Insect Protein and Muscle Protein Signaling

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Sarcopenia
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: insect, pea or whey protein

• Registration Number: NCT04633694
• Lead Sponsor: University of Aarhus

Brief Summary

Randomized parallel study investing the effect of intake of different protein sources (whey, insect and pea) on the muscle protein synthesis. Activation of the signaling pathway leading to muscle protein synthesis is investigated by western blotting and Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR or PCR). Urine, blood and muscle is moreover investigated by metabolomics analysis.

Detailed Description

Background:

Sarcopenia is a syndrome highly prevalent in the older population, characterized by muscle loss and a decrease in muscle strength. This leads to loss of physical function, decreased life quality and well-being and an increased risk of early death. Research has shown that both ingestion of protein and physical activity is able to diminish the loss of muscle mass during aging and thereby reduce the prevalence of sarcopenia and diminish the consequence of the disease. This study will investigate if more sustainable protein sources of good quality can increase the muscle protein synthesis and thereby prevent sarcopenia.

Aim:

The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of insect protein on the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis. The effects of protein will both be studied alone and in combination with exercise in perspective of preventing loss of both muscle mass and muscle strength. The potential of insect protein will be elucidated by comparison with other alternative plant-based protein sources in this case pea protein. In addition, whey protein will be included as a positive control as it may be regarded as the most established dietary protein source combatting muscle loss.

Method:

Young(18-30 years old) healthy men (n=60) are randomized in 3 groups to ingest either insect protein, pea protein or whey protein. Urine are collected 24 hours prior to the experiment while a blood sample and a muscle biopsy is collected at the beginning of the study. The subjects are instructed to perform one-leg exercise (knee extension, 5 sets of 10 repetitions, 10 repetitions-maximum) after which the subjects ingest the assigned protein bolus. Urine and blood samples are collected in the following hours and one muscle biopsy is collected from both the exercised and the non-exercised leg at 3 hours after protein ingestion. The expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein related to the mTORC pathway in the muscle is investigated by qPCR and western blotting. In addition, metabolites in urine, blood plasma and muscle tissue are investigated by metabolomics analysis.

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design
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Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2020-06-01
• Study First Submitted: 2020-08-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-11-12
• Study First Posted: 2020-11-18
• Primary Completion: 2020-11-30
• Study Completion: 2023-11-08
• Status Verified: 2024-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-05-30
• Last Update Posted: 2024-05-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• male
• 18-30 year
• able to read and understand danish

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Exclusion Criteria

• smoking
• resistance training more than 1 time pr month
• endurance training more than 2 hours pr week
• Allergy toward shellfish, house dust mites or the protein sources.
• knee problems effecting the exercise
• weight change more than 5 kg the last half year
• medicine which can effect the protein turnover
• Disease in joint, or muscle as well as metabolic diseases.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Insect protein	insect, pea or whey protein	The participants are are given insect protein
Whey protein	insect, pea or whey protein	The participants are are given whey protein
Pea protein	insect, pea or whey protein	The participants are are given pea protein

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Expression and phosphorylation of signaling proteins and their mRNA by Western Blotting and PCR	4 hours	Change in expression and phosphorylation of signaling proteins and the mRNA related the muscle protein synthesis.
Blod and urine metabolism by NMR	4 hours	Both blod and urine are analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics to enlighten changes in the metabolites.
Muscle metabolism by NMR	3 hours	The muscle metabolites are quantified before intervention, after protein and after protein end exercise.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
BMI	1 hour	Control parameter between groups. Measured before the study day.
General physical activity	3 months	in the last 3 month. Self-reported through a questionnaire.
Blood Insulin	4 hours	Blood insulin is measured at 7 time points over the 4 hour period.
Food intake, calories and distribution of macro nutrients.	1 day	Control parameter between groups. Self-reported diet report.
Blood glucose	4 hours	Blood glucose measured at 7 time points over the 4 hour period.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Public Health,; 🇩🇰 Aarhus, Denmark