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Scientists probe how aging skin cells respond to wounds
NCT ID NCT02755584
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at how aging cells in the skin respond to small injuries. Researchers will take small skin samples from healthy adults aged 20-39 or 70+ to see if older people have more senescent (non-replicating) cells around wounds. The goal is to better understand aging and age-related diseases, not to test a new treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could help scientists understand how aging affects wound healing, potentially pointing toward treatments for age-related diseases.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 75 healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to everyone. It is observational and 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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75 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2016
- Finished
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Apr 2021
- 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
The study population includes healthy volunteers between the ages of 20-39 years and 70 years old and older. Each age group will be men and women Caucasian and African American.
- Ages
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20 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: * Age 20 - 39 years or age 70 years and older. * Healthy (see exclusion criteria below). * Are able to understand the study risks and procedures, and consent to participate in the study. * Are able to read and speak English. * Caucasian or African American * Previous enrolled participants. EXCLUSION CRITERIA (SCREENING VISIT): * A medical condition that requires the use of chronic anticoagulant medication use such as warfarin, clopidogrel, heparin or antiplatelet agents other than low dose aspirin (81mg). * History of increased bleeding due to either a known medical condition or an undiagnosed cause. * A medical condition that causes impaired wound healing such as diabetes. * Current androgenic/anabolic and/or corticosteroid use or use within 90 days of the procedure (ocular corticosteroid use okay). * Current antibiotic or anti-viral use or use within 60 days of the procedure. * Active infections or chronic skin conditions that would prevent access to the biopsy area. * Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as Motrin (Ibuprofen), Advil (Ibuprofen) or Naprosyn (Naproxen) and the participant is unable to stop taking them 3 days before the biopsy and 1 day after the biopsy procedure. * Taking more than 81 mg of aspirin a day and the participant is unable to stop taking it for 3 days before the biopsy and 1 day after the biopsy procedure. * Allergic to Lidocaine (Xylocaine) or any other local anesthetic or the participant has had in the past a severe allergic reaction to similar drugs. * Allergic to topical betadine solution. * Severe allergy to adhesives found in tape. * HIV virus infection. * Hepatitis B or C or exposure within 6 months of visit. * History of diabetes (requiring any medical treatment other than diet and exercise) or fasting plasma glucose is \>=126 mg/dL or HbA1c \>= 6.5%. * Clinically significant hormonal dysfunction (self-reported or laboratory values out of range. Mild hypothyroidism (TSH \< 10 microIU/mL) in participants over 60 is not considered exclusion). * Kidney disease (Creatinine \>1.5 mg/dl or calculated creatinine clearance \< 50 cc/min) * Liver disease (Bilirubin \> 1.5 mg/dl (unless higher levels can be ascribed to Gilbert s disease); ALT, AST or alkaline phosphatase twice the normal serum concentration). * Severe gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn s disease or ulcerative colitis requiring continuous treatment. * History of severe pulmonary disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma requiring continuous medication use. * History of severe psychiatric conditions associated with behavioral problems or requiring chronic medical treatment. * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding. * Participants with history of skin keloid formation during wound healing * Current illness that as judged by the study physician substantially increases the risks associated the skin biopsy(s) (active infections, allergies, etc.).
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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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National Institute on Aging, Clinical Research Unit
Baltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States
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