The researchers overall objective is to determine whether plant and animal protein based proteins affect the anabolic responses across aging populations differently due to specific changes in the essential amino acids (EAA) and non-essential amino acids (NEAA) kinetic responses. The researchers central hypothesis is that a high EAA to NEAA ratio in a protein meal is related to higher anabolic response to the meal. The researchers also hypothesize that the type of NEAA in a protein meal also affects the anabolic capacity of the meal. The researchers rationale is that finding the amino acid composition of a meal that will maximally induce protein anabolism will guide novel nutritional approaches to prevent and treat sarcopenia, thereby reducing both overall economic burden and improving individual patient outcomes.
Age 50-95 years old
Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); COPD group only
Stable body-weight (±5%) for the past 3 months
Ability to walk, sit down, and stand up (independently or with walking assistance device)
Established diagnosis and active treatment of chronic disease: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, active malignancy, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, HIV/AIDS, Asthma (moderate to severe), Hep (A,B, or C)
History of untreated metabolic disease including hepatic or renal disorder
Presence of acute illness or metabolically unstable chronic illness
Hysterectomy
Crossover
Whey Protein Isolate 90%
Dietary supplementCommercially available animal based protein powders
Soy Protein Isolate (90% Protein)
Dietary supplementCommercially available plant based protein powders
Organic Pea Protein Isolate
Dietary supplementCommercially available plant based protein powders
Placebo (Water)
Dietary supplementNormal drinking water
8
Treatment groupsSee each treatment group below.
Protein and amino acid synthesis capacity of plant-based and animal-based protein in older adults with or without sarcopenia measured by the use of stable isotope tracers
A novel stable isotope technique will be used to assess simultaneously the anabolic response and whole body production rates of a variety of amino acids to intake of both dietary proteins in sarcopenic older participants. The samples will be stored in laboratory freezers and the amino acid isotope enrichments and concentrations analyzed by Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The researchers will then conduct LC-MS/MS analysis, peak integration, calculation of amino acid concentrations and whole body productions from raw data, and use the results for preparation of papers for presentation, publication, and final reports. The researchers main hypothesis is that plant-based protein induces less protein anabolism, due to lower whole body production of essential amino acids (EAA) and higher production of non-essential amino acids (NEAA) as compared to dairy protein.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
