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Dietary Intake and Circulating Levels of Branched Chain Amino Acids

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Dietary Intake of Branched Chain Amino Acids
Interventions
Other: Diet high in amino acid levels
Other: Diet low in amino acid levels
Registration Number
NCT02110602
Lead Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Brief Summary

The investigators are conducting this research study to find out if eating low or high levels of specific amino acids changes the levels of these same amino acids in the blood. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein that are normally found in food. The amino acids the investigators are studying are called branched chain amino acids. The investigators will look at the levels (amount) of branched chain amino acids in blood before and after consumption of specially prepared meals. The investigators hypothesize that circulating branch chain amino acid (BCAA) levels will be lower following a low BCAA-content diet compared with a high BCAA-content diet.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
5
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adult males
  • Ages 20-40
  • Healthy
Exclusion Criteria
  • Age less than 20 or greater than 40
  • Female sex
  • Use of medications and herbal or vitamin supplements during the study or less than one month prior to enrollment in the study
  • Body mass index (BMI) less than 20 or greater than 25
  • Changes of more than 5 pounds in weight (increase or decrease) during the month prior to enrollment in the study
  • Participation in more than 300 minutes of exercise per week during the month prior to enrollment in the study or plans for changes in exercise level during the study
  • Known diabetes or pre-diabetes (based on prior diagnoses; use of medications to lower glucose; or fasting blood glucose > 100mg/dL at screening)
  • Untreated hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure > 140mmHg and diastolic blood pressure > 90mmHg)
  • Use of nicotine-containing products, including those inhaled, chewed, or patches during the study.
  • Use of drugs of abuse.
  • Conditions causing intestinal malabsorption, including celiac disease or a history of intestinal or gastric surgery
  • Restrictions that prevent adherence to standardized meals or unwillingness to adhere to a pre-specified meal plan, including abstinence from alcohol and limitation to 1 caffeinated beverage per day
  • Known anemia (men, hematocrit < 38%) based on prior testing

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Initial Diet - low in amino acid levelsDiet low in amino acid levelsVisit 1 (Day 1): Screening Visit Visit 2 (14-21 days after Visit 1): Begin low amino acid diet Visit 3 (4 days after Visit 2): Completion of low amino acid diet Visit 4 (3 days after Visit 3): Begin high amino acid diet Visit 5 (4 days after Visit 4): Completion of high amino acid diet, completion of study
Initial Diet - low in amino acid levelsDiet high in amino acid levelsVisit 1 (Day 1): Screening Visit Visit 2 (14-21 days after Visit 1): Begin low amino acid diet Visit 3 (4 days after Visit 2): Completion of low amino acid diet Visit 4 (3 days after Visit 3): Begin high amino acid diet Visit 5 (4 days after Visit 4): Completion of high amino acid diet, completion of study
Initial Diet - high in amino acid levelsDiet low in amino acid levelsVisit 1 (Day 1): Screening Visit Visit 2 (14-21 days after Visit 1): Begin high amino acid diet Visit 3 (4 days after Visit 2): Completion of high amino acid diet Visit 4 (3 days after Visit 3): Begin low amino acid diet Visit 5 (4 days after Visit 4): Completion of low amino acid diet, completion of study
Initial Diet - high in amino acid levelsDiet high in amino acid levelsVisit 1 (Day 1): Screening Visit Visit 2 (14-21 days after Visit 1): Begin high amino acid diet Visit 3 (4 days after Visit 2): Completion of high amino acid diet Visit 4 (3 days after Visit 3): Begin low amino acid diet Visit 5 (4 days after Visit 4): Completion of low amino acid diet, completion of study
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Comparison of Branch Chain Amino Acid levels following diet interventions4 days

A comparison of branched chain amino acid levels (as measured by mass spectrometry) following 4 days of a low and following 4 days of a high BCAA-content diet

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in fasting BCAA levels from native dietary intake to completion of diet intervention4 days

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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