Measuring Protein Turnover in Humans Across the Lifespan by Metabolic Labeling With Deuterium Oxide

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Healthy Volunteers

In brief

Background: Proteins are essential to the health and structure of the cells that make up body tissues. Most proteins become damaged over time and are replaced with new ones. This process is called "protein turnover." Stress, disease, and aging can affect this process. Researchers want to better understand how aging affects protein turnover. Objective: To measure rates of protein turnover in healthy adults. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 20 years and older with a body mass index between 20 and 30. Design: Participants will have 6 study visits over 4 to 6 weeks. They will fast 12 hours before each visit. Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam, with blood and urine tests and tests of their heart function. They will lie down while blood pressure cuffs are used on their arms and legs. Participants will be given bottles of heavy water to drink at home on a schedule for 21 days. Each bottle holds about 3.5 tablespoons. Heavy water is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, like normal drinking water. It is safe to drink and has been used in research for many years. Participants will have tests during study visits, including: Imaging scans of a leg. Exercise on a treadmill. Biopsies of muscle, skin, and fat: Small samples of tissue will be cut from the calf and abdomen. Resting metabolic rate: Participants will lie still and breathe into a mask for 20 minutes. Knee/grip strength: Participants will do strength tests with their legs. They will squeeze a device with their hands. D3-Creatine: Participants will take 1 pill of D3-Creatine, which occurs naturally in muscle.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06269653

Run by

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

People needed

75

Starts

2024-06-26

Expected to finish

2027-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-20

Who can join

Age: 20 and older, up to 120. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• Routinely taking (more than 2x/week) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) and unwilling to stop taking them for the duration of the study.
• Taking medications that could increase the chance of bleeding such as anticoagulants/antiplatelet such as Coumadin, Plavix, and Heparin. Low dose (81mg) aspirin use is okay.
• Is unable to reach down to perform wound care of the lower legs.
• Has laboratory evidence of diabetes at screening (fasting glucose >= 126) and/or diabetes requiring treatment, or treatment with any glucose lowering drug(s).
• Has current or history of inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases.
• History of keloid formation.
• Researchers are unable to access biopsy sites due to conditions such as wounds, rashes, or large deposits of adipose tissue.
• Is on treatment with an investigational drug or other intervention within 8 weeks of enrollment.
• Has any chronic disease that the study PI considers as a significant comorbidity that affects health and life expectancy.
• Has established genetic diseases such as sickle cell, hemochromatosis (iron overload), cystic fibrosis or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (connective tissue disorder).
• Has autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto s thyroiditis, Myasthenia Gravis, or Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Has severe mobility disability as evidenced by inability to walk without aids, perform activities of daily living and to reach down to lower legs to perform wound care.
• Has had active cancer on treatment in the last 10 years.
• Has muscle-skeletal conditions due to diseases or traumas (that cause pathological weakness and/or chronic pain).
• Has any medical condition that requires absolute and continuous need for long term treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressors, or pain medications.
• Has important sensory deficits such as legally blind.
• Is currently pregnant or a nursing mother.
• Has history of, or laboratory evidence of HIV, Hepatitis B or C at Screening.
• Has laboratory evidence of Platelets < 100,000 or >600,000 k/microliter.
• Has a positive urine drug screen unless taking prescribed medication and at the discretion of the PI.
• Has a current illness that as judged by the study physician substantially increases the risks associated with performing a biopsy procedure.
• Has a history of an active bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease.
• Is claustrophobic and/or is not eligible to perform MRI as per the MRI eligibility form.
• Has a hip or knee replacement or other medical conditions that prevents MRI research scans from being performed.

Where it is running

• National Institute of Aging, Clinical Research Unit — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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