MedPath

Disturbances in BCAA Metabolism and the Effects of Feeding and Exercise in COPD

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Caseinate
Dietary Supplement: Whey protein isolate
Dietary Supplement: Soy
Dietary Supplement: soy+BCAA
Registration Number
NCT01418469
Lead Sponsor
Maastricht University Medical Center
Brief Summary

Studies on resting human muscle show that ingestion of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA): leucine, valine and isoleucine have an anabolic effect on muscle protein metabolism. However, the effects of BCAA intake on protein metabolism during exercise are less clear. When BCAA were supplied as single amino acids, without other amino acids and/or carbohydrates, no effects were observed on protein kinetics. On the other hand, ingestion of BCAA during running appeared to reduce the catabolic effect of running on muscle protein metabolism. These experiments were all performed with mixtures of the BCAA with or without carbohydrates but not in the form of complete meals with food protein as a basis. Therefore, it is still unknown whether a protein meal, containing a substantial amount of BCAA is beneficial during exercise by inducing an anabolic effect.

Whey and Casein protein contain a substantial amount of BCAA in contrast to Soy protein. Therefore, it is hypothesized that milk-based proteins are a better and more physiological source of BCAA during exercise and will lead to more protein anabolism. Most of the available studies have been carried out in young and fit humans but there are hardly any data are available in the increasing population of the elderly. Therefore it is still unknown whether a BCAA rich protein meal can enhance the anabolic effect of exercise in older individuals.

Besides sarcopenia, a substantial part of the elderly is suffering from a chronic systemic disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD represents an important health care problem. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death and will be the third leading cause worldwide in 2020. Besides the local impairment, COPD is a chronic wasting disease, associated with alterations in intermediary metabolism. Substantial disturbances have been found in BCAA (and related) metabolism in these patients at rest and during exercise. It might therefore be of clinical relevance to study the metabolic effects of BCAA rich protein meals in patients with COPD at rest and during exercise.

Detailed Description

In this study we investigate whether milk based protein sources of BCAA (casein and whey proteins) are superior to soy protein in the stimulation of protein anabolism before, during and after cycle exercise in COPD and healthy elderly and young subjects, and whether adding BCAA to soy protein will increase protein anabolism in these subjects.

To investigate Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine metabolism during and after exercise in COPD and healthy subjects

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
24
Inclusion Criteria
  • Irreversible chronic airflow limitation (FEV1 <70% of predicted)
  • Clinically stable condition
Exclusion Criteria
  • Oxygen supplementation
  • Respiratory tract infection or exacerbation of his disease at least 4 weeks prior to the study
  • Oral corticosteroids as maintenance medication
  • Other concomitant metabolic disease (ie malignancy, cardiac failure, recent surgery, severe endocrine, hepatic or renal disorder)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Caseinate protein intakeCaseinate18 mg protein/kg body weight caseinate and 46 mg maltodextrin / kg body weight per 20 min sip feeding
Whey protein isolate intakeWhey protein isolate18 mg protein/kg body weight whey protein isolate and 46 mg maltodextrin / kg body weight per 20 min sip feeding
Soy protein intakeSoy18 mg protein/kg body weight soy and 46 mg maltodextrin / kg body weight per 20 min sip feeding
soy+BCAA protein intakesoy+BCAA18 mg protein/kg body weight soy+BCAA and 46 mg maltodextrin / kg body weight per 20 min sip feeding
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Net whole body protein synthesis6 hours

Net whole body protein synthesis during protein feeding and the response to a 20 min cycle exercise bout

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in whole body protein synthesis rate6 hours

Whole body protein synthesis rate during protein feeding and the response to 20 min cycle exercise bout

Change in Leucine turnover6 hours

Leucine turnover during protein feeding and the response to a 20 min cycle exercise bout

Change in Isoleucine turnover6 hours

Isoleucine turnover during protein feeding and the response to a 20 min cycle exercise bout

Change in Valine turnover6 hours

Valine turnover during protein feeding and the response to a 20 min cycle exercise bout

Change in plasma lactate concentration6 hours

Plasma lactate during protein feeding and the response to a 20 min cycle exercise bout

Change in NH3 concentration6 hours

Plasma NH3 during protein feeding and the response to a 20 min cycle exercise bout

Change in plasma amino acids concentrations6 hours

Plasma amino acid concentrations during protein feeding and the response to a 20 min cycle exercise bout

Splanchnic extraction of amino acids during protein feeding6 hours

Splanchnic extraction of amino acids during protein feeding and the response to a 20 min cycle exercise bout

Change in whole body protein breakdown rate6 hours

Whole body protein breakdown rate during protein feeding and the response to cycle exercise

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Maastricht UMC

🇳🇱

Maastricht, Netherlands

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath