Protein Blends (Soy, Whey and Casein) for Muscle Synthesis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Soy protein is a high quality, plant-based protein that is comparable to milk, meat and eggs. Soy protein has a digestion rate (intermediate) compared to whey (fast) and casein (slow). This intermediate rate may allow soy protein to have an extended window of muscle protein synthesis that has not been monitored in previous studies. While most of the sports nutrition recovery products are dairy-based protein blends (high in branched-chain amino acids), soy protein offers additional benefits that can make an important contribution to these types of sports nutrition products. Soy protein contains approximately 300% more arginine and 30% more glutamine compared to whey protein and these two amino acids may bring additional benefits (immunity and hydration, respectively) to athletes. A blend of high-quality proteins (soy and dairy) may be the optimal sports nutrition product for athletes to consume following training.

Official Title
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A Randomized, Controlled Double Blind Acute Study: Effects of Protein Blends on Muscle Protein Synthesis and Breakdown

Conditions
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Muscle Synthesis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Protein Blend


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion: Age 18-35 yrs Stable body weight for at least 1 year Exclusion criteria will be: Exercise training (>2 weekly sessions of moderate to high intensity aerobic or resistance exercise) Significant heart, liver, kidney, blood, or respiratory disease Peripheral vascular disease Diabetes mellitus or other untreated endocrine disease Active cancer (all groups) and history of cancer (groups potentially randomizable to rapamycin) Acute infectious disease or history of chronic infections (e.g. TB, hepatitis, HIV, herpes) Recent (within 6 months) treatment with anabolic steroids, or corticosteroids. Alcohol or drug abuse Tobacco use (smoking or chewing) Malnutrition (BMI < 20 kg/m2, hypoalbuminemia, and/or hypotransferrinemia) Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) Low hemoglobin levels (below normal values) Food allergies Taking dietary supplements such as green tea, etc. Currently on a high-soy diet (consuming >2 servings of soy per day)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Whey Protein Isolate<br> | Other: Protein Blend<br>* Single intake of approximately 20 grams of total protein<br>|
| Experimental: Protein Blend (soy, whey and casein)<br> | Other: Protein Blend<br>* Single intake of approximately 20 grams of total protein<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle Protein Synthesis or Fractional synthesis rate (FSR) | The fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of mixed muscle proteins will be calculated from the incorporation rate of L-[ring-13C6]Phenylalanine into the mixed muscle proteins, and the free-tissue phenylalanine enrichment. | baseline, 3 hours, 5 hours | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| oxidative and inflammatory markers | Proteins will be assessed that are markers of oxidative damage and inflammation (NFkB, IL-1, IL-6) and proteolysis (MuRF, MAFBx). | baseline, 3 hours, 5 hours | 
| Phosphorylation of protein in muscle protein signaling pathways | Phosphorylation of mTOR, 4E-BP1, S6K1, S6, and eEF2 will be measured using Western blot techniques as previously described. | baseline, 3 hours, 5 hours | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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muscle, synthesis, mTOR, antioxidant, inflammatory markers, soy protein, whey, casein