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Ultraviolet Exposure, Antioxidant Use and Skin Erythema at Extreme High Altitude

NCT ID: NCT00685438

Last Updated: 2008-05-28

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

25 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2007-04-30

Study Completion Date

2007-06-30

Brief Summary

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With the increasing tourism and adventure travel into extreme environments comes the need to reassess the required protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation and possible other oxidative stresses. This is an observational study of UV radiation exposure and skin erythema while at extreme altitude (Mt. Everest). In addition to UV exposure, skin erythema, antioxidant use (such as vitamins C and E) will be measured.

Hypothesis:

1. UV radiation at extreme altitude has larger effects on the skin than at sea level; therefore requiring an adjustment of the antioxidant use for adequate protection.
2. The skin is an accurate reflection of UV and oxidative stress exposure
3. The efficacy of oxidatives stress is reflective of the ethnicity of the individual.

Detailed Description

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The literature widely acknowledges the deleterious effects of UV radiation on skin health, via production of oxidative free radicals. Consequently, there have been numerous studies on the potential dermatological/anti-carcinogenic benefits of anti-oxidants, such as vitamins C and E, melatonin, green tea, zinc, and selenium. There is, however, a limited amount of literature on the quantity of UV exposure in high-risk settings, such as extreme altitude and equatorial zones. Currently, there is no literature on UV exposure on Mount Everest. Additionally, the efficacy of antioxidants (topical or systemic) has not yet been established in this environment.

This will be an observational study where the principal investigator will collect accumulated ultraviolet exposure at different extreme altitudes during a 6 week period of a summit expedition on the north side of Mt. Everest. Included in the data collection will be patient demographics, time, altitude, temperature, use of anti-oxidants, sunscreen (weighed), and skin erythema (spectophotometer).

Conditions

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Altitude Ultraviolet Rays Antioxidants Oxidative Stress Erythema

Keywords

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Environmental Medicine Altitude Ultraviolet Rays Antioxidants Oxidative Stress Erythema

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

ECOLOGIC_OR_COMMUNITY

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Participants part of the expedition who are willing to wear the monitor, and disclose information of diet/antioxidant supplements and topical sunblock.

Exclusion Criteria

* Participants who are unwilling to carry the UV monitor or disclose their demographics
Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Ontario Centres of Excellence

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center

Principal Investigators

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Ivy S Cheng, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Sunnybrook Hospital Emergency Department

Lothar D Lilge, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ontario Cancer Institute

Locations

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Mount Everest, North side

Kathmandu, , Nepal

Site Status

Countries

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Nepal

References

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Solar and ultraviolet radiation. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 1992;55:1-316. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 1345607 (View on PubMed)

Nishigori C. Cellular aspects of photocarcinogenesis. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2006 Feb;5(2):208-14. doi: 10.1039/b507471a. Epub 2005 Dec 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16465307 (View on PubMed)

Pinnell SR. Cutaneous photodamage, oxidative stress, and topical antioxidant protection. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003 Jan;48(1):1-19; quiz 20-2. doi: 10.1067/mjd.2003.16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12522365 (View on PubMed)

Moehrle M, Dennenmoser B, Garbe C. Continuous long-term monitoring of UV radiation in professional mountain guides reveals extremely high exposure. Int J Cancer. 2003 Mar 1;103(6):775-8. doi: 10.1002/ijc.10884.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12516097 (View on PubMed)

Solorzano et al. Columbia: 40 Million People Exposed to Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation During the Whole Year. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 2000; 91(1-3): 325-328

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Moehrle M, Garbe C. Does mountaineering increase the incidence of cutaneous melanoma? A hypothesis based on cancer registry data. Dermatology. 1999;199(3):201-3. doi: 10.1159/000018274.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10592397 (View on PubMed)

Bartsch P, Bailey DM, Berger MM, Knauth M, Baumgartner RW. Acute mountain sickness: controversies and advances. High Alt Med Biol. 2004 Summer;5(2):110-24. doi: 10.1089/1527029041352108.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15265333 (View on PubMed)

Bailey DM, Kleger GR, Holzgraefe M, Ballmer PE, Bartsch P. Pathophysiological significance of peroxidative stress, neuronal damage, and membrane permeability in acute mountain sickness. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2004 Apr;96(4):1459-63. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00704.2003. Epub 2003 Oct 31.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 14594861 (View on PubMed)

Moehrle M, Garbe C. Personal UV dosimetry by Bacillus subtilis spore films. Dermatology. 2000;200(1):1-5. doi: 10.1159/000018306.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10681605 (View on PubMed)

Cheng I, Kiss A, Lilge L. An observational study of personal ultraviolet dosimetry and acute diffuse reflectance skin changes at extreme altitude. Wilderness Environ Med. 2013 Dec;24(4):390-6. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2013.05.007. Epub 2013 Sep 25.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 24075057 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

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http://www.biosense.de/hope-e.htm

Ultraviolet monitors being used

Other Identifiers

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005-2007

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id