The Effect of Mealworm Protein Ingestion on Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates During Recovery From Endurance Type Exercise in Vivo in Humans
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 25
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Muscle protein synthesis rates
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Rationale: Consumption of sufficient dietary protein is fundamental to skeletal muscle mass maintenance and overall health. Conventional animal-based protein sources such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy are considered high-quality sources of dietary protein. However, the production of sufficient amounts of these conventional animal-based proteins to meet future global food demands will be challenging. Consequently, there is a great interest in more sustainable alternatives for these high-quality protein sources. Edible insects have recently been proposed as a high quality source of dietary protein. Insects are produced on a more viable and sustainable commercial scale and, as such, may contribute to ensuring global food security. Insect derived proteins represent a protein source that combines high quality with a (more) sustainable production. Though insect proteins have been suggested as a solution to secure future global dietary protein needs, there little data to support the bioavailability of insect derived proteins and their capacity to stimulate post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates in vivo in humans.
Objective: To assess the impact of ingesting mealworm derived protein on muscle protein synthesis rates during recovery from aerobic exercise in a group healthy men and women Study design: randomized, counter-balanced, cross-over design Study population: 20 healthy lean (BMI 18.5-30 kg/m2) young males and females (age: 18-35 y inclusive).
Intervention: Subjects will perform running exercise and consume either 0.38 g per kg bodyweight mealworm protein or a non-caloric placebo. In addition, continuous intravenous tracer infusions will be applied, with plasma and muscle samples collected.
Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome will be post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates following beverage ingestion.
Detailed Description
To assess whether volunteers are eligible to participate in this study, we will invite them to the University for a screening visit. At the start of the screening session, the entire experimental trial will be explained and any potential questions will we answered. Thereafter, the volunteers are asked to read, fill out, and sign the informed consent form. After signing the informed consent form, the participants eligibility will be assessed based on the in- and exclusion criteria. To further asses their eligibility, participants will be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire to assess their general health, use of medication, habitual food intake and physical activity. Body mass (with accuracy of 0.1 kg) and height (with accuracy of 0.01 m) will be determined, and body composition assessed via a Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. A DEXA scan is a simple, non-invasive procedure. At the beginning of the procedure, subjects will be asked to lie down on a scan table and they need to remain motionless during the measurements. As the scanner moves, a dual energy beam passes through the targeted skeletal muscle section and is measured by a detector. This procedure is repeated until the whole body is scanned and takes approximately 3 minutes.
The screening sessions will take place in the morning and participants are instructed to not have any breakfast in the morning in order to avoid perturbations in the DEXA scan.
In the event of an unexpected medical finding during the screening, subjects will always be notified. If a subject does not want to receive this notification, he/she cannot participate in the study. Then provide the participant with a commercially available snack. Finally, Vo2peak will be determined by an incremental running test to volitional fatigue using a running treadmill (Technogym, Rotterdam). After a 5 minute warm-up at walking speed (5 km/h), speed will be increased (women 8km/h and men 9 km/h) for three minutes. Next, speed will be increased to 11 km/h for women and 12 km/h for men for two minutes. Subsequently, the running speed will remain equal, however, the incline will increase every 2 minutes by 2% until volitional fatigue. O2 uptake and CO2 excretion (Omnical, Maastricht University, The Netherlands), running speed (v), incline (%) and heart rate (Polar Finland) will be recorded at every interval. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) will be determined using the Borg scale 6-20 after completion of the test.
After the screening visit, participants will be provided with a 2 day food and activity log , to be filled out during the 2 days prior to Test Day 1. Following Test Day 1, participants will be provided with a 2 day food and activity log, to be filled out during the 2 days prior to Test Day 2.
During these 2 days, participants are allowed to eat and drink the foods they would normally consume, except from alcoholic beverages and protein supplements. Additionally, participants will need to consume a standardized dinner and snack the evening before the experimental trial, no later than 22:00. This standardized dinner is an 'Aviko maaltijdpannetje' and will be purchased at a regular supermarket. As evening snack a 'Mondelice vanille dessert' and a 'Liga Evergreen' will be provided. The expiration date from the manufacturer will be checked. Meanwhile, the meals will be stored in an appropriate freezer at the dietary kitchen in the Metabolic Research Unit Maastricht (MRUM) at the department of Human Biology. The subjects will receive the dinner meal for the evening before Test Day 1 after the screening session and receive the dinner meal to be consumed the evening before Test Day 2 at the end of the first test day.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
protein and placebo are matched for flavour and provided in dark bottle. Independent person is responsible for drink randomization and preparation. Final blood and muscle analyses are performed by research personnel that was unaware of treatment allocation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 35 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Age 18 - 35 y
- •BMI 18.5 - 30 kg/m2
- •Having given informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •Participating in a structured (progressive) exercise program
- •Smoking regularly
- •Allergy to house dust mites or crustaceans
- •Diagnosed GI tract disorders or diseases
- •Diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders
- •Diagnosed metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes)
- •Cardiovascular disease
- •Hypertension (blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg)
- •Donated blood 3 months prior to test day
- •Amenorrhea
- •Using third generation oral contraceptives
- •Use of any medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories).
- •Chronic use of gastric acid suppressing medication
- •Chronic use of anti-coagulants
- •Recent (<1 year) participation in amino acid tracer (L-[ring-13C6]-phenylalanine and L-[3,5-2H2]-tyrosine studies
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Muscle protein synthesis rates
Time Frame: 0-6 hours
Muscle protein synthesis rates are calculated using L-ring-13C6-phenylalanine tracer and provided as 1 integrated value over the specified timeframe using plasma as precursor.
Secondary Outcomes
- Muscle protein synthesis rates(3-6 hours)
- Plasma glucose concentrations(0-6 hours)
- Plasma insulin concentrations(0-6 hours)
- Plasma amino acids concentrations(0-6 hours)