MedPath

Protein in Feeding Strategies to Accelerate Muscle Recovery From ACL Reconstruction

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Rehabilitative Nutrition for Muscle Recovery From ACL Reconstruction
Interventions
Other: Diet Intervention_AP-CPT
Other: Diet Intervention_PP-PPT
Registration Number
NCT03492021
Lead Sponsor
University of Connecticut
Brief Summary

Musculoskeletal injury, particularly injuries requiring surgical repair, induce significant muscle atrophy, resulting in diminished physical function. The protein turnover-associated (diminished protein synthesis, elevated protein breakdown, negative net muscle protein balance) etiology of injury and surgical-induced atrophy are, in part, similar to those observed with muscle wasting induced by hyper-catabolic and inflammatory conditions and prolonged periods of skeletal muscle disuse (e.g., cachexia and joint immobilization). Combining dietary strategies to optimize the anabolic properties of beef as a high quality protein source that provides essential amino acids prior to surgery and throughout post-surgery rehabilitation may attenuate muscle atrophy and accelerate the restoration of muscle function. This project will examine the efficacy of habitual consumption of a beef-based higher protein meal pattern and post-physical rehabilitation beef protein supplementation throughout post-surgical rehabilitation intervention on skeletal muscle function in response to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair in healthy, physically active adults.

Stable isotope methodologies, proteomic analysis of muscle protein synthesis, and molecular assessments of skeletal muscle atrophy and remodeling will be assessed to evaluate the effects of increased protein intake, including consumption of a high quality beef-based protein supplement following patient physical therapy sessions on:

1. Skeletal muscle protein fractional synthetic rates during and in recovery from surgery;

2. Inflammatory, proteolytic, and anabolic intramuscular signaling during surgery and their association with skeletal muscle protein synthesis and muscle function;

3. Muscle size and functional recovery;

4. Duration to return to routine exercise, sport, or physical activity.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
6
Inclusion Criteria
  • 18 to 50 years of age
  • identified as appropriate for study recruitment by their respective orthopedic surgeon
  • undergoing their first anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair
  • undergo ACL reconstruction under general anesthesia
  • body mass indexes (BMIs) within normal to overweight ranges
Exclusion Criteria
  • reporting metabolic or cardiovascular abnormalities, food allergies, gastrointestinal disorders (i.e. lactose intolerance)
  • use of nutritional/herbal/sports supplements including anabolic steroids, and tobacco products will be excluded from the study
  • BMIs above 29.9

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Adequate Protein_Carbohydrate Post TherapyDiet Intervention_AP-CPTDiet Intervention - Adequate Protein (1.0 g/kg/d) - Carbohydrate Post Therapy \[AP-CPT\]
Optimal Protein_Protein Post TherapyDiet Intervention_PP-PPTDiet Intervention - Optimal Protein (2.0 g/kg/d) - Protein Post Therapy \[OP-PPT\]
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Skeletal muscle protein fractional synthetic ratesFollowing 16 weeks of physical rehabilitation post surgery for subjects in both diet intervention groups.

Using stable isotope techniques skeletal muscle protein fractional synthetic rates will be determined

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Orthopedic Associates of Hartford

🇺🇸

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath