Dietary Intake and Circulating Levels of Branched Chain Amino Acids

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators are conducting this research study to find out if eating low or high levels of specific amino acids changes the levels of these same amino acids in the blood. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein that are normally found in food. The amino acids the investigators are studying are called branched chain amino acids. The investigators will look at the levels (amount) of branched chain amino acids in blood before and after consumption of specially prepared meals. The investigators hypothesize that circulating branch chain amino acid (BCAA) levels will be lower following a low BCAA-content diet compared with a high BCAA-content diet.

Official Title
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Short-term Dietary Intake and Branched Chain Amino Acids

Conditions
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Dietary Intake of Branched Chain Amino Acids

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Diet high in amino acid levels
* Other: Diet low in amino acid levels


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult males Ages 20-40 Healthy Exclusion Criteria: Age less than 20 or greater than 40 Female sex Use of medications and herbal or vitamin supplements during the study or less than one month prior to enrollment in the study Body mass index (BMI) less than 20 or greater than 25 Changes of more than 5 pounds in weight (increase or decrease) during the month prior to enrollment in the study Participation in more than 300 minutes of exercise per week during the month prior to enrollment in the study or plans for changes in exercise level during the study Known diabetes or pre-diabetes (based on prior diagnoses; use of medications to lower glucose; or fasting blood glucose > 100mg/dL at screening) Untreated hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure > 140mmHg and diastolic blood pressure > 90mmHg) Use of nicotine-containing products, including those inhaled, chewed, or patches during the study. Use of drugs of abuse. Conditions causing intestinal malabsorption, including celiac disease or a history of intestinal or gastric surgery Restrictions that prevent adherence to standardized meals or unwillingness to adhere to a pre-specified meal plan, including abstinence from alcohol and limitation to 1 caffeinated beverage per day Known anemia (men, hematocrit < 38%) based on prior testing

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

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
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Initial Diet - high in amino acid levels<br>Visit 1 (Day 1): Screening Visit Visit 2 (14-21 days after Visit 1): Begin high amino acid diet Visit 3 (4 days after Visit 2): Completion of high amino acid diet Visit 4 (3 days after Visit 3): Begin low amino acid diet Visit 5 (4 days after Visit 4): Completion of low amino acid diet, completion of study | Other: Diet high in amino acid levels<br>* Meals will be prepared in the Clinical Research Center Metabolism & Nutrition Metabolic Kitchen, and participants will eat only this food during the controlled-diet periods of the study. The diets will contain equivalent calories (matched to the requirements of each participant) and either a low or high percentage of all BCAAs relative to protein content.<br>* Other names: l-valine;Other: Diet low in amino acid levels<br>* Meals will be prepared in the Clinical Research Center Metabolism & Nutrition Metabolic Kitchen, and participants will eat only this food during the controlled-diet periods of the study. The diets will contain equivalent calories (matched to the requirements of each participant) and either a low or high percentage of all BCAAs relative to protein content.<br>|
| Experimental: Initial Diet - low in amino acid levels<br>Visit 1 (Day 1): Screening Visit Visit 2 (14-21 days after Visit 1): Begin low amino acid diet Visit 3 (4 days after Visit 2): Completion of low amino acid diet Visit 4 (3 days after Visit 3): Begin high amino acid diet Visit 5 (4 days after Visit 4): Completion of high amino acid diet, completion of study | Other: Diet high in amino acid levels<br>* Meals will be prepared in the Clinical Research Center Metabolism & Nutrition Metabolic Kitchen, and participants will eat only this food during the controlled-diet periods of the study. The diets will contain equivalent calories (matched to the requirements of each participant) and either a low or high percentage of all BCAAs relative to protein content.<br>* Other names: l-valine;Other: Diet low in amino acid levels<br>* Meals will be prepared in the Clinical Research Center Metabolism & Nutrition Metabolic Kitchen, and participants will eat only this food during the controlled-diet periods of the study. The diets will contain equivalent calories (matched to the requirements of each participant) and either a low or high percentage of all BCAAs relative to protein content.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Comparison of Branch Chain Amino Acid levels following diet interventions | A comparison of branched chain amino acid levels (as measured by mass spectrometry) following 4 days of a low and following 4 days of a high BCAA-content diet | 4 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in fasting BCAA levels from native dietary intake to completion of diet intervention |  | 4 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Nutrition