Effects of Essential Amino Acid-enriched Whey and Carbohydrate Co-ingestion on Protein Kinetics

NCT04621175 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 20-14HC
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 17
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Previous work conducted by the Investigators demonstrates that an essential amino acid(EAA)-enriched whey protein combination format is an efficient EAA/protein format to support enhanced whole-body protein balance and sustain muscle protein synthesis compared to isonitrogenous amounts of whey alone or a mixed-macronutrient meal. However, additional work is needed to optimize the formulation to ensure the best possible muscle and whole-body anabolic responses are achieved. This includes addressing the potential value of adding non-EAA/protein components to support energy demands. Providing additional non-protein energy to an EAA-enriched whey protein formulation may reduce the proportion of exogenous amino acids directed towards energy production thereby preserving its use for muscle protein synthesis. However, whether suppressing exogenous amino acid oxidation by providing additional carbohydrate allows for a greater muscle protein synthetic stimulus during moderate energy deficit (- 30% total energy requirements) is unknown. Therefore, this study will test the effects of EAA-enriched whey protein plus carbohydrate versus EAA-enriched whey plus additional EAA using a randomized, cross-sectional longitudinal study design.

Conditions

Energy Deficit

Keywords

whole-body protein turnover; muscle protein synthesis; protein kinetics

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Whole-body Protein Balance

  Whole-body net balance will be determined using stable-isotope methodologies

  approximately 5.75 hours

• Whole-body Protein Synthesis

  Whole-body protein synthesis will be determined using stable-isotope methodologies

  approximately 5.75 hours

• Whole-body Protein Breakdown

  Whole-body protein breakdown will be determined using stable-isotope methodologies

  approximately 5.75 hours

• Muscle Protein Synthesis

  Muscle protein synthesis will be determined using stable-isotope methodologies

  approximately 5.75 hours

Study Arms (4)

EAA+W & Carbohydrate: Balance (BAL) first, then Deficit (DEF)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will consume an essential amino acid plus whey (EAA+W) beverage with added Carbohydrate during energy balance (BAL) first, then again during energy deficit (DEF).

Dietary Supplement: EAA+W & Carbohydrate

EAA+W & Carbohydrate: DEF first, then BAL

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will consume an essential amino acid plus whey beverage with added Carbohydrate during energy deficit first, then again during energy balance.

Dietary Supplement: EAA+W & Carbohydrate

EAA+W & EAA: BAL first, then DEF

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will consume an essential amino acid (EAA) plus whey beverage with added EAA during energy balance first, then again during energy deficit.

Dietary Supplement: EAA+W & EAA

EAA+W & EAA: DEF first, then BAL

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will consume an essential amino acid (EAA) plus whey beverage with added EAA during energy deficit first, then again during energy balance.

Dietary Supplement: EAA+W & EAA

Interventions

EAA+W & Carbohydrate DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Essential amino acid plus whey beverage with added carbohydrate

EAA+W & Carbohydrate: Balance (BAL) first, then Deficit (DEF); EAA+W & Carbohydrate: DEF first, then BAL

EAA+W & EAA DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Essential amino acid plus whey beverage with added essential amino acid

EAA+W & EAA: BAL first, then DEF; EAA+W & EAA: DEF first, then BAL

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Body mass index \< 30.0 kg/m2
• Weight stable in the past 2 months (± 2.27 kg)
• Healthy without evidence of chronic illness or musculoskeletal injury as determined by the USARIEM Office of Medical Support and Oversight (OMSO) or home duty station medical support
• Functional exercise (i.e., step ups, box jumps, body mass movements) and/or aerobic exercise trained defined by self-report as performing ≥ 2 sessions/wk for previous 6 months
• Willing to refrain from taking any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., aspirin, Advil®, Aleve®, Naprosyn®), or any other aspirin-containing product for 10 days before the first \~8.5 hour laboratory day and at least 5 days after completing the last \~8.5 hour laboratory day
• Willing to refrain from alcohol, smoking any nicotine product (includes e-cigarettes), vaping, chewing tobacco, caffeine, and dietary supplements after the completing the baseline period until the end of the study
• Must obtain supervisor approval for federal civilian employees and non-HRV active duty military personnel working within the US Army Natick Soldier Systems Center
• Females must have normal menstrual cycles between 26-32 days in duration; 5 menstrual cycles within the past 6 months; or able to provide documentation of oral/hormonal contraceptive use which contains low-dose estrogen/progesterone to maintain continuous levels throughout the 28-day cycle (i.e., no placebos)

You may not qualify if:

• Metabolic or cardiovascular abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.)
• Abnormal PT/PTT test or problems with blood clotting
• History of complications with lidocaine
• Present condition of alcoholism, anabolic steroids, or other substance abuse issues as assessed by OMSO
• Participation in blood donation within 8-wk of beginning the study
• Pregnant, trying to become pregnant, and/or breastfeeding (results of urine pregnancy test or self-report for breastfeeding will be obtained before body composition testing)
• Unwillingness or inability to consume study diets or foods provided due to personal preference, dietary restrictions, and/or food allergies
• Unwillingness to adhere to study physical restrictions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine: lead
• University of Arkansas: collaborator
• Eastern Michigan University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Natick, Massachusetts, 01760, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Gwin JA, Robillard JT, Murphy NE, Carrigan CT, Wilson MA, Varanoske AN, Church DD, Ferrando AA, Pasiakos SM, Margolis LM. Elevated miR-194-5p Expression During Short-term Energy Deficit Attenuates Post-Exercise Muscle Protein Synthesis by Inhibiting Anabolic Signaling. J Nutr. 2026 Jan 27:101380. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101380. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 41611130 DERIVED

• Gwin JA, Church DD, Allen JT, Wilson MA, Carrigan CT, Murphy NE, Varanoske AN, Margolis LM, Wolfe RR, Ferrando AA, Pasiakos SM. Consuming Whey Protein with Added Essential Amino Acids, Not Carbohydrate, Maintains Postexercise Anabolism While Underfed. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Jan 1;57(1):70-80. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003541. Epub 2024 Aug 23.

  PMID: 39160756 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Carbohydrates; Excitatory Amino Acids

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Amino Acids; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

Study Officials

• Jess A Gwin, PhD

  US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: double (participant and investigator)
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: FED
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: randomized, cross-sectional, longitudinal study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 24, 2020
• First Posted: November 9, 2020
• Study Start: September 9, 2020
• Primary Completion: August 23, 2022
• Study Completion: August 23, 2022
• Last Updated: January 27, 2025

Record last verified: 2022-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)