Effect of a Natural Source Supplementation on Muscle Mass

Periods of muscle disuse are commonly experienced in young and elderly individuals as a result of short-term hospitalization or leg casting after injury. Periods of immobilization result in a profound loss of muscle mass and strength. This loss of muscle mass can have negative effects on health and the ability to carry out activities of daily living. Thus, it is very important to try to maintain muscle mass during muscle disuse. Recent research suggests that Fortetropin, which is an all-natural protein-fat complex made from fertilized hen egg yolks, can enhance muscle mass and strength with weightlifting in young men. In this study, we aim to investigate the safety and tolerability of Fortetropin and whether Fortetropin supplementation can reduce or prevent the loss of muscle mass during single-leg immobilization while you are wearing a knee brace. To make this decision, we require a study to compare Fortetropin to a placebo (something that contains the same amount of protein and energy as Fortetropin). The findings from this study will help us understand if Fortetropin supplementation is safe, tolerable, and can be used to slow muscle loss in people who undergo periods of muscle disuse (i.e. surgery, sickness).


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men, between the ages of 20-25 years (inclusive).
* Willing and able to provide informed consent.
* Be in general good health, non-smoking.
* Body mass index (BMI) between 20-35kg/m2.
* Agree to not consume eggs for the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Use of tobacco related products.
* Veganism or vegetarianism.
* Subject has any concurrent medical, orthopedic, or psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise his/her ability to comply with the study requirements.
* History of cancer within the last 5 years, except basal cell carcinoma, non-squamous skin carcinoma, prostate cancer or carcinoma in situ with no significant progression over the past 2 years.
* Significant orthopedic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, liver, infectious disease, immune disorder (requiring ongoing medical care), or metabolic/endocrine disorder (e.g. diabetes, high cholesterol, elevated fasting blood sugar) or other disease that would preclude oral protein supplement ingestion and/or assessment of safety and study objectives.
* Any cachexia-related condition (e.g. relating to cancer, tuberculosis or human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or any genetic muscle diseases or disorders.
* Current illness with could interfere with the study (e.g. prolonged severe diarrhea, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing).
* Subject participated in a study of an investigational product less than 60 days or 5 half-lives of the investigational product, whichever is longer, before enrollment in this study.
* Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the test product.
* Excessive alcohol consumption (\>21 standard drinks/week, e.g. 18oz glass of 5% beer - 1.5 standard drinks, a 750ml bottle of 12% wine = 5 standard drinks).
* Known sensitivity or allergy to amino acids or any ingredient in the test formulations. 12) Prior gastrointestinal bypass surgery (Lapband, etc.), irritable bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
* History of bleeding diathesis, platelet or coagulation disorders, or antiplatelet/anti-coagulation therapy (up to 81 mg of baby aspirin per day taken as a prophylactic is permitted).
* Personal or family history of clotting disorder or deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is a serious, and potentially lethal, medical condition, therefore, it is imperative if you have personal or family history it is disclosed this to the research staff.
* Concomitant use of corticosteroids, testosterone replacement therapy (ingestion, injection, or transdermal), any anabolic steroid, creatine, whey protein supplements, casein or branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) within 45 days prior to screening.