NCT01948492

Brief Summary

Minimal data are available on protein requirements throughout the lifespan. Currently available recommendations are based on nitrogen balance data. The limitations of the nitrogen balance method have been well described. Importantly, nitrogen balanced underestimates requirements. The current dietary reference intake (DRI) requirement for healthy adult males is based on the reanalysis of the nitrogen balance date from Young and Scrimshaw. This data was reanalyzed statistically by Rand et al. and he concluded that the protein requirement of healthy adults was 0.65 and 0.83 (mean and RDA) g/kg/day of good quality protein. Using IAAO, our group estimated the protein requirement of young men (mean age 27 years) to be 0.93 and 1.2 g/kg/day (mean and RDA). Currently there are no studies on protein requirement in the elderly. In a recent nutrition survey conducted by national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES), the authors concluded that adults between the ages of 51 - 70 years old consumed an average on 1.0 g/kg/day (ideal body weight) of protein which represents about 15 % of calories. Depending on the calculations used for ideal body weight some older adults could be getting higher or lower than requirement. There is no scientifically derived protein estimate for older adults. Therefore there is a need to measurer protein requirement in that population. The goal of this study therefore is to measure the protein requirement of male elderly subjects \> 75 years using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique. Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize the protein requirement in elderly male subjects will be lower (0.85-1.05 g/kg/day) than that established in young healthy males ( 0.93 - 1.2g/kg/day).

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
6

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable healthy

Timeline
Completed

Started Mar 2012

Longer than P75 for not_applicable healthy

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 1, 2012

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 16, 2013

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 23, 2013

Completed
8 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2014

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2014

Completed
Last Updated

January 9, 2018

Status Verified

January 1, 2018

Enrollment Period

2.3 years

First QC Date

August 16, 2013

Last Update Submit

January 5, 2018

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Breath samples will be collected on day 3 of the experiment between the 4th and 5th meal and after the 6th and 7th meal. The ratios of carbon 13 to carbon 12 will be measured in breath.

    10 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Urine samples will be collected on day 3 of the experiment between the 4th and 5th meal and after the 6th and 7th meal for measurement of the rations of the enrichment of carbon 13 to carbon 12 in urine phenylalanine.

    10 months

Study Arms (1)

protein

EXPERIMENTAL

varying protein intake in random order from deficient to excess

Dietary Supplement: Protein intake

Interventions

Protein intakeDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

On the study day, the diet will be provided as free amino acids, with calories made up by a liquid diet and protein free cookies. Protein intakes will be varied as 0.2, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 g/kg/day.

protein

Eligibility Criteria

Age76 Years - 90 Years
Sexmale
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsOlder Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Healthy elderly males \>75 years
  • Willingness to participate in the study
  • Males without a chronic disease or acute illness that could affect protein and amino acid (AA) metabolism eg, diabetes, cancer, liver or kidney disease, HIV, acute cold or flu, hypo or hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Males with hypertension if well controlled by medications

You may not qualify if:

  • Presence of disease known to affect protein and AA requirement and synthesis like diabetes, cancer, liver o kidney disease, HIV, acute cold or flu, hypo or hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-inflammatory medications.
  • On medications known to affect protein and amino acid metabolism like e.g. steroids.
  • Significant weight loss during the past month.
  • Individual on weight reducing diets.
  • Inability to tolerate the diet or unwilling to have blood drawn from a venous access for the purposes of the study.
  • Significant coffee consumption of more than 2 cups/day (400 mg of caffeine/day)
  • Significant Alcohol consumption of more than one drink/day ( 1 beer, ½ glass of wine)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

The Hospital for Sick Children

Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Rafii M, Chapman K, Elango R, Campbell WW, Ball RO, Pencharz PB, Courtney-Martin G. Dietary Protein Requirement of Men >65 Years Old Determined by the Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation Technique Is Higher than the Current Estimated Average Requirement. J Nutr. 2015 Apr 1;146(4):681-687. doi: 10.3945/jn.115.225631.

    PMID: 26962173BACKGROUND

Study Officials

  • Paul B Pencharz, MD, PhD

    The Hospital for Sick Children

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Senior Scientist, The Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 16, 2013

First Posted

September 23, 2013

Study Start

March 1, 2012

Primary Completion

June 1, 2014

Study Completion

June 1, 2014

Last Updated

January 9, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-01

Locations