Skip to content

Time Course Adaptations Using Deuterated Creatine (D3Cr) Method

Time Course Adaptations Using Deuterated Creatine (D3Cr) Method: A Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03573583
Enrollment
21
Registered
2018-06-29
Start date
2019-02-01
Completion date
2020-08-01
Last updated
2024-07-03

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

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Keywords

muscle mass, muscle loss, Deuterated creatine (D3Cr) dilution, older adults, resistance training, physical function

Brief summary

The pilot study is to assess the feasibility of using a new method to measure muscle mass called Deuterated Creatine (D3Cr) method and thereby understand the role of muscle mass on functional outcomes in older adults.

Detailed description

Muscle loss with age is considered to be an important cause of disability in older adults. However, current tools frequently used and recommended to measure muscle mass in trials have limitations: For example, DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and BIA (Bioelectrical impedance analysis)- both widely used in clinical trials cannot distinguish muscle tissue from non-muscle elements such as subcutaneous and intramuscular fat, skin, water and connective tissue. Deuterated creatine (D3Cr) dilution is a novel promising method that provides an accurate measure of the functional contractile tissue, without including the non-contractile elements, by measuring total body creatine. Our preliminary cross-sectional results in men aged \>65 years show functional muscle mass (FMM) assessed by D3-Cr to be significantly associated with performance outcomes and long-term outcomes, while DEXA showed no associations. However, these are observational data and cannot determine a causative role of muscle per se on functional outcomes. Hence, the objective of the pilot study is to assess the feasibility of our proposed future study to evaluate the role of muscle mass on functional outcomes. Specifically, the pilot study will randomize moderate to low-functioning older adults to a resistance training program or successful aging health education program to assess recruitment yields, participant adherence, retention, training program design aspects, sample size, and the cost of the main trial. Further, the impact of these changes in FMM on short-term performance outcomes, such as strength, walking speed, SPPB, self-reported measures, and balance will be examined.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALResistance Training

The intensity, volume, tempo, and progression will be based on the Federal Physical Activity guidelines. The resistance training exercises will include mainly multi-joint exercises using selectorized machines. Each session will include upper body exercises (Chest Press, Shoulder Press, Seated Rows, Bicep curls, and Tricep Extensions) and lower body exercises (Leg Press, Leg Extension and Leg Curls, and Calf raise) that will be tailored to the participant needs.

The successful aging will attend stretching and health lectures as a group . The topics might include, medication management, disease management (e.g. blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, dementia, pain management, diet) and other health related matters.

Sponsors

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
CollaboratorNIH
University of Florida
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

To ensure concealment of the allocation, the randomization procedures will be performed by an investigator who are not involved in the assessments. The team assessing study outcomes will be masked to intervention assignment.

Intervention model description

The pilot study will be single-blind, parallel group, randomized controlled trial of 24 moderate to low functioning participants randomized in a 1:1 allocation ratio to a high-intensity Resistance Training group (RT) or a Successful Aging Health Education comparator group (HE) for 14 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
70 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* men and women aged 70 or greater * at high risk for mobility disability based on lower extremity functional limitations measured by Short Physical Performance battery (SPPB) with a score ≤ 8 out of 12 * could safely participate in the resistance training intervention as determined by medical history and physical examination. * willing to give informed consent to be randomized to either the resistance training group or successful aging heath education comparison group and willing to follow the study protocol

Exclusion criteria

* Severe cardiac disease, including NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina * Myocardial infarction, major heart surgery, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolus in the past 6 months * Lung disease requiring either oral or injected steroids, or the use of supplemental oxygen * Short, portable mental status questionnaire with 3 or more errors * Severe arthritis (either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) that severely limits mobility * Severe lower back or shoulder pain that can worsen with weight lifting exercises. * Cancer requiring treatment in the past 1 year (Melanomas excluded) * Any present or recent history of severe psychiatric illness including depression that might preclude providing informed consent, safe participation, or compliance (self-report and investigator judgement * Development of chest pain or severe shortness of breath on the 400 m self-paced walk test * Parkinson's disease or other serious neurological disorders; renal disease requiring dialysis; other illness of such severity that life expectancy is considered to be less than 12 months * Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder * Current consumption of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week * Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \> 200 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure \>110 mm Hg) * Currently on testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), or anabolic steroids. * Undergoing physical therapy involving the lower extremities * Currently enrolled in another randomized trial involving a pharmaceutical or lifestyle intervention. Observational studies are permitted * Participation in progressive resistance exercise regimen ( ≥1 day/week) within the previous 6 months prior to screening. * Weight change (intentional or not) over the last 6 months of \> 5% of body or plan to lose or gain weight during the study * Any other cardiovascular, pulmonary, orthopedic, neurologic, or other conditions that in the opinion of the local clinician would preclude participation and successful completion of the protocol Temporary

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Muscle MassBaseline and week 16Change in Muscle mass measured using D3Cr

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Appendicular Lean Mass (ALM)Baseline and week 16Change in ALM by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
Lean Body Mass (LBM)Baseline, and Week 16Change in LBM assessed using DXA
Correlation Between Changes in Muscle MassBaseline and Week 15Correlation between longitudinal changes in D3 Cr muscle mass (MM) and DXA appendicular lean mass (ALM)

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants were recruited from the community using flyers, posters, and mass mailings. The eligibility criteria included men and women aged 70 years or older, who were at high risk for mobility disability based on lower extremity functional limitations measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) with a score of 9 or lower out of 12, and not participating in a structured exercise program, and not using strength exercises in the past 6 months.

Pre-assignment details

A total of 54 participants were assessed for eligibilty and 33 were excluded ( 23 not meeting inclusion criteria (18 SPPB out of range) and 10 withdrew pre-randomization). Twenty-one participants met eligibility criteria and were subsequently randomized into 2 groups

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Resistance Training Group (RT)
The resistance training intervention will include a full body, resistance training performed three days per week. The intensity, volume, tempo, and progression will be based on the Federal Physical Activity guidelines Resistance Training: The intensity, volume, tempo, and progression will be based on the Federal Physical Activity guidelines. The resistance training exercises will include mainly multi-joint exercises using selectorized machines. Each session will include upper body exercises (Chest Press, Shoulder Press, Seated Rows, Bicep curls, and Tricep Extensions) and lower body exercises (Leg Press, Leg Extension and Leg Curls, and Calf raise) that will be tailored to the participant needs.
10
Successful Aging
The comparator group will meet for stretching and health education classes every 2-5 weeks up to 7 total visits. Successful Aging: The successful aging will attend stretching and health lectures as a group . The topics might include, medication management, disease management (e.g. blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, dementia, pain management, diet) and other health related matters.
11
Total21

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up10
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject11

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicResistance Training Group (RT)Successful AgingTotal
Age, Continuous80.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.8
83.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.4
82 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.6
Body Mass Index (BMI)30 kg/m^2.
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
30 kg/m^2.
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
30 kg/m^2.
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
D3Cr Muscle Mass17.3 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.2
18 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.9
17.65 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.6
DXA Appendicular Lean Mass16.4 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.2
17.6 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.6
17 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.4
DXA Fat Mass35.8 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.3
34.4 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.2
35.1 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.75
DXA Lean Body Mass44.2 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.3
42.2 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.9
43.2 Kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.1
Number of Partcipants who had a Stroke1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Number of Partcipants who had Cancer.1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Number of Partcipants who had Myocardial Infarction or Major Heart Surgery0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Number of Participants taking Medications for Diabetes0 Participants3 Participants3 Participants
Number of Participants taking Medications for High Blood Pressure5 Participants8 Participants13 Participants
Number of Participants taking Medications for High Cholesterol5 Participants3 Participants8 Participants
Number of Participants with College Education or Higher9 Participants10 Participants19 Participants
Number of participants with Lung Disease0 Participants3 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
9 Participants9 Participants18 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
7 Participants7 Participants14 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
3 Participants4 Participants7 Participants
Short Physical Performance Battery Score6.7 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.8
6.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.6
6.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.2

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 100 / 11
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 100 / 11
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 100 / 10

Outcome results

Primary

Muscle Mass

Change in Muscle mass measured using D3Cr

Time frame: Baseline and week 16

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Resistance Training Group (RT)Muscle Mass3.47 KgStandard Deviation 2.01
Successful AgingMuscle Mass1.19 KgStandard Deviation 1.7
Comparison: Continuous variables were expressed as mean (SD) and categorical variables were as frequencies and percentages. A 2-sided independent-sample t test was used to compare group differences in change scores. Change scores were calculated as Week 16 measurements minus baseline measurements. Statistical analyses were done by a blinded statistician without knowledge of group membership.p-value: 0.0395% CI: [0.22, 4.36]ANCOVA
Secondary

Appendicular Lean Mass (ALM)

Change in ALM by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

Time frame: Baseline and week 16

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Resistance Training Group (RT)Appendicular Lean Mass (ALM)0.81 KgStandard Deviation 0.68
Successful AgingAppendicular Lean Mass (ALM)-0.23 KgStandard Deviation 0.7
p-value: 0.00995% CI: [0.31, 1.77]ANCOVA
Secondary

Correlation Between Changes in Muscle Mass

Correlation between longitudinal changes in D3 Cr muscle mass (MM) and DXA appendicular lean mass (ALM)

Time frame: Baseline and Week 15

Population: We want to analyze the correlation between DXA ALM and D3Cr muscle mass. Hence, the two groups are combined to calculate the correlation of DXA ALM compared to D3Cr muscle mass in all the participants rather than individual groups.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Resistance Training Group (RT)Correlation Between Changes in Muscle Mass0.19 Pearson Correlation Coefficient
p-value: 0.4995% CI: [-0.35, 0.64]Pearson's Correlation coefficient
Secondary

Lean Body Mass (LBM)

Change in LBM assessed using DXA

Time frame: Baseline, and Week 16

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Resistance Training Group (RT)Lean Body Mass (LBM)1.10 KgStandard Deviation 1.44
Successful AgingLean Body Mass (LBM)-0.19 KgStandard Deviation 0.93
p-value: 0.0795% CI: [-0.1, 2.67]ANCOVA

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