Insect Protein and Muscle Protein Signaling

NCT ID: NCT04633694

Last Updated: 2024-05-31

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 50 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-06-01
• Study Completion Date: 2023-11-08

Brief Summary

Randomized parallel study investing the effect of intake of different protein sources (whey, insect and pea) on the muscle protein synthesis. Activation of the signaling pathway leading to muscle protein synthesis is investigated by western blotting and Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR or PCR). Urine, blood and muscle is moreover investigated by metabolomics analysis.

Detailed Description

Background:

Sarcopenia is a syndrome highly prevalent in the older population, characterized by muscle loss and a decrease in muscle strength. This leads to loss of physical function, decreased life quality and well-being and an increased risk of early death. Research has shown that both ingestion of protein and physical activity is able to diminish the loss of muscle mass during aging and thereby reduce the prevalence of sarcopenia and diminish the consequence of the disease. This study will investigate if more sustainable protein sources of good quality can increase the muscle protein synthesis and thereby prevent sarcopenia.

Aim:

The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of insect protein on the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis. The effects of protein will both be studied alone and in combination with exercise in perspective of preventing loss of both muscle mass and muscle strength. The potential of insect protein will be elucidated by comparison with other alternative plant-based protein sources in this case pea protein. In addition, whey protein will be included as a positive control as it may be regarded as the most established dietary protein source combatting muscle loss.

Method:

Young(18-30 years old) healthy men (n=60) are randomized in 3 groups to ingest either insect protein, pea protein or whey protein. Urine are collected 24 hours prior to the experiment while a blood sample and a muscle biopsy is collected at the beginning of the study. The subjects are instructed to perform one-leg exercise (knee extension, 5 sets of 10 repetitions, 10 repetitions-maximum) after which the subjects ingest the assigned protein bolus. Urine and blood samples are collected in the following hours and one muscle biopsy is collected from both the exercised and the non-exercised leg at 3 hours after protein ingestion. The expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein related to the mTORC pathway in the muscle is investigated by qPCR and western blotting. In addition, metabolites in urine, blood plasma and muscle tissue are investigated by metabolomics analysis.

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Insect protein

The participants are are given insect protein

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

insect, pea or whey protein

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The protein powder is dissolved in 400 mL water and given relative to lean body mass, 0.25 g protein pr kg lean body mass.

Pea protein

The participants are are given pea protein

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

insect, pea or whey protein

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The protein powder is dissolved in 400 mL water and given relative to lean body mass, 0.25 g protein pr kg lean body mass.

Whey protein

The participants are are given whey protein

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

insect, pea or whey protein

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The protein powder is dissolved in 400 mL water and given relative to lean body mass, 0.25 g protein pr kg lean body mass.

Interventions

insect, pea or whey protein

The protein powder is dissolved in 400 mL water and given relative to lean body mass, 0.25 g protein pr kg lean body mass.

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• male
• 18-30 year
• able to read and understand danish

Exclusion Criteria

• smoking
• resistance training more than 1 time pr month
• endurance training more than 2 hours pr week
• Allergy toward shellfish, house dust mites or the protein sources.
• knee problems effecting the exercise
• weight change more than 5 kg the last half year
• medicine which can effect the protein turnover
• Disease in joint, or muscle as well as metabolic diseases.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

AP Moeller Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Beckett Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Aarhus

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Department of Public Health,

Aarhus, , Denmark

Countries

Denmark

References

Lanng SK, Oxfeldt M, Pedersen SS, Johansen FT, Risikesan J, Lejel T, Bertram HC, Hansen M. Influence of protein source (cricket, pea, whey) on amino acid bioavailability and activation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway after resistance exercise in healthy young males. Eur J Nutr. 2023 Apr;62(3):1295-1308. doi: 10.1007/s00394-022-03071-y. Epub 2022 Dec 19.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 36536114 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Proteinlab P4 Insect

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id