Prof. Shinichiro Imai
Theodore and Bertha Bryan Distinguished Professor | Washington University School of Medicine
About
Japanese researcher whose work with Leonard Guarente helped define the NAD+/sirtuin aging framework. Their 2014 review is a major conceptual source for why NMN became interesting as a translational NAD+ precursor.
Key contributions
- NAD+/sirtuin aging framework
- Yoshino-Imai laboratory clinical translations
Publications in our knowledge base (19)
Every paper below is cited at least once across NMN Malaysia articles. Click any title to read the source on PubMed/DOI and see the cluster of articles that depend on its findings.
- NAD World 3.0: the importance of the NMN transporter and eNAMPT in mammalian aging and longevity control
- Review article in NPJ Aging (2025) summarising the state of NAD+/NMN/sirtuin science
- Useful synthesis for understanding mechanism and evidence quality
- Cited as reference for NAD+ booster therapeutic claims
- Human plasma-derived eNAMPT-containing extracellular vesicles promote NAD(+) biosynthesis and thermogenesis in mice
- Preclinical animal study in NPJ Aging (2025) investigating NAD+/NMN pathway mechanisms
- Findings inform translational rationale; not yet replicated in humans
- Mechanistic data on tissue-specific NAD+ effects
- Permeation of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) in an Artificial Membrane as a Cosmetic Skin Permeability Test Model
- Mechanistic study in J Cosmet Dermatol (2025) on NAD+/sirtuin/longevity biology
- Adds to the foundational literature underlying NMN supplementation rationale
- First author: Betsuno R
- Absolute quantification of nicotinamide mononucleotide in biological samples by double isotope-mediated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (dimeLC-MS/MS)
- Mechanistic study in NPJ Aging (2024) on NAD+/sirtuin/longevity biology
- Adds to the foundational literature underlying NMN supplementation rationale
- First author: Unno J
- Effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide on older patients with diabetes and impaired physical performance: A prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
- Human study published in Geriatr Gerontol Int (2023) examining Effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide on older patients with diabetes and impaired physic...
- Provides clinical-grade evidence on NAD+/NMN-related outcomes in human participants
- First author: Akasaka H; cited frequently in NMN supplementation discussions
- Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women
- 10 weeks of 250 mg/day NMN improved muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic postmenopausal women
- First placebo-controlled NMN trial in women
- Skeletal muscle insulin signalling and remodelling improved
- Effect of oral administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide on clinical parameters and nicotinamide metabolite levels in healthy Japanese men
- Single oral doses of 100, 250, 500 mg NMN tolerated without adverse events in 10 men
- Plasma NMN metabolites rose dose-dependently
- First Japanese human safety study
- SS-31 and NMN: Two paths to improve metabolism and function in aged hearts
- Mechanistic study in Aging Cell (2020) on NAD+/sirtuin/longevity biology
- Adds to the foundational literature underlying NMN supplementation rationale
- First author: Whitson JA
- Slc12a8 is a nicotinamide mononucleotide transporter
- Identified Slc12a8 as putative direct NMN transporter in mice
- Controversial - disputed by Schmidt & Brenner 2019
- Important context for sublingual vs oral debate
- Extracellular Vesicle-Contained eNAMPT Delays Aging and Extends Lifespan in Mice
- Preclinical animal study in Cell Metab (2019) investigating NAD+/NMN pathway mechanisms
- Findings inform translational rationale; not yet replicated in humans
- Mechanistic data on tissue-specific NAD+ effects
- Reply to: Absence of evidence that Slc12a8 encodes a nicotinamide mononucleotide transporter
- Mechanistic study in Nat Metab (2019) on NAD+/sirtuin/longevity biology
- Adds to the foundational literature underlying NMN supplementation rationale
- First author: Grozio A
- NAD+ Intermediates: The Biology and Therapeutic Potential of NMN and NR
- Authoritative comparison of NMN and NR mechanisms
- Tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics
- Most-cited NMN vs NR review
- CA1 Nampt knockdown recapitulates hippocampal cognitive phenotypes in old mice which nicotinamide mononucleotide improves
- Preclinical animal study in NPJ Aging Mech Dis (2018) investigating NAD+/NMN pathway mechanisms
- Findings inform translational rationale; not yet replicated in humans
- Mechanistic data on tissue-specific NAD+ effects
- Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice
- 12-month NMN administration suppressed age-associated weight gain in mice
- Improved energy metabolism, insulin sensitivity, plasma lipid profile, mitochondrial function
- Foundation animal study cited in most NMN human trial rationales
- It takes two to tango: NAD(+) and sirtuins in aging/longevity control
- Review article in NPJ Aging Mech Dis (2016) summarising the state of NAD+/NMN/sirtuin science
- Useful synthesis for understanding mechanism and evidence quality
- Cited as reference for NAD+ booster therapeutic claims
- Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation reverses vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress with aging in mice
- Preclinical animal study in Aging Cell (2016) investigating NAD+/NMN pathway mechanisms
- Findings inform translational rationale; not yet replicated in humans
- Mechanistic data on tissue-specific NAD+ effects
- SIRT1-Mediated eNAMPT Secretion from Adipose Tissue Regulates Hypothalamic NAD+ and Function in Mice
- Preclinical animal study in Cell Metab (2015) investigating NAD+/NMN pathway mechanisms
- Findings inform translational rationale; not yet replicated in humans
- Mechanistic data on tissue-specific NAD+ effects
- NAD+ and sirtuins in aging and disease
- Foundational review on sirtuin/NAD+ biology underlying NMN rationale
- NAD+ decline with age framework
- Imai's lab original framework
- Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a key NAD(+) intermediate, treats the pathophysiology of diet- and age-induced diabetes in mice
- Preclinical animal study in Cell Metab (2011) investigating NAD+/NMN pathway mechanisms
- Findings inform translational rationale; not yet replicated in humans
- Mechanistic data on tissue-specific NAD+ effects
Why their work matters for Malaysian buyers
Prof. Shinichiro Imai's research forms part of the evidence base we use to evaluate NMN and NR products available in Malaysia. When we make claims about dose ranges, safety, mechanism, or efficacy on this site, those claims trace back through papers like the ones above. The Malaysian regulatory framework (NPRA notification, JAKIM halal certification) does not perform efficacy review on supplements - buyers must do their own evidence weighting. Researcher profiles help you verify that the underlying science is robust, not just marketing.
How we cite this work
Every NMN Malaysia article that depends on findings from Prof. Shinichiro Imai's lab carries an inline citation linking to a structured PubMed entry. You can verify any claim by clicking the citation and reading the source. This cited-research model is the bedrock of our editorial policy - see the 4-step review process for how we handle every health claim.
Related researchers
Browse other profiles: David Sinclair | Shinichiro Imai | Jun Yoshino | Charles Brenner | all profiles.