Effects of Severe Negative Energy Balance on Inflammation
Condition: Inflammation
MeSH terms: Inflammation
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The effects of prolonged negative energy balance, commonly observed in sustained military
      training and combat operations, on systemic inflammatory responses has not been determined.
      To define the putative role of energy balance on inflammation and its downstream effects, we
      will conduct a controlled laboratory study that simulates extensive physiological stressors
      to determine if inflammation is exacerbated by underfeeding. This design will test the
      hypothesis that maintaining energy balance will attenuate systemic inflammation and its
      potential negative effects on whole-body metabolic homeostasis in response to physiological
      stressors.
    

Detailed description: 
      Endurance exercise elicits skeletal muscle and systemic inflammation. Inflammation in
      response to endurance exercise is normally attenuated with adequate rest and recovery as
      skeletal muscle adapts with training. However, performing repeated bouts of prolonged and
      unaccustomed, muscle damaging (i.e., eccentric loading) endurance exercise may be detrimental
      to performance and limit the adaptive responses to exercise by diminishing the absorption of
      key nutrients. Warfighters are commonly exposed to such exercise bouts during sustained
      training and combat operations, the effects of which may be exacerbated by negative energy
      balance. Therefore, to define the putative role of energy balance on systemic inflammation,
      we will conduct a controlled laboratory study that simulates the physiological stressors
      imposed during sustained military training and combat operations to determine if systemic
      inflammation is exacerbated by underfeeding.

      Twenty-six male, non-obese (body mass index 19.9-29.9 kg/m2), physically active adults will
      be recruited to participate in a 32 d, longitudinal study. The study is comprised of four
      sequential phases: 1) a 96 h testing period, 2) a 7 day recovery period (Recovery 1), 3) a
      second, 96 h testing period, and 4) a 14 d recovery period (Recovery 2). During testing,
      subjects will be randomized to consume either sufficient food (combat rations) to maintain
      energy balance or will be provided a restricted amount of food to elicit severe negative
      energy balance. Mineral absorption studies and will be conducted during each testing
      condition, energy balance and energy negative balance. This design will test the hypothesis
      that maintaining energy balance will attenuate systemic inflammation and its potential
      negative effects on whole-body metabolic homeostasis in response to physiological stressors.
    

Intervention name(s): Energy Balance; Negative Energy Balance
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement; Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): Energy Balance Sufficient food provided to maintain energy balance.; Negative Energy Balance Insufficient food provided to maintain energy balance resulting in negative energy balance.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: Randomized, cross-over controlled trial
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Basic Science