Maize Flour Type and Muscle Protein Synthesis

(PRO-CORN Trial)

Overseen By Emelie Strandberg, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Must not be taking: Interfering medications

Disqualifiers: Food allergy, Anemia, Obesity, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different types of maize flour affect muscle growth and nutrient levels after eating. Participants consume a traditional East African meal made with either refined maize flour or whole grain flour to observe how each type influences muscle protein synthesis and nutrient absorption. Healthy, active men and women who exercise regularly and maintain a normal weight might be suitable candidates. Those who enjoy working out and staying fit could gain insights into how diet impacts muscle development. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to understand the impact of diet on muscle development.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you are not taking any medication that may interfere with the study, so you might need to stop certain medications. It's best to discuss your current medications with the study team to see if they are allowed.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Studies have shown that both refined and whole grain maize flour are generally safe to eat. Researchers examined the nutrition and protein levels in these flours and found no safety concerns for consumers. Both types of flour are usually well-tolerated. Refined maize flour contains less protein due to processing, which might reduce the chance of negative reactions. Overall, current research does not indicate any major safety issues with consuming these types of maize flour in meals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they explore the effects of different types of maize flour on muscle protein synthesis. Unlike traditional nutritional interventions that may focus on protein supplements or specific diets, this study examines the impact of whole grain versus refined maize flour when combined with a protein-rich meal. The unique aspect is the investigation into how these everyday food choices might influence muscle growth and repair, potentially offering a simple dietary modification to enhance muscle health.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for muscle protein synthesis?

This trial will compare the effects of refined maize flour and whole grain flour on muscle protein synthesis. Studies have shown that both types of maize flour can influence muscle protein building. One study found that consuming corn protein increased muscle protein synthesis similarly to milk protein. Participants in the refined maize flour group will receive a meal made from refined maize flour, known for its easy digestion and effective support of muscle protein synthesis. Meanwhile, those in the whole grain flour group will receive a meal made from whole grain flour, which has been linked to better overall protein balance in the body. Both types of maize flour can support muscle protein building, but they may function differently in the body. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Keith Baar

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who can safely consume a traditional East African meal of mung bean stew with corn bread. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, so participants should generally be healthy and not have food intolerances that would affect the study.

Inclusion Criteria

* Healthy active males and females (To be considered active, volunteers must meet the following American College of Sports Medicine's guideline for physical activity for healthy adults: performing at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity.

* Normal weight (BMI between 18 and 25 kg/m2

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants' height and weight are measured, and a questionnaire on physical activity and dietary habits is completed.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Test Meal and Blood Sampling

Participants consume a test meal and undergo postprandial blood draws to assess nutrient and hormonal profiles.

3 hours

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the test meal.

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Refined maize flour
• Whole grain flour

Trial Overview The study aims to compare how the body's nutrient and hormone levels change after eating corn bread made from whole grain versus refined maize flour. It will also look at muscle protein synthesis activation by these meals in a lab setting.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Whole grain flour Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will be given a meal of corn bread made from whole grain maize flour and a portion of the mung bean stew meat together with 250mL of water

Group II: Refined maize flour Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will be given a meal of corn bread made from refined maize flour and a portion of the mung bean stew meat together with 250mL of water

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Ingesting 70 g of whole food mycoprotein significantly stimulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS) more than a lower dose of 35 g of BCAA-enriched mycoprotein, as shown in a study with 19 resistance-trained young men.

While both doses increased MPS rates, the 70 g mycoprotein resulted in greater increases in MPS in both rested and exercised muscles, indicating that higher doses of mycoprotein are more effective for muscle recovery and growth.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Branched-Chain Amino Acid Fortification Does Not Restore Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates following Ingestion of Lower- Compared with Higher-Dose Mycoprotein. Monteyne, AJ., Coelho, MOC., Porter, C., et al.[2023]

Animal proteins are generally more digestible than plant proteins, leading to better amino acid availability and more effective stimulation of muscle protein synthesis.

Modified plant proteins, such as isolated or blended forms enriched with essential amino acids, may achieve similar digestion and absorption rates as animal proteins, but further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness in reducing the risk of sarcopenia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of dietary plant and animal protein intakes on mitigating sarcopenia risk. Carbone, JW., Pasiakos, SM.[2023]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/maize-flour-type-and-muscle-protein-synthesis-3150b

Maize Flour Type and Muscle Protein Synthesis The purpose of the study is to quantify and compare the serum nutrient and hormonal profile, and muscle protein synthesis rates, in response to consuming ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10844360/

The muscle protein synthetic response following corn ... The muscle protein synthetic response following corn protein ingestion does not differ from milk protein in healthy, young adults.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023070056

In vitro determination of the protein quality of maize ... Protein quality was measured using the in vitro digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS). Amino acid digestibility was higher for the dehulled, low ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/377979658_The_muscle_protein_synthetic_response_following_corn_protein_ingestion_does_not_differ_from_milk_protein_in_healthy_young_adults

The muscle protein synthetic response following corn ... The results show that Ingestion of protein increased myofibrillar protein synthesis rates from basal post-absorptive values in all treatments(P ...

5. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/nutrient-profile-and-muscle-protein-synthesis-in-response-to-corn-bread-made-from-refined-versus-who

Nutrient Profile and Muscle Protein Synthesis in Response to ... The purpose of the study is to quantify and compare the serum nutrient and hormonal profile, and muscle protein synthesis rates, in response ...

6. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/322908/nutrient-profile-and-muscle-protein-synthesis-in-response-to-corn-bread-made-from-refined-versus-whole-grain-maize-flour/

Nutrient Profile and Muscle Protein Synthesis in Response ... The purpose of the study is to quantify and compare the serum nutrient and hormonal profile and muscle protein synthesis rates in response to ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667268521000127

Understanding the effects of nutrition and post-exercise ... In this review we focus on the use of these stable isotopically-labeled tracers to unravel the intricacies of skeletal muscle protein turnover.

8. oecd.org oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2015/04/safety-assessment-of-foods-and-feeds-derived-from-transgenic-crops-volume-1_g1g2117f/9789264180147-en.pdf

Safety Assessment of Foods and Feeds Derived from ... In the production process for refined maize oil, protein is reportedly reduced to amounts below 100 micrograms per ml (SCF, 1999), or to amounts below the ...