Gene Expression Changes In Young and Geriatric Skin

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study does not involve any particular diagnosis. The goal of this research study is to explore the effects of artificial sunlight (ultraviolet B radiation; UVB) on the skin of young adults versus geriatric adults. Sunlight exerts many effects on the body. There is evidence that in response to ultraviolet B radiation (UVB), which are the burning rays of sunlight, young adult skin responds differently than geriatric skin. In fact, researchers feel that this difference in how the skin reacts to UVB is why skin cancers are found in older skin. Researchers believe that a major difference between young adult and geriatric skin is that young skin has a lot of a protein called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), whereas geriatric skin has very little. The current study will test how young adult versus geriatric skin responds to UVB, and if geriatric skin treated with an injection of small amount of IGF-1 drug will then act like young skin.

Official Title
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Gene Expression Changes in Young and Geriatric Skin

Conditions
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UVB Phototherapy Burn, Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, Aging

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1
* Other: No Insulin-Lie Growth Factor 1


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male/Female White skin (Fitzpatrick types I and II) Age 21-30 or 65 and older Able to comprehend procedures/risks Exclusion Criteria: Known photosensitivity Currently on photosensitizing medications Diabetes Mellitus History of abnormal scarring History of skin infections Known allergy to lidocaine local anesthetic Pregnancy or nursing Other serious health issues

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Placebo Comparator: Young Adult<br>One small area of skin will undergo treatment with a small amount of UVB. | Other: No Insulin-Lie Growth Factor 1<br>* No Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 will be given.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Geriatric Adult<br>Four small areas will undergo injection of a small amount of IGF-1 drug and two will undergo injections with saline. Then the injected areas will be treated with a small amount of UVB. | Drug: Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1<br>* Growth factor protein<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in expression genes involved in protecting skin cells from UVB damage in younger skin and geriatric skin injected with IGF-1 from baseline | Expression genes involved in protecting skin cells from UVB damage, including p21, xeroderma pigmentosum (XPC), and polymerase eta, will be higher following UVB exposure in younger skin and geriatric skin injected with IGF-1 than in geriatric skin injected with saline as a control. | 2 Days |