SCAM: The Muscle Protein Synthetic Response of Algal and Fungal Protein

• Sponsor: University of Exeter (Other)
• Overall Status: Recruiting
• CT.gov ID: NCT05016557
• Collaborator: (none)
• Enrollment: 36
• Location: 1
• Arms: 3
• Anticipated Duration (Months): 24.4
• Patients Per Site Per Month: 1.5

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Dietary protein intake is vital for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and health. The production of animal-based proteins sources is associated with growing environmental and ethical challenges. As such, sustainable alternatives are needed. Algae are sustainably produced high-protein sources and it is predicted that algae will become one of the most consumed proteins in the next decades. However, the effects of algae on the stimulation of muscle mass growth are unknown. Therefore, we aim to assess the rate of digestion and absorption, and the effects on muscle growth of two types of algae (spirulina and chlorella) when compared to a sustainable non-animal derived fungal reference protein (mycoprotein), a source known to elicit a robust anabolic response.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Muscle Metabolism	Dietary Supplement: Protein ingestion	N/A

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Anticipated Enrollment: 36 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Official Title: The Muscle Protein Synthetic Response Following the Ingestion of a Single Bolus of Algal Protein When Compared to Fungal Protein in Healthy Young Adults
• Actual Study Start Date: Dec 19, 2020
• Anticipated Primary Completion Date: Dec 31, 2022
• Anticipated Study Completion Date: Dec 31, 2022

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: Mycoprotein Bolus ingestion of mycoprotein providing 25g protein	Dietary Supplement: Protein ingestion; Bolus ingestion of 25g protein
Experimental: Spirulina Bolus ingestion of spirulina providing 25g protein	Dietary Supplement: Protein ingestion; Bolus ingestion of 25g protein
Experimental: Chlorella Bolus ingestion of chlorella providing 25g protein	Dietary Supplement: Protein ingestion; Bolus ingestion of 25g protein

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

1. Muscle Protein Synthesis [7.5 hours]

   The rate of synthesis of new muscle protein (Fractional Synthetic Rate %/h)

Secondary Outcome Measures

1. Plasma Amino Acid Kinetics [7.5 hours]

   The rate of appearance of amino acid ingested in the drink

2. Serum Insulin [7.5 hours]

   Basal and postprandial concentrations of serum insulin

3. Blood Glucose [7.5 hours]

   Basal and postprandial concentrations of blood glucose

4. mTOR phosphorylation [7.5 hours]

   The amount of mTOR that has been activated in the muscle cell

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to 40 Years
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI between 18.5 and 30

• Recreationally active (<3 times per week structured resistance exercise training)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any metabolic impairment

• Any cardiovascular impairment

• High blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg)

• A personal history of epilepsy, seizures or schizophrenia

• Smoking

• Chronic (>1 month) use of over the counter pharmaceuticals

• Chronic (>2 months) use of amino acid or protein supplements

• Allergic to Quorn/mycoprotein or algae products

Contacts and Locations

Locations

	Site	City	State	Country	Postal Code
1	University of Exeter	Exeter	Devon	United Kingdom	EX1 2LU

Sponsors and Collaborators

• University of Exeter

Investigators

None specified.

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

None provided.

• Responsible Party: University of Exeter
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05016557
• Other Study ID Numbers: 200506/B/01
• First Posted: Aug 23, 2021
• Last Update Posted: Aug 23, 2021
• Last Verified: Aug 1, 2021

• Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: No
• Plan to Share IPD: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No
• Keywords provided by University of Exeter: Amino Acids; Protein metabolism; Resistance exercise; Muscle protein synthesis

Study Results

No Results Posted as of Aug 23, 2021