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Study on Melanin and Nicotine Uptake from Smoke-Exposed Clothing

This study is looking at how melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) affects how much nicotine your body absorbs from clothing exposed to cigarette smoke. Researchers believe that people with more melanin might absorb less nicotine and keep it in their skin longer. You would wear clothing that has been exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 hours. The study will measure nicotine levels in your blood and urine to see how your body processes it. They are looking for healthy adults between 18 and 50 years old who do not smoke and have specific skin color ranges. Your blood pressure, C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation), liver and kidney function, cholesterol, and blood sugar will also be checked to ensure you are healthy enough to participate.

Study design
This is an interventional study comparing nicotine uptake in people with different levels of skin melanin. It plans to enroll 60 participants.
What's involved
You would wear smoke-exposed clothing for 3 hours. Blood samples will be taken at the start and end of this period, and urine samples will be collected for 10 days.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
You will provide urine samples for 10 days after wearing the smoke-exposed clothing.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06020248

Melanin and Dermal Uptake of Thirdhand Cigarette Smoke

Recruiting
NAAges 18–50InterventionalBasic science
University of California, San Francisco
~60 participants
Updated 2026-06-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Wear clothing that has been exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 hours.

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in blood concentrations of nicotine
Measured over Baseline and 3 hours
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Healthy

Explore related trials

HealthyMelanin

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Suzaynn F Schick, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Francisco

Who to contact

Suzaynn F Schick, PhD
[email protected]
415-514-3535
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult nonsmoker
Aged 18-50
Skin reflectance scores below 150 or above 249 using the Mexameter 18 instrument
Healthy on the basis of medical history
Systolic blood pressure \<150
Diastolic blood pressure \<100
C-reactive protein \<3.1 mg/ml
Liver function (AST and ALT) in normal ranges
kidney function (BUN) in normal ranges
LDL\<131
Blood glucose \<110
Not exposed to tobacco SHS.

Exclusion

Dermal skin reflectance score between 150 and 249, as measured by the Mexameter 18 instrument.
Positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test
Age 18 \< or \> 50
Physician diagnosis of asthma, heart disease, hypertension, thyroid disease, diabetes, renal or liver impairment or glaucoma.
Unstable psychiatric condition (such as current major depression, history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) or current use of more than two psychiatric medications
Systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 150
Diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 100
Blood glucose greater than or equal to 110
LDL greater than or equal to130
Pregnancy or breastfeeding (by urine hCG and/or history)
Alcohol or illicit drug dependence within the past 5 years
BMI \> 35 and \< 18
Current illicit drug use (by history or urine test)
More than 1 pack year smoking history
Ever a daily marijuana smoker
Smoked anything within the last 3 months
Unable to hold allergy or other OTC medicines
Occupational exposure to smoke, dusts OR fumes
Concurrent participation in another clinical trial
Unable to communicate in English
No social security number

What this trial measures

  • Change in blood concentrations of nicotineBaseline and 3 hours

    The study will measure concentration of nicotine in the blood before and after the dermal exposure to nicotine.

  • Total combined urinary concentrations of the nicotine metabolites cotinine and 3-hydroxycotinineFirst void, collected for 10 days

    The study will measure urinary metabolites of nicotine in the first void of the day for 10 days after exposure and sum the total mass of metabolites.