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NCT Number: NCT04888923

Natural History of the Human Biological Response to Environmental Exposure and Injury

Background:

Environmental exposures like pollution, diet, and stress can help cause human diseases, or make them worse. Researchers want to better understand how injury and inflammation are caused by these exposures. They want to collect biological and environmental samples and other data. They may use the samples to measure a range of factors, like hormones, toxins, and chemicals. This will help them improve their studies.

Objective:

To identify and understand how environmental exposures contribute to human disease.

Eligibility:

Healthy adults ages 18 and older

Design:

Participants will be screened with questions about their health history, demographics, and medicines they take.

Participants may give blood, hair, stool, saliva, and/or urine samples. They may have a skin punch biopsy to collect skin cells. They may give fingernail or toenail clippings. They may give a sample of exhaled breath.

Participants may give a sputum sample. They will inhale a saline mist and cough mucus into a cup.

Participants may have their nasal passages brushed, scraped, or washed.

Participants may give cheek cell samples. They will swish mouthwash and spit it into a cup.

Participants who produce sperm may give samples.

Participants may have bronchoscopy to collect fluid. A saline solution will be put into their lung and then suctioned out, washing areas of the lung.

Participants may have a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. They may have lung function tests.

Participants may collect household dust, urine, or stool at home.

Participants will complete surveys about their health, diet, and exposures.

Participation will last for one or more study visits.

Participants may be contacted in the future to take part in other studies.

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Key information

Conditions

Inflammation Metabolic Disease Metabolic Diseases Normal Controls Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

NIEHS Clinical Research Unit (CRU)

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

NIEHS Join A Study Recruitment Group

CONTACT

[email protected]

855-696-4347

About this study

Study Description:

Environmental exposures such as pollution, diet, stress, etc. contribute to the development and exacerbation of human disease. Understanding the mechanisms of environmentally induced injury and inflammation will allow us to devise better prophylaxis and treatment measures.

Subjects may undergo sampling of (including but not limited to:) blood, urine, saliva, household dust, cheek cells, hair, nasal cells, stool, nail clippings, exhaled breath condensate, sperm samples, skin cells, and/or sputum etc., and may answer predefined questionnaires regarding health and exposures.

Studies which may be performed on collected material includes establishment of cell cultures and immunologic studies.

Objectives:

Primary Objective: To identify the interaction of host and environmental factors in the response to injury and the development of disease.

Secondary Objectives: To develop better methodological tools in order to quantify host-environmental interactions in health and disease.

Endpoints:

Primary Endpoint: Biological markers of cell/tissue injury and inflammation, such as inflammatory cytokines, intracellular kinases or DNA/RNA damage in association with in vitro or in vivo environmental exposures.

Secondary Endpoints: Diseases or pathological processes (e.g. abnormal laboratory values) associated with environmental exposures.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
Ability to provide informed consent.
Able to read and speak English.
Male or female, aged greater than or equal to 18.
Able to travel to the NIEHS CRU for study visits.

Exclusion criteria

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

Not willing to have samples stored for future use.
Current pregnancy or lactation, by participant verbal confirmation.
Any condition that, in the investigator s opinion, places the participant at undue risk for complications associated with required study procedures.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

To identify the interaction of host and environmental factors in the response to injury and the development of disease.

Time frame: On-going

To identify the interaction of host and environmental factors in the response to injury and the development of disease.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Lawrence S Kirschner, M.D.

CONTACT

[email protected]

(984) 287-3562

NIEHS Join A Study Recruitment Group

CONTACT

[email protected]

(855) 696-4347

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Nih

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2021
Primary completion: 2031
Study completion: 2031
First posted: May 17, 2021
Registry last updated: Jul 16, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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