Could a simple supplement shield you from air pollution?
NCT ID NCT03314987
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether the dietary supplement carnosine can protect against the harmful effects of air pollution. Researchers will give 299 adults either carnosine or a placebo and measure markers of oxidative stress and heart health. The goal is to see if this natural antioxidant can reduce pollution-related damage.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- L-carnosine (a dietary supplement)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple supplement to help reduce some health risks from air pollution.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study looking at biological markers, not actual disease outcomes. The results may not lead to a proven health benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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299 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2018
- Finished
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Nov 2022
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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22 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Individuals between 22-65 years of age of either gender and all ethnicities, 2. All genders and all ethnicities 3. Residing in or near the Louisville metropolitan area 4. Consumes some type of meat/fish at least once a month during the past 3 months 5. Carnosine levels below the median level of the population 6. Agrees to complete all study visits and follow study intervention regimen 7. Will be living in the study area throughout the study period, with no more than 1 week away from the study area. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Consumed any dietary supplement more than 3 times per week in the past 4 weeks (one month) 2. Current / ongoing treatment for substance abuse 3. Currently undergoing treatment or have conditions which may cause participant to be immunosuppressed 4. Diseases Affecting Peripheral Cell Count (i.e. Autoimmune Diseases - Hashimoto, Rheumatoid Arthritis, SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Takayasu arteritis, Kawasaki disease, Polyarteritis nodosa.) 5. Diseases Affecting Bone Marrow capacity 6. Diagnosis of any active cancer 7. Recent organ / kidney transplant or replacement (Active/Long-Term Medications) 8. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus 9. Untreated thyroid disease 10. Untreated anemia 11. Current acute infections (Influenza, fever, etc.) 12. HIV positive status 13. Active/current Hepatitis HepA, HepB or HepC or in past 6 months 14. Currently or planning to be Pregnant / lactating 15. Prisoners / vulnerable populations 16. Other medical conditions that compromise completion of study 17. Unwilling to provide consent
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Clinical Trials Unit
Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, United States