabolism in November 2014. The results indicated that nicotinamide riboside (NR) was effective at restoring NAD+ levels in mitochondria and rescuing phenotypes associated with a devastating accelerated aging disease known as Cockayne Syndrome (CS).  The researchers concluded that NR showed promise as a potential therapy for the disease, as well as for other age-related neurodegenerative conditions. ChromaDex is an innovative natural products company that provides proprietary ingredients and science-based solutions to the dietary supplement, food and beverage, animal health, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

CS is a rare genetic disorder that causes neurodegeneration, severe sensitivity to sunlight and failure to gain weight and grow at a normal rate. CS patients share the same neurodegenerative traits that are seen in many mitochondrial disorders and diseases associated with aging. Mitochondrial maintenance may be central in the aging process, and interventions that preserve mitochondrial function appear to extend the lifespan of model organisms.

NIH researchers commented in the publication: "As expected, old Csb mice had decreased NAD+ and ATP levels before treatment. Remarkably, a single week of treatment with NR completely normalized these levels." The researchers go on to speculate that NAD+ supplementation may prove to be beneficial for patients with CS who have no current treatment options.

Frank Jaksch, CEO and Founder of ChromaDex stated: "We are excited to have this collaboration with the NIH for NR and look forward to continuing this important research.  These early results are extremely encouraging and ChromaDex is evaluating the use of NR for rare pediatric diseases such as Cockayne Syndrome. We are also reviewing other therapeutic indications in which NR alone, or in combination, may be effective in treating or preventing disease. The NIH study and other preclinical studies conducted recently by independent researchers have consistently indicated that NR has a beneficial effect in a variety of disease conditions through its effectiveness in increasing NAD+."

ChromaDex's NIAGEN® is the first and only commercially available form of NR, a naturally occurring vitamin B3 derivative found in milk.  Published research has shown that NR is perhaps the most effective precursor to boost cellular levels of NAD+ and improve mitochondrial performance and energy.  NAD+ is essential in supporting healthy cellular metabolism including the efficient conversation of blood glucose into energy.

About Mitochondria and 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, Duschene 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 is an innovative natural products company that discovers, acquires, develops and commercializes proprietary-based ingredient technologies through its unique business model that utilizes its wholly owned synergistic business units, including ingredient technologies, natural product fine chemicals (known as "phytochemicals"), chemistry and analytical testing services, and product regulatory and safety consulting (as Spherix Consulting). The company provides seamless science-based solutions to the nutritional supplement, food and beverage, animal health, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The ChromaDex ingredient technologies unit includes products backed with extensive scientific research and intellectual property. Its ingredient portfolio includes pTeroPure^® pterostilbene; ProC3G^®, a natural black rice containing cyanidin-3-glucoside; PURENERGY^®, a caffeine-pTeroPure^® cocrystal; and NIAGEN®, its recently launched branded nicotinamide riboside, a potent NAD+ booster and novel next-generation B vitamin. To learn more about ChromaDex, visit www.chromadex.com.

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 December 28, 2013, 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.

ChromaDex Company Contact:

Laura Kelly, Executive Assistant
949-419-0288
[email protected]

SOURCE ChromaDex Corp.

Related Links

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