Leucine-enriched Nutraceutical and Attenuating Muscle Loss

NCT ID: NCT03197402

Last Updated: 2019-06-18

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 20 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-05-09
• Study Completion Date: 2019-03-01

Brief Summary

This leucine-enriched protein gummy (as a gummy bar/slab) will be studied to address age-related loss of muscle mass and strength/function in older persons. The product is small volume (approximately 35 g per serve) and low energy (approximately 100 kcal per serve). It is easy to chew and swallow with the consistency of a firm Jello. In addition, it contains an effective dose of leucine in a high-quality protein matrix consisting of milk proteins. Understanding the efficacy of this product on changes in levels of blood amino acids and the molecular signaling required to enhance muscle growth will provide helpful insight for the suggestion of supplemental use.

Detailed Description

General experimental design:

Pre-testing will require participants to become familiarized with performing maximal voluntary isometric contractions, as well as touring the laboratory facilities. Participants will be asked to complete dietary records for three days to determine habitual caloric intake. The experimental trial will be conducted in three phases. A baseline run-in phase (Phase 1) during which participants will consume a diet matching their estimated energy requirement to put them in a weight-stable phase. Energy requirements will be estimated using the Harris Benedict equation using an appropriate physical activity factor based on interview responses to a standard activity questionnaire. Participants will then be assigned to either the comparator group (n=10) or leucine-enriched protein food group (n=10). For the subsequent 10d (Phase 2), participants will undergo a period of step reduction (< 1000 steps.d-1) whilst in a 500 kcal.d-1 deficit that will be adjusted for the reduced physical activity due to the step reduction. The reason for inducing an energy deficit is to mimic a situation where older individuals will be both physically inactive and 'undernourished', such as during home-bound periods of sickness or while in hospital. After completing Phase 2, participants will then return to their normal step count (from measured habitual steps pre-intervention) under energy balanced conditions for 10d that will serve as a recovery phase, Phase 3. We will complete assessments of body composition, leg lean mass, maximal voluntary isometric strength, measures of physical performance, and rate of force development will be made. Skeletal muscle biopsies will be obtained for biochemical analysis. At these time points, maximal voluntary isometric force, maximal leg press strength, a battery of physical performance measures and body composition will once again be obtained.

Conditions

Muscle Loss

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Comparator group

Milk protein gel delivery system supplementation

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Milk protein gel delivery system

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Non-leucine enriched

Leucine-enriched protein group

Leucine-enriched protein gel delivery system supplementation

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Leucine-enriched protein gel delivery system

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Leucine enriched

Interventions

Leucine-enriched protein gel delivery system

Leucine enriched

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Milk protein gel delivery system

Non-leucine enriched

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Females between 70 and 75 years of age (a narrow age range improved homogeneity of the sample for this proof-of-concept trial) with a body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 35, and muscle mass 1 standard deviation below that of sex- and ethnicity-matched 30 year olds (note: this has been called 'stage 1 sarcopenia' or 'pre-sarcopenia') will be recruited. In addition, participants will be non-smokers and generally healthy per responses to a standard health screening questionnaire.

Exclusion Criteria

• Participants who have any one of the following conditions will be excluded:

• diabetes mellitus
• cardiovascular disease
• renal disease
• gastrointestinal disease
• musculoskeletal injuries
• hormone replacement therapy
• significant weight loss in the 3-month period prior to the study
• vegan diet
• dairy protein allergy
• use of medications known to interfere with muscle metabolism. For example, chronically taking any analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs(s), prescription or non-prescription
• a history of neuromuscular problems or muscle and/or bone wasting diseases
• any acute or chronic illness, cardiac, pulmonary, liver, or kidney abnormalities, uncontrolled hypertension, insulin- or non-insulin dependent diabetes or other metabolic disorders-all ascertained through medical history screening questionnaires
• use medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or prescription strength acne medications)

• Minimum Eligible Age: 70 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

McMaster University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Stuart Phillips

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Stuart M Phillips, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

McMaster University

Locations

Exercise Metabolism Research Laboratory, McMaster Univeristy

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Ivor Wynne Centre A103, McMaster University

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

McMaster University

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

McMaster University

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Countries

Canada

References

Sullivan DH, Sun S, Walls RC. Protein-energy undernutrition among elderly hospitalized patients: a prospective study. JAMA. 1999 Jun 2;281(21):2013-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.281.21.2013.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 10359390 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

3390

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id