The Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Muscle Protein Synthesis

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Muscle Protein Synthesis; Menstrual Cycle Phase
• Interventions: Other: Phase of the menstrual cycle

• Registration Number: NCT06268678
• Lead Sponsor: University of Exeter

Brief Summary

The combination of dietary protein ingestion and resistance exercise are essential to increase muscle protein synthesis. The vast majority of studies assessing protein intake following resistance exercise in young adults has been conducted exclusively in men or in studies where both men and women are assessed. The increase in muscle mass is thought to be impacted by sex hormones that fluctuate across different phases of the menstrual cycle. However, the effect of menstrual cycle phase on muscle protein synthesis following exercise is not known.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-12-08
• Study First Submitted: 2024-01-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-02-12
• Study First Posted: 2024-02-20
• Primary Completion: 2024-09-28
• Study Completion: 2024-09-28
• Status Verified: 2024-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-11-13
• Last Update Posted: 2024-11-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 14

Inclusion Criteria

• Female, aged 18-40 years
• BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m2
• Recreationally active
• Regular menstrual cycle

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Exclusion Criteria

• Smoking or use of tobacco containing products
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Currently on any form of hormonal contraception
• Post-menopausal
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Diagnosed metabolic/pulmonary/musculoskeletal illness
• Diagnosed cardiovascular disease or hypertension
• Use of medications that may impact protein metabolism or are anti-inflammatory
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Allergy to pomegranate or amino acids
• Injuries that would impact ability to complete study

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Follicular	Phase of the menstrual cycle	Follicular phase assessment of muscle protein synthesis.
Luteal	Phase of the menstrual cycle	Luteal phase assessment of muscle protein synthesis

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Muscle protein synthesis	7 hours	The rate of synthesis of new muscle protein

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Plasma amino acid kinetics	7 hours	The appearance of amino acids in the circulation.
Sex hormone concentrations	5 minutes	Serum oestrogen and progesterone
Serum insulin concentrations	7 hours	Basal and postprandial concentrations of serum insulin
Energy expenditure	20 minutes	Basal metabolic rate

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Exeter; 🇬🇧 Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom