8 Participants Needed

Protein Beverage for Muscle Outcomes

(VIM Trial)

ST
Overseen BySabrina T Barsky, Ph.D.
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines a special protein drink to assess its effects on muscle building. Researchers aim to compare a new, less invasive method of measuring muscle growth with traditional, more invasive techniques. Participants will consume a protein beverage mixed with safe markers (stable isotope tracers) to track changes in muscle and body protein. The trial suits individuals aged 18-35 who exercise regularly, maintain a normal body size, and can refrain from extra physical activity for two days before a session. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research on muscle growth measurement.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using hormonal contraceptives, you would not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for estimating protein synthesis?

Research shows that treatments using stable isotopes, such as the Protein + Stable Isotope Tracer Beverage, are safe for humans. These isotopes do not emit radiation and are not harmful to the body. The beverage combines these tracers with protein to study muscle protein synthesis.

Other research has used this method to safely measure muscle changes. Reviewed studies do not report any serious side effects or negative reactions. Current evidence suggests the treatment is well-tolerated.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional protein supplements that focus merely on increasing muscle mass, the new protein + stable isotope tracer beverage is unique because it allows researchers to measure muscle protein synthesis and whole-body protein synthesis in real-time. This is achieved through the inclusion of stable isotopes \[2H5\]Phenylalanine and \[1-13C\]Phenylalanine, which offer a detailed look at how effectively muscles are built and repaired. Researchers are excited about this treatment as it could lead to more precise and personalized nutrition strategies for muscle growth and recovery, potentially optimizing results far beyond current protein supplementation methods.

What evidence suggests that this beverage is effective for muscle protein synthesis?

Research shows that eating protein helps the body build muscle. Scientists use safe markers called stable isotope tracers to track protein processing, and these have shown reliable results. One study found that increasing protein intake, along with certain building blocks of protein like leucine, improved muscle building over time. In this trial, participants will consume the Protein + Stable Isotope Tracer Beverage, which could help the body use protein more effectively to support muscle growth. For those looking to build muscle, this beverage might be a promising option based on current research.35678

Who Is on the Research Team?

DM

Daniel Moore, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

University of Toronto, Faculty of KPE

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals interested in participating in research related to protein metabolism. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, so it's important to contact the study organizers for detailed inclusion and exclusion requirements.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants with a BMI within the normal range (18.5-24.9) and waist-to-hip circumference ratio of <0.95 for males and <0.8 for females
Participants willing to abide by the compliance rules of this study (e.g., abstain from extraneous physical activity 48h prior to session 4)
Physical activity score of ≥24 units as measured by the Godin leisure time exercise questionnaire
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Exclusion Criteria

Inability to adhere to any of the compliance rules judged by principal investigator
Self-reported regular tobacco or illicit drug use (e.g., growth hormone or testosterone)
I am currently using hormonal birth control.
See 1 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume isoenergetic, isonitrogenous beverages enriched with stable isotopes to measure muscle and whole-body protein synthesis

6.5 hours
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Protein + Stable Isotope Tracer Beverage

Trial Overview

The study tests a non-invasive method called IAAO (indicator amino acid oxidation) that estimates the impact of dietary protein on whole-body protein synthesis as an alternative to muscle biopsies.

How Is the Trial Designed?

1

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Protein + Stable Isotope Tracer BeverageExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials
739
Recruited
1,125,000+

Citations

A novel stable isotope tracer method to measure muscle ...

This new method of measuring muscle protein FBR during physiological non-steady state gives reliable results and allows simultaneous measurement of muscle ...

Understanding the effects of nutrition and post-exercise ...

In this review, we focus on the application of stable isotope tracers to elucidate the impact of protein ingestion and exercise on skeletal muscle protein ...

A validation of the application of D 2 O stable isotope tracer ...

In the present data, we further validate the use of D2O in measuring turnover in skeletal muscle (16, 18, 33, 50) by highlighting for the first time the ...

Investigating muscle protein synthesis using deuterium oxide ...

This review highlights that protein quantity, protein quality and enhancing leucine content can increase long-term muscle protein synthesis.

Understanding the effects of nutrition and post-exercise ...

In this review, we focus on the application of stable isotope tracers to elucidate the impact of protein ingestion and exercise on skeletal ...

Assessing Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates In Vivo in Humans

A validation of the application of D 2 O stable isotope tracer techniques for monitoring day-to-day changes in muscle protein subfraction synthesis in humans.

Investigating muscle protein synthesis using deuterium oxide

In contrast, stable isotopes do not emit radiation and are safe ... Application of stable isotope tracers to measure muscle protein synthesis (MPS) ...

Muscle Protein Synthesis and Whole-Body ...

In this manuscript, we review the effects, advantages, disadvantages, and knowledge gaps pertaining to supplemental free-form EAA, intact protein, and protein- ...