The Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Muscle Protein Synthesis

University of Exeter

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Menstrual Cycle Phase; Muscle Protein Synthesis

Treatments: Other: Phase of the menstrual cycle

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06268678

4539513

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 15 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

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

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

15 participants in 2 patient groups

Follicular

Experimental group

Description:

Follicular phase assessment of muscle protein synthesis.

Treatment:

Other: Phase of the menstrual cycle

Luteal

Experimental group

Description:

Luteal phase assessment of muscle protein synthesis

Treatment:

Other: Phase of the menstrual cycle