The Effects of Cricket- and Beef-derived Protein on Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations and Appetite Responses

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Appetitive Behavior; Aminoacidemia
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: Beef-derived Protein; Dietary Supplement: Cricket-derived Protein

• Registration Number: NCT04719429
• Lead Sponsor: McGill University

Brief Summary

Dietary protein plays an important role in appetite regulation. Source of ingested dietary protein may have different effects on appetite, satiety, and/or food intake in humans. Insects are a rich source of protein consumed by many people around the world; however, the capacity of insect-derived protein to regulate appetite and food intake is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare postprandial plasma glucose, insulin, amino acid, and appetite regulatory hormone concentrations, subjective appetite sensations, and food intake following the ingestion of 25 g of cricket- and beef-derived protein in healthy young males.

Detailed Description

With the rapid increase in the global population, the production of sufficient amounts of conventional animal-based protein to meet global dietary demands may no longer be desired nor feasible. Insects may represent an environmentally sustainable additional source of dietary protein that has the potential to help ensure global food security in the future. However, the functional characteristics of insect-derived proteins when fed to humans is unclear. Further, how insect-derived proteins compare to other animal-derived proteins (e.g. from beef) have not been explored.

The purpose of this study was to compare postprandial plasma glucose, insulin, and amino acid concentrations, gut-derived appetite regulatory hormones, subjective appetite sensations, and ad libitum energy intake following the ingestion of 25 g insect- or beef-derived protein in healthy young men. It was hypothesized that hyperaminoacidaemia would be more rapid following the ingestion of beef-derived protein compared to cricket-derived protein, although total amino acid availability would be similar between protein sources over a 300-minute postprandial period. It was further hypothesized there would be no difference between protein sources on postprandial subjective appetite sensations or subsequent ad libitum energy intake.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-01-28
• Primary Completion: 2019-04-09
• Study Completion: 2019-04-09
• Status Verified: 2021-01
• Study First Submitted: 2021-01-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-01-20
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-01-20
• Study First Posted: 2021-01-22
• Last Update Posted: 2021-01-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• Male
• Aged between 18-35 years inclusive
• Healthy, moderately active
• BMI < 30 kg/m2 and > 18.5 kg/m2
• Having given informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of any identified metabolic or intestinal disorders
• Use of tobacco products
• Adherence to a strict vegetarian or vegan diet
• Use of medications known to affect protein metabolism
• Allergy to shellfish or crustaceans
• Allergy to beef protein
• Engagement in physical exercise training more than 6 days per week

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Beef-derived protein beverage	Beef-derived Protein	Ingestion of a beef-derived protein beverage
Cricket-derived protein beverage	Cricket-derived Protein	Ingestion of a cricket-derived protein beverage

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Plasma leucine concentration	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	umol/L
Subjective appetite sensations (hunger, fullness, desire to eat, prospective food consumption)	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	mm (visual analogue scale)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Plasma branched-chain amino acid concentration	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	umol/L
Ad libitum food energy intake	assessed 5 hours after protein intake	kJ
Plasma non-essential amino acid concentration	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	umol/L
Plasma total amino acid concentration	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	umol/L
Plasma glucose	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	mmol/L
Plasma essential amino acid concentration	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	umol/L
Plasma insulin	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	pmol/L
Plasma GLP-1	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	pg/mL
Plasma PYY	0-5 hours in the post-prandial period	pg/mL

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition Research Laboratory; 🇨🇦 Montreal, Quebec, Canada