The Anabolic Properties of a Lipid-rich Pork Matrix

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The amount and quality of skeletal muscle mass determines physical performance, but also a significant contributor to metabolic health. As such, the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is relevant across the lifespan to remain active in family and community life. Food ingestion, particularly protein, is one of the main anabolic to skeletal muscle tissue by stimulating muscle protein synthesis rates. There have been multiple attempts to identify specialized performance nutrition products (e.g., various isolated protein powders) to maximize the anabolic properties of dietary protein on muscle. Our research group, however, has advocated for a food focus approach to meet dietary protein requirements. Particularly, we propose that whole foods demonstrate food matrix effects (nutrient-nutrient interactions) that creates a greater anabolic action on muscle beyond what amino acids can create alone. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the anabolic properties of consuming lipid-rich pork products when compared to their leaner counter-parts. Our working hypothesis that the ingestion of 84% or 96% lean ground pork condition will stimulate a greater increase in muscle protein synthesis rates compared to an isocaloric carbohydrate beverage in healthy adults. We further hypothesize that the ingestion of 84% lean pork will augment the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis rates to a greater extent than 96% lean ground pork. To achieve our objective, we will recruit 15 healthy men and women (20-50 y) to receive prime-constant infusions to directly measure muscle protein synthesis rates before and after treatment ingestion using our lab's established methods.

Official Title
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The Anabolic Properties of a Lipid-rich Pork Matrix

Conditions
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Muscle Protein Synthesis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: 95.1% Lean Pork
* Other: 81.16% Lean Pork
* Other: Carbohydrate Beverage


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 20-50 yrs Pre-menopausal Recreationally active Weight stable for prior 6 months Exclusion Criteria: Age outside of range (20 - 50 yrs) Pregnancy Irregular menstrual cycles Participation in previous research using [13C6]phenylalanine Participation in other ongoing research that interferes with this study (e.g., conflicting diet, activity interventions, etc.) Any hospitalization or surgery for a metabolic, cardiovascular, or neuromusculoskeletal complication within the past year Allergy or hypersensitivity to local anesthetics, latex, or adhesives (bandages, medical tape, etc.) Excess scarring after injury History of excess bleeding after cut Chronic or frequent dizziness/fainting, and arm or leg weakness/numbness Arthritis Tumors Mental Illness Hepatorenal, cardiovascular musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurological disease or disorder Predisposition to hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation Physical activity limitations Consumption of ergogenic-levels of dietary supplements that may affect muscle mass (e.g., creatine, HMB), insulin-like substances, or anabolic/catabolic pro-hormones (e.g., DHEA) within 6 weeks prior to participation Consumption of thyroid, androgenic, or other medications known to affect endocrine function Consumption of medications known to affect protein metabolism (e.g., prescription-strength corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or acne medication) Unwillingness to comply with study procedures Weight unstable (variation >5% of bodyweight in last 6-12 months) Current or previous tobacco use with last 6 months Obesity (body mass index; BMI > 30 kg/m^2) Score of less than 14 or greater than 24 on Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire Phenylketonuria Anyone hospitalized previously for COVID-19 without a cardiovascular workup screening for cardiovascular issues post-infection Anyone recovering from COVID-19 infection within the preceding 10 days

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 50 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: This study will employ a semi-crossover model whereby participants will complete 2 of 3 conditions, each.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Low-Fat Pork<br>This condition will consist of consuming 90.2 g of low-fat (4.90% crude fat) ground pork. | Other: 95.1% Lean Pork<br>* This intervention will contain 120 kcals, 4.4 g fat, and 20 g protein from low-fat ground pork.<br>|
| Experimental: High-Fat Pork<br>This condition will consist of consuming 109.6 g of high-fat (18.84% crude fat) ground pork. | Other: 81.16% Lean Pork<br>* This intervention will contain 266 kcals, 20.6 g fat, and 20 g protein from high-fat ground pork.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Carbohydrate Control<br>This condition will consist of a carbohydrate beverage. | Other: Carbohydrate Beverage<br>* This intervention will contain 266 kcals and 73.3 g carbohydrate from a carbohydrate beverage.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Myofibrillar Fractional Synthetic Rate | Rate of building new protein in skeletal muscle contractile protein | During 5-hour post-prandial period following consumption of the study meal or beverage | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plasma Amino Acid Concentration | Concentration of amino acids in plasma as determined by LC/MS/MS | During the 3-hour post-absorptive period prior to ingestion of the study meal or beverage and throughout the 5-hour post-prandial period following meal ingestion | 
| Plasma Free Fatty Acid Concentration | Concentration of amino acids in plasma as determined by GC-MS | During the 3-hour post-absorptive period prior to ingestion of the study meal or beverage and throughout the 5-hour post-prandial period following meal ingestion | 
| Plasma Insulin Concentration | Concentration of insulin in plasma as determined by commercially-available ELISA kits | During the 3-hour post-absorptive period prior to ingestion of the study meal or beverage and throughout the 5-hour post-prandial period following meal ingestion | 
| Plasma Glucose Concentration | Concentration of glucose in plasma as determined by an automated biochemistry analyzer (YSI) | During the 3-hour post-absorptive period prior to ingestion of the study meal or beverage and throughout the 5-hour post-prandial period following meal ingestion |