Clinical trial NCT04297137: The Bioavailability of Multiple Novel, Sustainable, Non-animal Derived Protein Sources
Official title: Comparing the Bioavailability of the Sustainable, Non-animal Derived Protein Sources Mycoprotein, Spirulina, Chlorella, Pea and Lupin to Milk Protein in Healthy Older Adults
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Healthy Aging
Keywords: Protein digestion
Amino acid absorption
Bioavailability
Lead sponsor: University of Exeter
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2020-03-05
Enrollment: 22
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 80
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE

Brief summary: The progressive age-related loss of muscle mass is termed sarcopenia. Consequences of sarcopenia are, but not limited to, decreased muscle strength, frailty, and an increased risk for the development of chronic metabolic diseases. Impaired postprandial protein digestion and amino acid absorption with advancing age has been suggested to be a key mechanism underlying sarcopenia. To overcome age-related skeletal muscle atrophy, sufficient dietary protein intake is required. However, the production of animal-based protein sources, such as milk, is associated with a number of economic, environmental, and ethical issues. Accordingly, there is a need to develop sustainable dietary protein sources to support our nutrition. Mycoprotein, spirulina, chlorella, pea, and lupin are novel, sustainable, non-animal derived protein sources that may represent potential alternative protein sources. However, the efficacy of these sources to stimulate muscle mass growth in both young and older adults is unknown.

Therefore, the present study will investigate the postprandial bioavailability of mycoprotein, spirulina, chlorella, pea, and lupin protein when compared to the animal-derived milk protein. Moreover, postprandial protein handling of these novel protein sources across different ages will be assessed. Briefly, 12 healthy young, and older adults will visit the University for 6 separate test days, with each day lasting 6 hours. Participants will consume the one of the 6 protein drinks on each test day. Repeated blood sampling will be used to assess protein digestion and subsequent systemic amino acid appearance.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Males and females aged 18-35 or 55 - 80 years old.
* Body mass index between 18.5 - 30.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any diagnosed metabolic impairment (e.g. type 1 or 2 Diabetes).
* Any diagnosed cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
* Elevated blood pressure (\>150/90 mmHg) at the time of screening.
* Known pre-existing liver disease/condition.
* Any medication known to affect protein and/or amino acid metabolism.
* Allergy to mycoprotein/Quorn/edible fungi, edible algae, lupin/legumes, or milk.
* Smoking.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Plasma amino acid concentrations
timeFrame: 5 hours
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Blood glucose
timeFrame: 5 hours
measure: Serum insulin
timeFrame: 5 hours
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Exeter
country: United Kingdom
facility: University of Exeter
Study officials:
affiliation: Professor of Nutritional Physiology
name: Benjamin T Wall, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: