Search

Purpose: Regular calorie restriction (CR) improves endothelial function and lowers aortic stiffness in older mice and humans; however, adherence to sustained CR remains poor, and possibly unsafe in normal weight older adults. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an important signaling molecule involved in the beneficial effects of CR and we have recently demonstrated that boosting NAD+ reverses these measures of arterial aging in older mice. The purpose of this study was to determine if supplementation with nicotinamide riboside (NIAGEN®; ChromaDex, Inc.), a naturally occurring precursor to NAD+, would similarly improve vascular function with aging in humans. Methods: Healthy middle-aged and older adults (65 ± 2 yrs, n = 24) received oral NIAGEN® (500 mg, 2x/day) and placebo capsules for six weeks each in a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. Blood pressure (BP), aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [PWV]), and endothelial function, (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation [FMD]), were measured at the end of each intervention phase. Results: NIAGEN® safely and effectively raised circulating levels of NAD+ and related metabolites. Although no effect was observed on endothelial function, NIAGEN® significantly lowered PWV as well as systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in all subjects (P < 0.05). When separated by baseline BP status, the BP-lowering effect of NIAGEN® was observed in pre-hypertensive (pHTN, n = 13) but not normotensive (N = 11) individuals (P < 0.01). Interestingly, NIAGEN® was lowered in all subjects regardless of baseline BP status. Conclusion: Chronic NIAGEN® supplementation lowers SBP in pHTN older adults and reduces aortic stiffness, independent of baseline blood pressure status.