Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not Yet Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07693543

Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation in Chronic Kidney Disease

This study is testing whether a dietary supplement called nicotinamide riboside, (NR), can be used in adults with moderate chronic kidney disease. NR is a form of vitamin B3 that may help support cellular energy metabolism.

The main goal of this study is to see whether it is feasible for people with chronic kidney disease to take NR daily, complete study visits, and follow the study procedures. The study will also explore whether NR chloride affects markers of mitochondrial health, small blood vessel function, and physical function.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment orders. One group will take NR first and placebo second. The other group will take placebo first and NR second. Placebo looks like NR but does not contain active NR. Each treatment period lasts 12 weeks, with an approximately 2-week washout period between treatments. Neither participants nor the study team will know which treatment participants are taking during each period.

Study visits will include blood and urine collection, physical function testing, and noninvasive tests of small blood vessel function. The study will enroll up to 36 adults with moderate chronic kidney disease at the University of California, San Diego.

Not Yet Recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Chronic Kidney Disease Chronic Disease Disease Attributes Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Kidney Diseases Male Urogenital Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Renal Insufficiency Renal Insufficiency, Chronic Urogenital Diseases Urologic Diseases

Age range

30 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Altman Clinical and Translation Research Institute

San Diego, California, 92093, United States

Location contact

Armin Ahmadi, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

(619) 543-6248

About this study

Chronic kidney disease is associated with impaired mitochondrial function, vascular dysfunction, reduced physical function, and increased risk of cardiovascular and functional decline. Nicotinamide riboside is a vitamin B3 derivative and NAD+ precursor that may support cellular energy metabolism and vascular health.

This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility of using nicotinamide riboside in adults with moderate chronic kidney disease. The study uses a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design so that each participant receives both nicotinamide riboside chloride and placebo during separate treatment periods.

In addition to feasibility measures, the study will collect exploratory data on mitochondrial, microvascular, and physical function outcomes. These data will help determine whether a larger clinical trial of nicotinamide riboside in chronic kidney disease is practical and scientifically justified.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Moderate chronic kidney disease not treated with dialysis, defined as eGFR 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m2 using the CKD-EPI equation.
  • Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) <300 mg/g.
  • Able to provide informed consent.
  • Able to walk unassisted from room to room, with usual assistive device allowed if approved by study safety assessment.
  • Willing and able to comply with study procedures, visits, and study product administration.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnancy.
  • Expectation to start dialysis within 6 months.
  • Unable to walk unassisted from room to room.
  • Institutionalization or inability to consent.
  • End-stage liver disease with cirrhosis.
  • HIV.
  • Oxygen-dependent COPD.
  • Baseline systolic blood pressure >170 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >100 mmHg.
  • Current participation in another interventional trial.
  • Use of immunosuppressive medications, including steroids or calcineurin inhibitors.
  • Malignancy requiring active treatment or currently under surveillance at the discretion of the investigator.
  • Hospitalization for myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cerebrovascular accident, or unstable cardiac chest pain within the prior 3 months.

Treatment and study plan

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)

Dietary Supplement

Nicotinamide riboside will be administered orally at a target dose of 1000 mg/day for 12 weeks during the active treatment period.

Matched Placebo (Capsules)

Dietary Supplement

Matched placebo will be administered orally for 12 weeks during the placebo treatment period. The placebo will be identical or substantially similar in appearance to the active nicotinamide riboside study product to maintain blinding.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in plasma cell-free mitochondrial DNA

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 26

    Change in plasma cell-free mitochondrial DNA concentration, measured as mitochondrial DNA copies per mL of plasma using droplet digital PCR.

  2. Change in urine cell-free mitochondrial DNA

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 26

    Change in urine cell-free mitochondrial DNA concentration, measured using droplet digital PCR and reported as mitochondrial DNA copies normalized to urine osmolarity.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in skin fingernail capillary density

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 26

    Change in skin capillary density, measured as capillaries per mm2 using capillaroscopy.

  2. Change in skin blood flow

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 26

    Change in skin blood flow, measured in laser Doppler perfusion units using laser Doppler flowmetry.

  3. Change in six-minute walk distance

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 26

    Change in distance walked during the six-minute walk test, measured in meters.

  4. Change in Handgrip Strength

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 26

    Change in handgrip strength, measured in kilograms using handheld dynamometry.

  5. Change in Timed Up and Go

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 26

    Change in Timed Up and Go test performance, measured in seconds.

  6. Change in 30-second sit-to-stand

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 26

    Change in the number of chair stands completed during the 30-second sit-to-stand test, measured as repetitions completed in 30 seconds.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Armin Ahmadi, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

619-543-6248

Rakesh Malhotra, MD, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Diego

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Pilot Randomized Crossover Trial of Nicotinamide Riboside in Chronic Kidney Disease (NR-CKD Trial)

Acronym: NR-CKD

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jul 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.