The Effect of a Plant Protein Isolate on Muscle Protein Synthesis in Humans at Rest and After Resistance Exercise

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Metabolism; Exercise; Dietary Supplements
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: NEAA; Dietary Supplement: PPI

• Registration Number: NCT05020808
• Lead Sponsor: University of Limerick

Brief Summary

Plant-based proteins contain several amino acids that are essential to signal growth, reconditioning, maintenance and preservation of skeletal muscle mass. This study aims to inform on the nutrient activation of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) by feeding a plant protein isolate equivalent to 0.33 g of protein per kilogram of body mass.

Detailed Description

Participants: 32 young, healthy men and women aged 18 - 35 years. Intervention: Plant protein isolate (PPI) and nonessential amino acid control (NEAA) Study Design: Block randomised control trial. Two group parallel design. Primary outcome: Myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (myoFSR).

Preliminary screening/familiarization consists of: medical history, dietary assessment and examination by a medical doctor and a qualified dietician, blood sample to be evaluated for health-related contraindications, body composition measurement by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), isokinetic knee extensor strength tests.

Pre-trial: A metered dose of deuterium oxide (5ml/kg) will be ingested and blood and/or saliva (\~5ml) samples will be collected pre/post ingestion.

Experimental trial: Blood, saliva and bilateral m.vastus lateralis microbiopsies (\~100 mg) collected. A unilateral resistance-training session consisting of knee extensor contractions will be completed. Following exercise cessation participants will ingest 0.33 g/kg body mass of either: a nonessential amino acid formulation or a plant-protein isolate. A saliva sample and a 2nd set of bilateral m.vastus lateralis microbiopsies are collected 3 h postingestion.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-08-17
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-08-24
• Study First Posted: 2021-08-25
• Study Start: 2021-09-14
• Status Verified: 2022-06
• Primary Completion: 2022-06-20
• Study Completion: 2022-06-20
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-06-20
• Last Update Posted: 2022-06-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 33

Inclusion Criteria

• Men and women aged 18 to 35 years

Exclusion Criteria

• Known intolerance to any item contained in the protein products.
• Blood borne disease risk, current illness or medication that would adversely affect participation
• Known adverse reaction to venepuncture and/or biopsy
• Inability to undertake resistance exercise
• Inability to adhere to protocol guidelines

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Nonessential amino acid formulation (NEAA)	NEAA	Novel non-essential amino acid blend dosed at 0.33 g/kg body mass in 400 ml of water. Postprandial muscle protein synthesis at rest, and after resistance exercise to be measured by deuterium incorporation in to skeletal muscle sampled by bilateral microbiopsies. Product Number: NEAA56812
Plant Protein Isolate (PPI)	PPI	Plant protein isolate (Fava bean) dosed at 0.33 g/kg body mass in 400 ml of water. Postprandial muscle protein synthesis at rest, and after resistance exercise to be measured by deuterium incorporation in to skeletal muscle sampled by bilateral microbiopsies. Product Number: FP2011273

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate change	4 hours	The fractional rate of myofibrillar protein synthesis measured by deuterium incorporation into skeletal muscle sampled by microbiopsy

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Limerick; 🇮🇪 Limerick, Munster, Ireland