Aminoacidemia and Protein Kinetics in Response to the Ingestion of Plant-based Protein Blends

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The present investigation aims to study a novel plant based protein isolate blend to determine if it results in similar muscle building responses compared to whey protein isolate.

Detailed Description
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Whey protein is considered the 'gold standard' to maintain body proteins (muscle, skin, bone). When isolated from milk, whey protein isolate (WPI) contains all nine essential amino acids (EAA) which are 'building blocks' that are needed to support the maintenance of body proteins. To date, there is no plant-based protein (PBP) isolate that compares to the recommended WPI towards how our body builds or supports our muscles. WPI is considered the 'gold standard' because it contains all of the EAA which provide the right amount of 'building blocks' to support our muscles. Current PBP isolates available contain insufficient amounts of EAA, and are less digestible, resulting in less 'building blocks' available to support our muscles. Recently, plant protein combinations have been designed to provide the right amounts of all the EAAs. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the effects of a novel PBP blend on muscle protein synthesis responses by comparing it to WPI.

Official Title
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Aminoacidemia and Protein Kinetics in Response to the Ingestion of Plant-based Protein Blends

Conditions
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Nutrition, Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Protein quality


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male or female, between the ages of 18 - 30 years (inclusive) Have a body mass index (BMI) between 18-30 kg·m2 (inclusive) Be in general good health as assessed by a general health questionnaire Non-smoking Regular menstrual cycle and not using hormonal contraceptives Willing and able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Currently using analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs A history of neuromuscular problems or muscle and/or bone wasting diseases Any acute or chronic illness, metabolic disorders Currently using corticosteroids Use of hormonal contraceptives or anabolic steroids (e.g. testosterone)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 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: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: The study design will be a randomized, double blind, crossover trial.
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Whey protein isolate<br>Whey protein isolate is the 'gold standard' of protein supplements due to being rich in essential amino acids and leucine. Leucine is a key amino acid the is required to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Muscle protein synthesis is the major mechanism the underpins muscle growth. The whey protein would ostensibly serve as a positive control. | Dietary Supplement: Protein quality<br>* the present investigation aims to study a novel protein based protein isolate blend with and without leucine an compared with whey protein isolate to determine its impact aminoacidemia and muscle protein synthesis healthy adults.<br>|
| Experimental: Plant based protein isolate<br>Current plant-based protein isolates available contain insufficient amounts of leucine, and are less digestible, resulting in a reduced muscle protein synthesis responses. The plant based protein would ostensibly serve as a negative control. | Dietary Supplement: Protein quality<br>* the present investigation aims to study a novel protein based protein isolate blend with and without leucine an compared with whey protein isolate to determine its impact aminoacidemia and muscle protein synthesis healthy adults.<br>|
| Experimental: Plant based protein isolate + leucine<br>Enriching plant-based protein with leucine will increase the 'quality' of said protein source and theoretically should have similar muscle protein synthetic responses to whey protein. | Dietary Supplement: Protein quality<br>* the present investigation aims to study a novel protein based protein isolate blend with and without leucine an compared with whey protein isolate to determine its impact aminoacidemia and muscle protein synthesis healthy adults.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle protein synthesis | A marker of muscle growth | Over a 5 hour period | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aminoacidemia | Amino acids in the blood | Over a 5 hour period | 
| Appetite and desire for specific food types in response to test drinks types H | Questionnaire on appetite and palpability of the drinks assessed by a visual analogue scale. 100 mm in length with words anchored at each end, expressing the most positive and the most negative rating used to assess hunger, satiety and fullness. Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Immediately before, and 30, 60, 120, 180 and 300 minutes after test drinks are consumed. | 
| Palatability of test drinks | Questionnaire of palatability of test drinks assessed by a visual analogue scale. 100 mm in length with words anchored at each end, expressing the most positive and the most negative rating used to assess visual appeal, smell, taste, aftertaste and palatability. Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Immediately after test drink are consumed. | 
| Questionnaire on safety | Safety will be measured via a questionnaire; e.g. can the participant drink the test drinks and are they okay? Yes or no. | Over a 5 hour period | 
| Tolerability of test drinks | Tolerability will be measured using Visual Analog Scales anchored by the following descriptors: 0 - no symptoms at all; 100 - worst symptoms participant has ever experienced for the following: nausea, belching, feeling of fullness, vomiting, abdominal distension, flatulence, diarrhoea, dry mouth, and thirst. | Over a 5 hour period | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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plant-based protein, whey protein, protein quality, muscle protein synthesis