BCAAs, Muscle Protein Synthesis and Glucose Uptake

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Healthy

• Registration Number: NCT06218264
• Lead Sponsor: Wageningen University

Brief Summary

The present study aims to quantify the insulin sensitivity and the skeletal muscle protein synthetic response to consuming a test drink containing all amino acids or all amino acids except for BCAAs.

Detailed Description

Twenty-eight healthy, young volunteers will receive a stable isotope tracer infusion (7.5h) combined with repeated blood and muscle sampling, to measure muscle protein synthesis rate in the postabsorptive state following ingestion of a drink containing all amino acids (n=14) or all amino acids except for BCAAs (n=14).

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-01-10
• Study First Submitted: 2024-01-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-01-11
• Study First Posted: 2024-01-23
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-22
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-29
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-31
• Study Completion: 2025-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 28

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged from 18-35 years
• 18.5 < Body mass index < 30 kg·m2
• Recreationally active (performing non-competitive physical exercise at least one time per week for minimally 30 minutes)

Exclusion Criteria

• Smoking
• Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, or genetic form of diabetes)
• Any diagnosed cardiovascular (heart) disease or high blood pressure (≥140 mmHg systolic and/or ≥90 mmHg diastolic)
• Chronic use of any prescribed or over the counter pharmaceuticals (excluding oral contraceptives and contraceptive devices)
• Known allergy to lidocaine
• Regular use of dietary protein and/or amino acid supplements (>3 times per week)
• Currently involved in a structured progressive resistance training programme (>3 times per week)
• A personal or family history of thrombosis (clots), epilepsy, seizures, or schizophrenia.
• Any previous motor disorders or disorders in muscle and/or lipid metabolism
• Presence of an ulcer in the stomach or gut and/or strong history of indigestion
• Known severe kidney problems
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Unable to give consent

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Postprandial muscle protein synthesis	4 hours	Muscle protein synthesis rate (FSR) prior to and following ingestion of an amino acid drink

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Forearm amino acid kinetics	Prior to and for 4 hours following amino acid intake	Plasma phenylalanine kinetics using a stable isotope tracer infusion
Forearm muscle glucose uptake	7.5 hours	Insulin sensitivity, measured as forearm glucose uptake, prior to and following ingestion of an amino acid drink
Whole-body insulin sensitivity	Four hours following ingestion of an amino acid drink	Whole-body insulin sensitivity, calculated using a modified Matsuda index

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Wageningen University and Research; 🇳🇱 Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands