Scientists track protein replacement across the lifespan with heavy water
NCT ID NCT06269653
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at how quickly proteins in the body are replaced, a process called protein turnover, in healthy adults aged 20 and older. Participants drink heavy water for 21 days and undergo tests including muscle, skin, and fat biopsies, imaging scans, and strength tests. The goal is to understand how aging changes protein turnover, which could inform future health research.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- deuterium oxide (heavy water)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help scientists understand how aging affects protein turnover, potentially pointing toward ways to maintain health in older age.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early observational study with only 75 healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to everyone. It does not test any treatment.
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.
- Participants
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About 75 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2024
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Participants will be enrolled into the following age-groups: 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70-plus years with 6 participants (3 men and 3 women) in each age group.
- Ages
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20 to 120 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: To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all the following criteria: * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study. * Male or female, age \>= 20years. * BMI \>20 and \<30. * In good general health as evidenced by medical history/exam/laboratory. * IL6\< 3.5 pg/mL. * Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) \> 0.9. * No history of increased bleeding due to either a known medical condition or an undiagnosed cause. * Does not currently smoke/tobacco use. * Eligible for muscle biopsy procedures. * Is not allergic to lidocaine or other local anesthetics. * Able to speak and read English. * Ability of subject to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 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. * Has a diagnosis of cognitive impairment that clearly prevents the participant from providing informed consent. * Has a history of, or evidence of heart disease including unstable angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled cardiac arrythmias, moderate to severe valvular disease. * Has a history or has chronic liver disease as evidenced by medical history or ALT, AST, or alkaline phosphatase twice the normal serum concentration. * Drinks more than three drinks of alcohol per day on average. * Has a history of, or evidence of chronic kidney disease or serum creatinine \>1.1 mg/dL. Participants must be able to speak and read English. The reason for this is for safety reasons especially as it relates to the muscle biopsy procedures. Participants will be required to provide medication history and to understand and report any problems post muscle biopsy to the research medical staff. In addition, the medical staff will be contacting the participant after the biopsies to ensure that they are recovering and do not have significant side effects for which the participant must be able to clearly verbalize for the medical staff to determine if additional observation or treatment is indicated.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institute of Aging, Clinical Research Unit
RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States
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