SKIN PROTEIN TURNOVER IN OLDER ADULTS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Background: Aging is associated with specific skin changes that increase the risk of injury, such as pressure ulcers, and delay wound healing, thus complicating the course of other illnesses in seniors. Skin aging is due to both age and prolonged exposure to sunlight. We will focus on the skin changes that are not due to sunlight exposure. Specific Aims and Procedures (summary): 1) To determine if mixed skin protein turnover (synthesis and breakdown) can be used as alternative measures of dermal collagen protein turnover (synthesis and breakdown) in human subjects. 2) To determine if skin protein synthesis is lower and/or breakdown is faster in older individuals as compared to younger controls. Experimental Design (summary): Volunteers will be recruited by an institutional review board-approved advertisement that will be posted at the University of Texas Medical Branch, local newspapers, and social centers, and by word of mouth. We will study 8 younger (18 - 35 years) and 8 older (>70 years) men. Significance (summary): We hope to learn what the normal skin turnover is in healthy younger people, and we also hope to learn if the skin turnover changes with age. We will measure short-term skin growth and breakdown in younger and older people.