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The Acute Effect of Protein or Carbohydrate Intake on Testosterone Levels and Food Intake in Children and Adolescent Boys

Acute Decrease in Serum Testosterone After Glucose and Protein Beverages in Adolescent Males

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03412136
Enrollment
34
Registered
2018-01-26
Start date
2014-03-08
Completion date
2016-04-10
Last updated
2018-01-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Appetitive Behavior, Pediatric Obesity

Keywords

Testosterone, Food Intake, Appetite

Brief summary

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute protein and glucose intake on testosterone levels measured in adolescent boys and determine whether changes in testosterone levels are associated with alterations in short-term food intake. It was hypothesized that 1) ingestion of a protein beverage would result in no change of testosterone levels whereas glucose would result in a significant decrease of testosterone levels 60 minutes after ingestion and 2) decreases of testosterone levels as a result of the glucose preload would predict food intake for boys of similar body size. The first objective was to investigate the effect of an acute protein or glucose drink on testosterone levels and the second objective was to determine whether changes of testosterone levels associate with food intake.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTControl

Participants were given 5 minutes to ingest the non-caloric beverage which contained 1.5ml of chocolate extract (Vanilla Food Company, Markham, Ontario, Canada) to account for the flavor differences and mixed with 500ml of water and sweetened with 0.2g sucralose (Tate & Lyle, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada) in order to match sweetness with the glucose beverage.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTGlucose

Participants were given 5 minutes to ingest the beverage which contained either 1g of protein (plain whey-protein isolate; BiPro USA., Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.A) per kg of bodyweight and was flavoured with 1.5ml of chocolate extract (Vanilla Food Company, Markham, Ontario, Canada) to account for the flavor differences and mixed with 500ml of water.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTProtein

Participants were given 5 minutes to ingest the beverage which contained 1g of glucose monohydrate (BioShop Canada Inc., Burlington, Ontario, Canada) per kg of bodyweight and flavoured with 1.5ml of chocolate extract (Vanilla Food Company, Markham, Ontario, Canada) to account for the flavor differences and mixed with 500ml of water.

Sponsors

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
University of Toronto
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

The experimental beverages contained either 1g of glucose monohydrate (BioShop Canada Inc., Burlington, Ontario, Canada) or 1g of protein (plain whey-protein isolate; BiPro USA., Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.A) per kg of bodyweight. A non-calorie drink was used as control. All beverages were flavoured with 1.5ml of chocolate extract (Vanilla Food Company, Markham, Ontario, Canada) to account for the flavor differences and mixed with 500ml of water. The whey protein and control beverages were sweetened with 0.2g sucralose (Tate & Lyle, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada) in order to match sweetness with the glucose beverage.

Intervention model description

In a randomized, crossover study, sixteen 9-18 y old males were given beverages containing either: 1) whey protein (1g/kg bodyweight), 2) glucose (1g/kg bodyweight) or a calorie-free control (C). Serum testosterone, appetite biomarkers and subjective appetite were measured prior (0) and at 20, 35 and 65 minutes after the consumption of the beverage. Food intake at an ad libitum pizza meal was assessed 20 min later (65-85min).

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
9 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* 9-18 years, healthy, male.

Exclusion criteria

* History of prematurity, chronic illness, were taking any medications known to affect glucose homeostasis, appetite or pubertal development.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Testosterone Change0-65 minutesThe first blood draw was taken prior to ingesting the experimental beverage at baseline (0 minutes). Participants were then given 5 minutes to ingest the beverage, and blood was later obtained 20, 35 and 65 minutes after baseline blood draw. Units were measured in ng/dl.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Appetite Biomarkers- Glucagon-like peptide-10-85 minutesGlucagon-like peptide-1. Units were measured in pM.
Appetite Biomarkers- Active Ghrelin0-85 minutesActive Ghrelin. Units were measured in pg/ml.
Appetite Biomarkers- Insulin0-85 minutesInsulin. Units were measured in uIu/ml.
Subjective Appetite- Determination to eat0-85 minutesVisual Analog Scales were employed to assess subjective appetite based on the Determination to Eat. Units were measured in mm (based on a 100mm scale).
Appetite Biomarkers- Glucose0-85 minutesGlucose. Units were measured in mg/dl.
Subjective Appetite- Fullness0-85 minutesVisual Analog Scales were employed to assess subjective appetite based on feelings of FullnessUnits were measured in mm (based on a 100mm scale).
Subjective Appetite- Prospective Food Consumption0-85 minutesVisual Analog Scales were employed to assess subjective appetite based on Prospective Food Consumption. Units were measured in mm (based on a 100mm scale).
Food Intake65-85 minutesParticipants were provided an ad libitum pizza meal. The participants were instructed to eat during the next 20 min until they were comfortably full. Based on the participant preferences determined during screening, two varieties of Deep 'N Delicious 5-inch-diameter pizza were provided for consumption; pepperoni and three-cheese pizzas (McCain Canada Ltd., Florenceville, Ontario, Canada). Units were measuring in kcal.
Subjective Appetite- Hunger0-85 minutesVisual Analog Scales were employed to assess subjective appetite based on feelings of Hunger. Units were measured in mm (based on a 100mm scale).

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026