Ketosis, Regulation of Muscle Protein Synthesis
Conditions
Keywords
ketone, protein metabolism, muscle
Brief summary
Ketones are natural substances normally produced by the body during prolonged fasting and starvation, or in response to a ketogenic diet to be used as fuel by the brain and muscles. Ketones are therefore similar to dietary proteins, carbohydrates and fats since they represent a source of energy for the body. In addition to serving as a source of energy, ketones have also been shown to stimulate increased rates of muscle protein synthesis in humans. The ingestion of dietary protein is well established to stimulate an increase in the rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. The rate of muscle protein synthesis can be maximized following the intake of 20g of protein. As a result, smaller doses of protein (i.e. 10g) represent a sub-optimal dose of protein because there is still room for improvement concerning muscle protein synthesis. Recently ketone-containing food products have become available that elevate ketone levels in the body without the need for ketogenic diets or prolonged fasting. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to measure skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates after ingesting the following: 1. Ketone monoester 2. Ketone monoester supplemented with sub-optimal dose of whey protein 3. Sub-optimal dose of whey protein It is hypothesized that muscle protein synthesis rates will increase following the ingestion of a ketone-containing beverage. Further, muscle protein synthesis rates will be enhanced when the ketone-containing beverage and sub-optimal protein dose are taken together.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTKetone
* Ketone monoester supplement (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate based on participants' body weight (0.36g/kg body weight) * Isocaloric carbohydrate control: dextrose + vanilla flavouring
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTKetone + Protein
* Ketone monoester supplement (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate based on participants' body weight (0.36g/kg body weight) * 10g Whey Protein * L-\[ring-2H5\]-phenylalanine tracer (enriched to 4%)
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTProtein
* Isocaloric carbohydrate control: dextrose + stevia * 10g Whey Protein * L-\[ring-2H5\]-phenylalanine tracer (enriched to 4%)
Sponsors
McGill University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male * Aged between 18-35 years inclusive * Healthy, moderately active * BMI \< 30 kg/m2 and \> 18.5 kg/m2 * Having given informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of any identified metabolic or intestinal disorders * Use of tobacco products * Allergies to milk proteins (whey or casein) * Lactose intolerance * Phenylketonuria (PKU) * A history of neuromuscular problems * Previous participation in amino acid tracer studies * Adherence to a strict vegetarian or vegan diet * Current use of ketone supplements or adherence to a ketogenic diet * Use of medications known to affect protein metabolism * Diagnosis of Diabetes * Engagement in sports or physical exercise 5 or more days per week
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Fractional synthetic rate of muscle protein synthesis (myofibrillar) | 0-5 hours in the post-prandial period |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma enrichments (in moles percent excess) of L-[ring-2H5]-phenylalanine | 3 hours pre-prandial to 5 hours post-prandial | — |
| Plasma glucose concentration (mmol/L) | 3 hours pre-prandial to 5 hours post-prandial | — |
| Plasma insulin concentration (pmol/L) | 3 hours pre-prandial to 5 hours post-prandial | — |
| Fractional synthetic rate of muscle protein synthesis (myofibrillar) | 0-3 hours in the pre-prandial period; 0-2 hours, and 2-5 hours into the post-prandial period | — |
| Capillary blood Beta-OHB concentrations (mmol/L) | 0-5 hours in the post-prandial period | — |
| Signaling molecule phosphorylation status | 0, 2, and 5 hours into the post-prandial period | The use of Western blots to measure the phosphorylation status of signaling molecules involved in protein synthesis ie. mTOR, p70S6k, 4E-BP1 |
| Plasma amino acid concentrations (mmol/L) | 3 hours pre-prandial to 5 hours post-prandial | — |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed