Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 80

NPT Feasibility in Knee Osteoarthritis

Official title: A Prospective, Single-Arm, Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate Feasibility and Exploratory Clinical and Biomarker Signals of NRPT in Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis

Run by University of California, San Diego · NCT07917403 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether NRPT can be safely given to adults with knee osteoarthritis and whether it shows early signals of benefit.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment30 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of California, San Diego
Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Diego, California)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 2026
Main results expectedDecember 2027
Study endsOctober 2028
Registry record updatedNovember 4, 2026
Trial IDNCT07917403 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18-80 with unilateral KL 2-3 knee OA, baseline knee pain 20-80 on a 0-100 VAS, and stable OA therapy for 3 months prior.

Probably not a fit

Participants with advanced OA (KL outside 2-3), acute knee flare, or recent changes in OA therapies may not benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This exploratory, feasibility study evaluates NRPT (nicotinamide riboside plus pterostilbene) in adults with unilateral radiographic knee osteoarthritis. Participants take 2 capsules of NRPT twice daily for 12 weeks and complete questionnaires plus a walking test to gauge pain, function, and quality of life. Blood and urine samples are collected to explore inflammatory, NAD+, and cartilage-related biomarkers, helping to understand potential effects and guide future trials.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, NRPT could provide early signals of improved knee pain and function and inform larger studies.

How similar studies have gone: Previous exploratory work with NAD+ precursors has shown potential signals in related contexts, but this specific NRPT approach in knee OA is investigative.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form.
2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the planned 14-week duration of participation.
3. Adults aged 18 to 80 years (inclusive) at the time of consent, of any sex.
4. Unilateral symptomatic radiographic KOA defined as Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade 2 or 3 in the tibiofemoral joint of the index knee, as determined from a standing knee radiograph obtained within the prior 12 months or at Screening.
5. Knee pain in the index knee with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 20-80 (on a 0-100 scale) over the prior 7 days at Screening.
6. No changes in OA-directed therapy (including analgesics, NSAIDs, topical therapies, or non-pharmacologic regimens) in the 3 months prior to Screening.
7. Agreement to refrain from vitamin B3-containing supplements (nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside) and any multivitamin containing these ingredients for at least 14 days prior to Baseline and throughout the duration of the study.
8. Ability to take oral capsule medication and willingness to adhere to the prescribed NRPT regimen.
9. Agreement to adhere to lifestyle considerations specified in Section 5.3 throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior surgical intervention on the index knee (including arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, osteotomy, or joint replacement).
2. Severe radiographic knee disease (KL grade 4) in the index knee.
3. Bilateral symptomatic radiographic KOA (i.e., KL grade ≥2 with symptomatic pain in both knees).
4. Diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis (including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or crystal arthropathy of the index knee).
5. Use of systemic corticosteroids, intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injection in the index knee, chondroitin, glucosamine, or other polyphenol-containing supplements (including resveratrol, curcumin) within the 3 months prior to Screening.
6. Self-reported substantive change in physical activity level (initiation of a new exercise program or cessation of regular activity) within the 3 months prior to Screening.
7. Pregnancy, lactation, or planning pregnancy during the study period. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test at Screening.
8. Severe or uncontrolled comorbid conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise participant safety or interpretability of study data, including but not limited to: uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c \>9.0% or requiring recent insulin initiation); active cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, decompensated heart failure, or stroke within 6 months); severe chronic kidney disease (eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73 m²); active liver disease or AST/ALT \>2.5× the upper limit of normal; active malignancy (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) within 5 years; or active substance use disorder.
9. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to nicotinamide riboside, pterostilbene, resveratrol, or any excipient of Basis®.
10. Concurrent participation in another interventional clinical trial or use of an investigational agent within 30 days prior to Screening.
11. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the participant's ability to comply with the protocol or with the safety or scientific integrity of the study.

Where it's running

  • UCSD, La Jolla, California
    San Diego, California, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.