Nicotinamide Riboside With and Without Resveratrol to Improve Functioning in Peripheral Artery Disease (NICE)

Nicotinamide Riboside With and Without Resveratrol to Improve Functioning in Peripheral Artery Disease: The NICE Trial

NICE is a randomized clinical trial that will examine the effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR) both with and without resveratrol to test whether, among people with PAD, NR significantly improves walking performance more than placebo and whether NR combined with resveratrol significantly improves walking performance more than placebo. If findings support the hypotheses, results will be used to design a large, definitive randomized clinical.

The study will randomize 90 participants with PAD to one of the following three groups: NR + resveratrol, NR + placebo, or placebo + placebo.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Peripheral Artery Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Nicotinamide riboside; Drug: Resveratrol; Other: Placebo

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 90
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Illinois
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
      • Northwestern University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

All participants will have PAD. PAD will be defined as the following: 1) An ankle-brachial index (ABI) <=0.90 at the baseline study visit or 2) Vascular laboratory evidence or angiographic evidence of PAD. Inclusion based on prior vascular laboratory evidence will be determined by the study principal investigator and includes, for example, a toe brachial index (TBI) < 0.70, Duplex measure showing 70% stenosis or great, a post heel-rise or post-exercise ABI drop of 20% or greater, or ABI values <= 0.90. Angiographic evidence of PAD consists of a stenosis of 70% or greater in a lower extremity artery.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Above- or below-knee amputation.
2. Critical limb ischemia.
3. Wheelchair-bound or requiring a walker to ambulate.
4. Walking is limited by a symptom other than PAD.
5. Current foot ulcer on bottom of foot.
6. End stage renal disease defined as a GFR less than 20 ml/min/1.73 M2.
7. Significant liver impairment defined as two or more hepatic function enzymes >3.0 times the upper limit of normal. [NOTE: participants who meet this criterion may undergo a re-test of hepatic function tests to determine whether initially elevated hepatic enzymes represented a transient or spurious phenomenon.]
8. Failure to successfully complete the 2-week study run-in.
9. Planned lower extremity revascularization, orthopedic surgery, or other major surgery during the next six months.
10. Lower extremity revascularization, orthopedic surgery, cardiovascular event, coronary revascularization, or other major surgery in the previous three months.
11. Participation in supervised treadmill exercise during the previous three months.
12. Major medical illness including renal disease requiring dialysis, lung disease requiring oxygen, Parkinson's disease, a life-threatening illness with life expectancy less than six months, or cancer requiring treatment in the previous two years. [NOTE: potential participants may still qualify if they have had treatment for an early stage cancer in the past two years and the prognosis is excellent. Participants who only use oxygen at night may still qualify.]
13. Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score <23 or dementia.
14. Participation in or completion of a clinical trial in the previous three months. [NOTE: after completing a stem cell or gene therapy intervention, participants will become eligible after the final study follow-up visit of the stem cell or gene therapy study so long as at least six months have passed since the final intervention administration. After completing a supplement or drug therapy (other than stem cell or gene therapy), participants will be eligible after the final study follow-up visit as long as at least three months have passed since the final intervention of the trial.]
15. Currently taking a dose of 250 mg or more of nicotinamide riboside, vitamin B3, niacin. Currently taking a slow-release form of niacin. Currently taking resveratrol or has taken any these drug(s) in past six months. Participants taking a multi-vitamin will not be excluded if the dose of vitamin B3 is less than 250 mgs.
16. Increase in angina or angina at rest
17. Non-English speaking.
18. Visual impairment that limits walking ability.
19. Women who are pregnant or who are pre-menopausal will not be eligible.
20. In addition to the above criteria, investigator discretion will be used to determine if the trial is unsafe or not a good fit for the potential participant.

Potentially eligible participants will be advised that Medicare coverage for 12 weeks of supervised treadmill exercise is now available. Potential participants who have not participated in supervised treadmill exercise covered by Medicare and who desire to participate will be referred back to their physician for follow-up. These individuals may become eligible six months after they complete supervised treadmill exercise.

Vulnerable populations (fetuses, pregnant women, children, prisoners, and institutionalized persons) and adults unable to consent will not be included in the study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Nicotinamide riboside + resveratrol; Participants randomized to the NR + resveratrol arm of the study will receive 1,000 mg of NR and 125 mg of resveratrol daily for six months.	Drug: Nicotinamide riboside; Participants randomized to the NR + resveratrol arm or the NR + placebo arm of the study will receive 1,000 mg of NR daily for six months.; Other Names: Niagen; NR; Drug: Resveratrol; Participants randomized to the NR + resveratrol arm of the study will receive 125 mg of resveratrol daily for six months.
Active Comparator: Nicotinamide riboside + placebo; Participants randomized to the NR + placebo arm of the study will receive 1,000 mg of NR and a placebo daily for six months.	Drug: Nicotinamide riboside; Participants randomized to the NR + resveratrol arm or the NR + placebo arm of the study will receive 1,000 mg of NR daily for six months.; Other Names: Niagen; NR; Other: Placebo; Participants randomized to the NR + placebo arm of the study will receiving placebo pills that are identical in appearance to resveratrol. Participants randomized to the placebo + placebo arm of the study will receive pills that are identical in appearance to NR and resveratrol. Participants will receive placebo pills daily for six months.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo + placebo; Participants randomized to the placebo + placebo arm of study will receive placebo pills.	Other: Placebo; Participants randomized to the NR + placebo arm of the study will receiving placebo pills that are identical in appearance to resveratrol. Participants randomized to the placebo + placebo arm of the study will receive pills that are identical in appearance to NR and resveratrol. Participants will receive placebo pills daily for six months.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Six-minute Walk Distance (NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR alone improves six-minute walk distance at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Six-minute Walk Distance (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves six-minute walk performance at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Six-minute Walk Distance (NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR alone improves six-minute walk performance at 3-month follow-up, compared to placebo.	Baseline to 3-month follow-up
Six-minute Walk Distance (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves six-minute walk performance at 3-month follow-up, compared to placebo.	Baseline to 3-month follow-up
Six-minute Walk Distance (NR/Resveratrol vs. NR Alone)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves six-minute walk performance at 3-month follow-up, compared to NR alone.	Baseline to 3-month follow-up
Six-minute Walk Distance (NR/Resveratrol vs. NR Alone)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves six-minute walk performance at 6-month follow-up, compared to NR alone.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Maximal Treadmill Walking Time (NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR alone improves maximal treadmill walking time at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) Distance Score (NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR alone improves the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) distance score at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The WIQ is a well validated questionnaire that measures patient-reported walking limitations in distance and speed and stair-climbing. They are scored on a 0-100 scale and that 100 indicates the best possible score.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Physical Activity (NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR alone improves physical activity at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The physical activity outcome was measured with the ActiGraph, in Activity Units. Higher scores indicate greater activity. The lowest possible score is zero, indicating sedentary time.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Maximal Treadmill Walking Time (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves maximal treadmill walking time at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) Distance Score (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves the Walking Impairment Questionnaire distance score at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The WIQ is a well validated questionnaire that measures patient-reported walking limitations in distance and speed and stair-climbing. They are scored on a 0-100 scale and that 100 indicates the best possible score.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Physical Activity (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves physical activity at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The physical activity outcome was measured with the ActiGraph, in Activity Units. Higher scores indicate greater activity. The lowest possible score is zero, indicating sedentary time.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Maximal Treadmill Walking Time (NR/Resveratrol vs. NR Alone)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves maximal treadmill walking time at 6-month follow-up, compared to NR alone.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) Distance Score (NR/Resveratrol vs. NR Alone)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) distance score at 6-month follow-up, compared to NR alone. The WIQ is a well validated questionnaire that measures patient-reported walking limitations in distance and speed and stair-climbing. They are scored on a 0-100 scale and that 100 indicates the best possible score.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Physical Activity (NR/Resveratrol vs. NR Alone)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves physical activity at 6-month follow-up, compared to NR alone.. The physical activity outcome was measured with the ActiGraph, in Activity Units. Higher scores indicate greater activity. The lowest possible score is zero, indicating sedentary time.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Six-minute Walk Distance (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group)have greater improvement in six-minute walk distance, compared to those randomized to placebo. Mixed model for repeated measures is applied to Placebo vs. 2 NR groups combined. The reported results of within group change and between group difference are Least Squares Mean (Standard Error) from the model adjusted for baseline six-minute walk + age + sex + race + resveratrol usage.	Baseline to 3-month follow-up
Six-minute Walk Distance (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group)have greater improvement in six-minute walk distance, compared to those randomized to placebo. Mixed model for repeated measures is applied to Placebo vs. 2 NR groups combined. The reported results of within group change and between group difference are Least Squares Mean (Standard Error) from the model adjusted for baseline six-minute walk + age + sex + race + resveratrol usage.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Maximal Treadmill Walking Time (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group)have greater improvement in maximal treadmill walking time, compared to those randomized to placebo.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) Distance Score (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group)have greater improvement in Walking Impairment Questionnaire distance score, compared to those randomized to placebo. The WIQ is a well validated questionnaire that measures patient-reported walking limitations in distance and speed and stair-climbing. They are scored on a 0-100 scale and that 100 indicates the best possible score.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Physical Activity (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group)have greater improvement in physical activity, compared to those randomized to placebo. The physical activity outcome was measured with the ActiGraph, in Activity Units. Higher scores indicate greater activity. The lowest possible score is zero, indicating sedentary time. Mixed model for repeated measures is applied to Placebo vs. 2 NR groups combined. The reported results of within group change and between group difference are Least Squares Mean (Standard Error) from the model adjusted for baseline six-minute walk + age + sex + race + resveratrol usage.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
NAD+ Abundance in Gastrocnemius Muscle (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	The outcome measure is the comparison of 6-month change in gastrocnemius muscle biopsy measures of NAD+ abundance between NR and placebo and between NR + resveratrol and placebo. Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group) have greater improvement in NAD+ abundance, compared to those randomized to placebo. Measurements of NAD+ abundance were completed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a Shimadzu LC-20A pump and UV-VIS detector using a Supelco LC-18-Tcolumn, normalized to muscle weight.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Satellite Cell Abundance in Gastrocnemius Muscle (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	The outcome measure is the comparison of 6-month changes in gastrocnemius muscle biopsy measures of satellite cell abundance between NR and placebo and between NR + resveratrol and placebo. Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group) have greater improvement in satellite cell abundance, compared to those randomized to placebo. Satellite cell abundance was measured via density (satellite cells/100 fibers) using antibodies against: Pax7, type 1 myosin, and laminin.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Gastrocnemius Muscle Fiber Phenotype(NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	The outcome measure is the comparison of 6-month changes in gastrocnemius muscle biopsy measures of Percent Type 1 myofibers (%) between NR and placebo and between NR + resveratrol and placebo. Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group) have greater improvement in muscle fiber phenotype, compared to those randomized to placebo. Measurements of fiber type % were determined on frozen muscle sections using antibodies against: Pax7, type 1 myosin, and laminin. Mixed model for repeated measures is applied to Placebo vs. 2 NR groups combined. The reported results of within group change and between group difference are Least Squares Mean (Standard Error) from the model adjusted for baseline six-minute walk + age + sex + race + resveratrol usage.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Gastrocnemius Muscle Satellite Cell Abundance (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo and NR vs. Placebo)	Investigators will perform calf muscle biopsies to determine whether among participants with PAD, those randomized to NR + resveratrol and NR alone have increased satellite cell abundance compared to the placebo group. Satellite cell abundance was measured via density (satellite cells/100 fibers) using antibodies against: Pax7, type 1 myosin, and laminin.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
NAD+ Abundance in Gastrocnemius Muscle (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo and NR vs. Placebo)	Investigators will perform calf muscle biopsies to determine whether among participants with PAD, those randomized to NR + resveratrol and NR alone have increased calf muscle NAD+ abundance, compared to the placebo group. Measurements of NAD+ abundance were completed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a Shimadzu LC-20A pump and UV-VIS detector using a Supelco LC-18-Tcolumn, normalized to muscle weight.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Muscle Fiber Phenotype in Gastrocnemius Muscle (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo and NR vs. Placebo)	Investigators will perform calf muscle biopsies to determine whether among participants with PAD, those randomized to NR + resveratrol and NR alone have improved muscle fiber phenotype (Percent Type 1 myofibers (%)), compared to the placebo group. Measurements of fiber type % were determined on frozen muscle sections using antibodies against: Pax7, type 1 myosin, and laminin.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) Speed Score (NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR alone improves the Walking Impairment Questionnaire speed and stair climbing score at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The WIQ is a well validated questionnaire that measures patient-reported walking limitations in distance and speed and stair-climbing. They are scored on a 0-100 scale and that 100 indicates the best possible score.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Short-Form Physical Functioning (SF-36) Score (NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR alone improves the Walking Impairment Questionnaire speed and stair climbing scores and the Short-Form Physical Functioning score at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The SF-36 measures health status. The score range is 0-100, where 100 is best.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) Stair Climbing Score (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves the Walking Impairment Questionnaire speed and stair climbing scores at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The WIQ is a well validated questionnaire that measures patient-reported walking limitations in distance and speed and stair-climbing. They are scored on a 0-100 scale and that 100 indicates the best possible score.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Short-Form Physical Functioning (SF-36) Score (NR/Resveratrol vs. Placebo)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves the Short-Form Physical Functioning score at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The SF-36 measures health status. The score range is 0-100, where 100 is best.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) Speed Score (NR/Resveratrol vs. NR Alone)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves the Walking Impairment Questionnaire speed and stair climbing score at 6-month follow-up, compared to NR alone. The WIQ is a well validated questionnaire that measures patient-reported walking limitations in distance and speed and stair-climbing. They are scored on a 0-100 scale and that 100 indicates the best possible score.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Short-Form Physical Functioning (SF-36) Score (NR/Resveratrol vs. NR Alone)	Among participants with PAD, investigators will determine whether NR combined with resveratrol improves the Walking Impairment Questionnaire speed and stair climbing scores and the Short-Form Physical Functioning score at 6-month follow-up, compared to NR alone. The SF-36 measures health status. The score range is 0-100, where 100 is best.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) Speed Score (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group) have greater improvement in the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) speed and stair climbing score at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The WIQ is a well validated questionnaire that measures patient-reported walking limitations in distance and speed and stair-climbing. They are scored on a 0-100 scale and that 100 indicates the best possible score.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up
Short-Form Physical Functioning (SF-36) Score (NR/Resveratrol or NR Alone vs. Placebo)	Participants with PAD who received NR alone and those who received NR + resveratrol will be combined into one group and compared to the group receiving placebo, to determine whether NR alone or NR+ resveratrol (combined group) have greater improvement in the Short-Form Physical Functioning score at 6-month follow-up, compared to placebo. The SF-36 measures health status. The score range is 0-100, where 100 is best.	Baseline to 6-month follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Northwestern University
• Collaborators: American Heart Association
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Mary M McDermott, MD, Northwestern University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 23, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): May 23, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 20, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 13, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): November 16, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 9, 2025
• Last Verified: January 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: PAD; Peripheral Artery Disease; Resveratrol; Functional performance; Six-minute walk; Nicotinamide riboside (NR)
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Atherosclerosis; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Peripheral Vascular Diseases; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Antimetabolites; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Micronutrients; Antioxidants; Protective Agents; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins; Vasodilator Agents; Hypolipidemic Agents; Lipid Regulating Agents; Resveratrol; Niacin; Niacinamide; Nicotinic Acids
• Other Study ID Numbers: STU00206660

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No