Study of DNA Repair in the Skin of Day and Night Shift Workers Aged 18 to 40

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how skin from night shift workers responds to artificial sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B radiation UVB, compared to skin from normal day shift workers. The study focuses on measuring DNA repair activity and gene expression related to skin damage and repair mechanisms in individuals with different work schedules. This pilot study aims to better understand potential differences in skin responses that might relate to skin cancer risks among these groups. Participants will have a small skin punch biopsy taken, which will then be exposed in the laboratory to UVB radiation or kept as a non-irradiated control. The study includes two groups based on work schedule day shift workers and night shift workers. The biopsies are incubated for one hour after UVB exposure before further analysis. Both groups undergo the same laboratory procedures to compare skin responses under controlled conditions. During the study, participants will provide information about their work schedules for the past three months and confirm their skin type and health status. Researchers will assess several primary outcomes including the expression level of the DNA repair factor XPA, core clock gene expression, nucleotide excision repair activity, and activation of DNA damage signaling pathways in the skin after UVB exposure. The total participation period is not explicitly stated but involves biopsy collection and laboratory analysis, with safety screening to exclude those with photosensitivity or other health issues.

DNA Repair Activity in the Skin of Day and Night Shift Workers