Muscle Metabolism
Conditions
Keywords
Amino Acids, Protein metabolism, Resistance exercise, Muscle protein synthesis
Brief summary
Dietary protein intake is vital for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and health. The production of animal-based proteins sources is associated with growing environmental and ethical challenges. As such, sustainable alternatives are needed. Algae are sustainably produced high-protein sources and it is predicted that algae will become one of the most consumed proteins in the next decades. However, the effects of algae on the stimulation of muscle mass growth are unknown. Therefore, we aim to assess the rate of digestion and absorption, and the effects on muscle growth of two types of algae (spirulina and chlorella) when compared to a sustainable non-animal derived fungal reference protein (mycoprotein), a source known to elicit a robust anabolic response.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTProtein ingestion
Bolus ingestion of 25g protein
Sponsors
University of Exeter
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* BMI between 18.5 and 30 * Recreationally active (\<3 times per week structured resistance exercise training)
Exclusion criteria
* Any metabolic impairment * Any cardiovascular impairment * High blood pressure (\>140/90 mmHg) * A personal history of epilepsy, seizures or schizophrenia * Smoking * Chronic (\>1 month) use of over the counter pharmaceuticals * Chronic (\>2 months) use of amino acid or protein supplements * Allergic to Quorn/mycoprotein or algae products
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Protein Synthesis | 7.5 hours | The rate of synthesis of new muscle protein (Fractional Synthetic Rate %/h) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma Amino Acid Kinetics | 7.5 hours | The rate of appearance of amino acid ingested in the drink |
| Serum Insulin | 7.5 hours | Basal and postprandial concentrations of serum insulin |
| Blood Glucose | 7.5 hours | Basal and postprandial concentrations of blood glucose |
| mTOR phosphorylation | 7.5 hours | The amount of mTOR that has been activated in the muscle cell |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed