Actively Recruiting
Measuring Protein Turnover in Humans Across the Lifespan by Metabolic Labeling With Deuterium Oxide
Led by National Institute on Aging (NIA) · Updated on 2026-03-20
75
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
139 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Background: Proteins are essential to the health and structure of the cells that make up body tissues. Most proteins become damaged over time and are replaced with new ones. This process is called "protein turnover." Stress, disease, and aging can affect this process. Researchers want to better understand how aging affects protein turnover. Objective: To measure rates of protein turnover in healthy adults. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 20 years and older with a body mass index between 20 and 30. Design: Participants will have 6 study visits over 4 to 6 weeks. They will fast 12 hours before each visit. Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam, with blood and urine tests and tests of their heart function. They will lie down while blood pressure cuffs are used on their arms and legs. Participants will be given bottles of heavy water to drink at home on a schedule for 21 days. Each bottle holds about 3.5 tablespoons. Heavy water is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, like normal drinking water. It is safe to drink and has been used in research for many years. Participants will have tests during study visits, including: Imaging scans of a leg. Exercise on a treadmill. Biopsies of muscle, skin, and fat: Small samples of tissue will be cut from the calf and abdomen. Resting metabolic rate: Participants will lie still and breathe into a mask for 20 minutes. Knee/grip strength: Participants will do strength tests with their legs. They will squeeze a device with their hands. D3-Creatine: Participants will take 1 pill of D3-Creatine, which occurs naturally in muscle.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Measuring Protein Turnover in Humans Across the Lifespan by Metabolic Labeling With Deuterium Oxide
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Willingness to comply with all study procedures and available for the study duration
- Male or female, age 20 years or older
- Body mass index (BMI) greater than 20 and less than 30
- In good general health based on medical history, exam, and lab tests
- Interleukin 6 (IL6) less than 3.5 pg/mL
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) greater than 0.9
- No history of increased bleeding from known or unknown causes
- Non-smoker and no tobacco use
- Eligible for muscle biopsy procedures
- Not allergic to lidocaine or other local anesthetics
- Able to speak and read English
- Able to understand and willing to sign informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Regular use (more than twice a week) of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without willingness to stop during the study
- Use of medications increasing bleeding risk such as anticoagulants or antiplatelets (except low-dose aspirin)
- Unable to perform wound care on lower legs
- Diabetes diagnosis or treatment, or fasting glucose 126 or higher
- Current or past inflammatory or autoimmune diseases
- History of keloid formation
- Presence of wounds, rashes, or large fat deposits preventing biopsy access
- Use of investigational drugs or interventions within 8 weeks prior to enrollment
- Chronic diseases affecting health or life expectancy as judged by study doctor
- Genetic diseases like sickle cell, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Myasthenia Gravis, or Rheumatoid arthritis
- Severe mobility disabilities preventing walking, daily activities, or wound care
- Active cancer treatment within the past 10 years
- Musculoskeletal conditions causing weakness or chronic pain
- Medical conditions requiring continuous long-term treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or pain medications
- Significant sensory deficits such as legal blindness
- Pregnancy or nursing
- History or lab evidence of HIV, Hepatitis B or C
- Platelet counts below 100,000 or above 600,000 per microliter
- Positive urine drug screen unless prescribed medication approved by study doctor
- Current illness increasing biopsy risks
- History of active bleeding disorders like hemophilia or Von Willebrand disease
- Claustrophobia or ineligibility for MRI scans
- Hip or knee replacements or other conditions preventing MRI
- Cognitive impairment preventing informed consent
- History or evidence of heart disease including unstable angina, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, uncontrolled hypertension, arrhythmias, or valve disease
- History or evidence of chronic liver disease with elevated liver enzymes
- Alcohol intake of more than three drinks per day on average
- History or evidence of chronic kidney disease or elevated serum creatinine above 1.1 mg/dL
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institute of Aging, Clinical Research Unit
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21224
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Linda M Zukley, Ph.D.
CONTACT
L
Luigi Ferrucci, M.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
6
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