MedPath

Protein Supplementation and Skeletal Muscle Healing Process

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Skeletal Muscle Damage
Intracellular Signaling in Skeletal Muscle
Proteasome Activation
Exercise-induced Aseptic Inflammation
Skeletal Muscle Performance
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Milk protein isolate
Dietary Supplement: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT02816411
Lead Sponsor
University of Thessaly
Brief Summary

In this study the investigators utilized protein supplementation over an 8-day period following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage in order to test the initial hypotheses : i) protein supplementation after exercise-induced muscle injury affects exercise-induced aseptic inflammation and muscle performance.

Detailed Description

The objective was to examine weather protein supplementation is able to affect the inflammatory response as well as recovery of muscle performance following an intense eccentric exercise protocol. In a double-blind, counterbalanced design, 14 men received either Placebo (PLA) or milk protein isolate (PRO) for 8 consecutive days following a single bout of exercise (300 eccentric contractions at 30 deg/sec). In both conditions, performance was assessed at baseline, immediately post-exercise, 2h post-exercise and daily for 8 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 2h post-exercise and daily for the remaining 8 days. Muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis were collected at baseline as well as at day 2 and day 8 of the post-exercise period.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
14
Inclusion Criteria
  • a) recreationally trained as indicated by the maximal oxygen consumption levels (VO2max > 45 ml/kg/min), b) engaged in systematic exercise at least three times per week for > 12 months, c) non-smokers, d) abstained from any vigorous physical activity during the study, e) abstained from consumption of caffeine, alcohol, performance-enhancing or antioxidant supplements, and medications during the study.
Exclusion Criteria
  • a) a recent febrile illness, b) history of muscle lesion, c) lower limb trauma

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ProteinMilk protein isolateMilk protein isolate supplementation: orally, 20g of protein immediately post-exercise and then 20g every 3h on 3 occasions (+3, +6, +9), on the exercise day. The remaining 8 days, 20g daily with breakfast.
PlaceboPlaceboPlacebo administration: orally 500 ml, immediately post-exercise as well as at +3, +6 and +9 hours, on the exercise day. The remaining 8 days, 500 ml daily with breakfast.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in testosterone concentration in plasma1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Changes in volume and morphological complexity of immune cells1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Change in proteasome activities in muscle1h before exercise, 2 days post-exercise, 8 days post-exercise

Measurement of LLVY, LSTR and LLE

Change in creatine kinase activity in plasma1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Change in neutrophil count in blood1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Change in cytokine concentration in plasma1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Measurement of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α

Change in total antioxidant capacity in serum1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Total antioxidant capacity in serum

Change in protein expression level of proteasome subunits1h before exercise, 2 days post-exercise, 8 days post-exercise

Measurement of B1i, B2i, B5i, B5, B1, B2 and α7

Change in protein carbonyls in serum1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Concentration of protein carbonyls

Change in thiobarbituric acid and reactive substances in serum1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration in serum

Change in white blood cell count in blood1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Change in glucose concentration in blood1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Change in insulin concentration in blood1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Change in adhesion molecule concentration in blood1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Change in reduced glutathione in blood1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Concentration of reduced glutathione in red blood cells

Change in protein carbonyls in muscle1h before exercise, 2 days post-exercise, 8 days post-exercise

Protein carbonyl concentration in quadriceps skeletal muscle group

Change in oxidized glutathione in blood1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Concentration of oxidized glutathione in red blood cells

Change in catalase activity in serum1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Catalase activity in serum

Change in C-reactive protein in plasma1h before exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise
Change in intracellular signalling proteins in muscle1h before exercise, 2 days post-exercise, 8 days post-exercise

Measurement of phosphorylation levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) and nuclear factor kB (NFkB), and protein expression levels of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1), HSP70, and parkin.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Maximal aerobic capacityOne day before exercise

Assessment of maximal oxygen consumption

Body compositionOne day before exercise

Assessment of percent (%) body mass

Change in muscle function of knee extensor and flexor muscle1h before exercise, 5 min post-exercise, 2h post-exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Assessment of muscle peak and mean torque of knee extensors and flexors on an isokinetic dynamometer at 0, 90 and 180 degrees/sec

Change in dietary intake profile1h before exercise, daily for 8 days post-exercise

Assessment of dietary intake with emphasis on protein consumption

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, School of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly

🇬🇷

Karies, Trikala, Greece

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath