Aminoacidemia and Protein Kinetics in Response to the Ingestion of Plant-based Protein Blends (PBP)

McMaster University

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Nutrition, Healthy

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Protein quality

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05139160

14040

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present investigation aims to study a novel plant based protein isolate blend to determine if it results in similar muscle building responses compared to whey protein isolate.

Full description

Whey protein is considered the 'gold standard' to maintain body proteins (muscle, skin, bone). When isolated from milk, whey protein isolate (WPI) contains all nine essential amino acids (EAA) which are 'building blocks' that are needed to support the maintenance of body proteins. To date, there is no plant-based protein (PBP) isolate that compares to the recommended WPI towards how our body builds or supports our muscles. WPI is considered the 'gold standard' because it contains all of the EAA which provide the right amount of 'building blocks' to support our muscles. Current PBP isolates available contain insufficient amounts of EAA, and are less digestible, resulting in less 'building blocks' available to support our muscles. Recently, plant protein combinations have been designed to provide the right amounts of all the EAAs. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the effects of a novel PBP blend on muscle protein synthesis responses by comparing it to WPI.

Enrollment: 8 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Male or female, between the ages of 18 - 30 years (inclusive)
2. Have a body mass index (BMI) between 18-30 kg·m2 (inclusive)
3. Be in general good health as assessed by a general health questionnaire
4. Non-smoking
5. Regular menstrual cycle and not using hormonal contraceptives
6. Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

1. Currently using analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs
2. A history of neuromuscular problems or muscle and/or bone wasting diseases
3. Any acute or chronic illness, metabolic disorders
4. Currently using corticosteroids
5. Use of hormonal contraceptives or anabolic steroids (e.g. testosterone)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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8 participants in 3 patient groups

Whey protein isolate

Experimental group

Description:

Whey protein isolate is the 'gold standard' of protein supplements due to being rich in essential amino acids and leucine. Leucine is a key amino acid the is required to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Muscle protein synthesis is the major mechanism the underpins muscle growth. The whey protein would ostensibly serve as a positive control.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Protein quality

Plant based protein isolate

Experimental group

Description:

Current plant-based protein isolates available contain insufficient amounts of leucine, and are less digestible, resulting in a reduced muscle protein synthesis responses. The plant based protein would ostensibly serve as a negative control.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Protein quality

Plant based protein isolate + leucine

Experimental group

Description:

Enriching plant-based protein with leucine will increase the 'quality' of said protein source and theoretically should have similar muscle protein synthetic responses to whey protein.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Protein quality