NCT00242255

Epigenetics in the Aging Process

Completed Last updated 9 February 2021

What this trial tests

trial in Aging in 90 participants. Completed in 5 February 2021.

Timeline

23 September 2008

Primary endpoint
4 May 2020

5 February 2021

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Status	Completed
Study type	OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment	90
Start date	23 September 2008
Primary completion	4 May 2020
Estimated completion	5 February 2021
Sites	4 locations across United States

Conditions studied

• Aging — all drugs for Aging →

Sponsor

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Who can join

Adults 14 to 90, any sex, with Aging. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

This study will examine the role of epigenetics (heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in DNA sequence) in the aging process. DNA is the primary genetic material, responsible for transmitting information from one cell to the next or from one generation to the next. A second layer of heredity is described by the term "epigenetics."

Epigenetic information is reset from one generation to the next. It works in two ways: 1) by modification of the DNA, like balloons stuck at irregular intervals onto the sides of the DNA helix that encodes genes, and 2) through specialized protein shells that wrap around some regions of DNA. As in DNA, these shells can copy themselves and can transmit instructions. Because they are used to turn genes on and off, errors in their settings cause critical misinformation to be transmitted.

Aging involves many changes, such as muscle weakening, graying hair, skin wrinkling, and so forth. There are several current theories of aging, including damage to genes by oxidation, shortening of tiny structures at the ends of chromosomes called telomeres, and the ability to stretch lifespan with caloric restrictions. This study will investigate the possible role of epigenetics in aging by examining and comparing the shell-like epigenetic settings in skin cells in young adults and older individuals. Preliminary results from earlier studies show differences in these settings in younger and older people.

Women between the ages of 21 and 30 years and 65 and 90 years who are undergoing breast reduction or mastectomy at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, may participate in this study. Tissue removed during surgery for pathological examination will also be used by researchers in this study to validate the preliminary findings noted above and to continue studies into the new area of epigenetics and aging.

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Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Unraveling Histone Loss in Aging and Senescence.
   Dubey SK, Dubey R, Kleinman ME. · · 2024 · cited 15× · PMID 38391933 · DOI 10.3390/cells13040320