Role of Leucine in the Regulation of Human Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis at Rest and Following Resistance Exercise

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Muscle mass is normally maintained through the regulated balance between the processes of protein synthesis (i.e. making new muscle proteins) and protein breakdown (breaking down old muscle proteins). Proteins are composed of amino acids and we know that amino acids increase muscle protein synthesis. However, not all amino acids are the same. Essential amino acids are ones that must be consumed through food, while non-essential amino acids can be made by our body. Interestingly, the essential amino acids are all that are required to increase the rate of muscle protein synthesis. In addition, the essential amino acid leucine appears to be particularly important in regulating protein synthesis. However, how leucine is able to increase protein synthesis is not entirely understood. Previously, it has been shown that 20-25 g of high-quality protein, such as that found in milk, appears to be the amount of protein that maximizes the rate of muscle protein synthesis after performing a bout of resistance exercise. Thus, the aim is to measure the synthesis of new muscle proteins after ingesting the following: 25g whey protein 6.25g whey protein supplemented with leucine 6.25g whey protein supplemented with essential amino acids but no leucine The investigators will measure muscle protein synthesis after consumption of the above beverages in a leg that has done no exercise ( ie. a rested leg) and in the other leg that has done resistance exercise. The hypothesis is that 6.25g whey supplemented with leucine will stimulate muscle protein synthesis as effectively as 25g whey, but that 6.25g whey supplemented will all the essential amino acids except whey will be less effective at increasing muscle protein synthesis. Whey protein is a dairy-based protein found in cow's milk, thus when you drink a glass of milk you are consuming some whey protein. However, the investigators will be using an isolated form of whey protein, meaning it has been removed from milk. As mentioned previously, amino acids are 'strung-together' to make protein. The 'essential' amino acids must be consumed through food because our body cannot make them, thus they are consumed when you eat protein-rich foods like milk or chicken.

Official Title
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Role of Leucine in the Regulation of Human Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis at Rest and Following Resistance Exercise

Conditions
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Regulation of Muscle Protein Synthesis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: whey protein
* Dietary Supplement: whey protein supplemented with leucine
* Dietary Supplement: whey protein supplemented with essential amino acids


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: male 18-35 years of age non-smoker/ non-tobacco product user Exclusion Criteria: heart disease vascular disease rheumatoid arthritis diabetes poor lung function uncontrolled blood pressure dizziness thyroid problems

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 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: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 25 g protein<br>25 g whey protein | Dietary Supplement: whey protein<br>* 25 g whey protein<br>* Other names: whey protein powder;|
| Experimental: 6.25 g protein supplemented with leucine<br>6.25 g protein supplemented with leucine | Dietary Supplement: whey protein supplemented with leucine<br>* 6.25 g whey protein supplemented with free form leucine<br>* Other names: whey protein powder supplemented with free-form leucine;|
| Experimental: 6.25 g whey protein with EAA<br>6.25 g protein supplemented with a mixture of essential amino acids devoid of leucine | Dietary Supplement: whey protein supplemented with essential amino acids<br>* 6.25 g whey protein supplemented with essential amino acids devoid of leucine<br>* Other names: whey protein supplemented with EAA devoid of leucine;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle protein synthesis | Muscle protein synthesis will be expressed as fractional synthetic rate (FSR) by dividing the increment in enrichment in the product, i.e. protein-bound C13phe, by the enrichment of the precursor (= intracellular availability). | 5 hours postprandial | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Signaling molecule phosphorylation status | Western blot will be used to measure the phosphorylation status of signaling molecules involved in protein synthesis ie. mTOR, p70S6k, 4E-BP1. | 1, 3, and 5 hours | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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skeletal muscle, FSR, resistance exercise, leucine, protein