First-of-Its-Kind Human Tissue Study Finds Link Between NAD Decline and Alcohol-Related Liver Disease (ArLD)

New research from Dr. Charles Brenner expands human conditions with disturbed NAD systems including alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) and other liver diseases

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ: CDXC), the global scientific authority on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide riboside (NR) science, announced today the publication of a study evaluating the NAD metabolome in human liver samples from people with liver diseases including alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD). The study, published in Hepatology Communications, was conducted by a collaborative team from the University of Iowa and University of Birmingham and funded with the support of the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. This is the first study to evaluate the NAD metabolome in human liver samples. The research demonstrated that ArLD is characterized by depressed levels of NAD-related molecules including NAD, as well as depressed levels of intracellular NR, which is protective in rodent models of liver disease.

“Our goal of identifying the human conditions that can be treated or prevented by nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation depends on identifying which populations have disturbed NAD systems. Here, we have shown that a common condition, ArLD, disturbs liver NAD in a way that we believe can be addressed with NR,” reports lead investigator Dr. Charles Brenner, Roy J. Carver Chair & Head of Biochemistry at the University of Iowa, and Chief Scientific Advisor to ChromaDex. Having discovered the vitamin activity of NR in 2004, Dr. Brenner and his research team continue to make groundbreaking discoveries that reshape the landscape of what is known in the field of NAD metabolism.

This new study assessed the NAD metabolome in transplant and tissue resections from 72 patients with ArLD or four other conditions. Analysis of liver tissue from the 43 ArLD patients showed marked depletion of NAD and its precursors. Depressed NAD levels correlated with low markers of liver function, suggesting that liver NAD status is important for human health.

Dr. Andrew Shao, ChromaDex Senior Vice President of Global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, shared, “We are grateful for the efforts of Dr. Brenner and his research team to advance the body of available human data. The findings continue to support a role for Niagen®, the only safety tested and patent protected NR, in health promotion.”

For additional information on the science supporting Niagen, please visit www.chromadex.com.

About ChromaDex:

ChromaDex Corp. is a science-based integrated nutraceutical company devoted to improving the way people age. ChromaDex scientists partner with leading universities and research institutions worldwide to discover, develop and create solutions to deliver the full potential of NAD and its impact on human health. Its flagship ingredient, NIAGEN^® nicotinamide riboside, sold directly to consumers as TRU NIAGEN^®, is backed with clinical and scientific research, as well as extensive IP protection. TRU NIAGEN^® is helping the world AGE BETTER^®. ChromaDex maintains a website at www.chromadex.com to which ChromaDex regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional and financial information about the Company.

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, including statements related to whether the research demonstrated that ArLD is characterized by depressed levels of NAD-related molecules including NAD, as well as depressed levels of intracellular NR, which is protective in rodent models of liver disease, whether the research has shown that a common condition, ArLD, disturbs liver NAD in a way that we believe can be addressed with NR, and whether depressed NAD levels correlated with low markers of liver function, suggesting that liver NAD status is important for human health. 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. 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 31, 2019, as amended, ChromaDex's Quarterly 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, and actual results may differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. 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.