Skin carotenoid levels and immune aging
Carotenoids in the Skin and Immune Aging: a Pilot Observational Study
This project will see if skin carotenoid levels are linked to immune health in healthy adults aged 18–30 and 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Stanford University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | methotrexate, prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Redwood City, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07221643 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will measure skin carotenoid content noninvasively and compare those levels with a range of immune-related health parameters in two age groups (18–30 and 65+). Eligible participants are healthy adults of all Fitzpatrick skin types who are not taking immune-altering prescription medications and do not have interfering skin disease on the upper extremity. The protocol excludes pregnant or breastfeeding people and those with uncontrolled medical conditions. Participants will attend the Stanford Health General Dermatology Clinic in Redwood City for measurements and specimen collection as specified by the study team.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Healthy adults aged 18–30 or 65 and older without uncontrolled medical conditions, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and not using immune-modifying prescription medications are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with active skin disease on the upper extremity, recent use of immune-suppressing medications, uncontrolled medical conditions, or who are pregnant/breastfeeding are unlikely to qualify or gain direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify a simple, noninvasive skin marker that reflects immune aging and help target monitoring or preventive efforts.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has used noninvasive skin carotenoid measurements to reflect dietary antioxidant status, but applying those measures specifically to track immune aging is relatively novel and not yet proven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Willing and able to provide written informed consent * Age 18-30 years OR 65 years and older * Healthy individuals without uncontrolled medical conditions (over the counter inhaled and topical steroids allowed) * Fiitzpatrick I-VI (all skin types) Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or breastfeeding * uncontrolled medical conditions * Skin conditions on the upper extremity that would interfere with skin measurements of carotenoid levels such as active atopic dermatitis or psoriasis * Concurrent use of medications that affect the immune system, within 4 weeks of enrollment (eg. prednisone, biologics, methotrexate, rapamycin, prescription topical steroids, prescription inhaled steroids, others) * Unable to follow study protocol
Where this trial is running
Redwood City, California
- Stanford Health - General Dermatology Clinic — Redwood City, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Xiaochen Zhong, BA
- Email: xczhong@stanford.edu
- Phone: 408-816-0111
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.