The Effect of Mealworm Protein Ingestion on Muscle Protein Synthesis After Running Exercise in Humans

NCT05353595 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: METC 21-083
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 25
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Rationale: Consumption of sufficient dietary protein is fundamental to skeletal muscle mass maintenance and overall health. Conventional animal-based protein sources such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy are considered high-quality sources of dietary protein. However, the production of sufficient amounts of these conventional animal-based proteins to meet future global food demands will be challenging. Consequently, there is a great interest in more sustainable alternatives for these high-quality protein sources. Edible insects have recently been proposed as a high quality source of dietary protein. Insects are produced on a more viable and sustainable commercial scale and, as such, may contribute to ensuring global food security. Insect derived proteins represent a protein source that combines high quality with a (more) sustainable production. Though insect proteins have been suggested as a solution to secure future global dietary protein needs, there little data to support the bioavailability of insect derived proteins and their capacity to stimulate post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates in vivo in humans. Objective: To assess the impact of ingesting mealworm derived protein on muscle protein synthesis rates during recovery from aerobic exercise in a group healthy men and women Study design: randomized, counter-balanced, cross-over design Study population: 20 healthy lean (BMI 18.5-30 kg/m2) young males and females (age: 18-35 y inclusive). Intervention: Subjects will perform running exercise and consume either 0.38 g per kg bodyweight mealworm protein or a non-caloric placebo. In addition, continuous intravenous tracer infusions will be applied, with plasma and muscle samples collected. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome will be post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates following beverage ingestion.

Conditions

Muscle Protein Synthesis

Keywords

Dietary protein; Insect protein; muscle protein synthesis; muscle anabolism; endurance exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Muscle protein synthesis rates

  Muscle protein synthesis rates are calculated using L-ring-13C6-phenylalanine tracer and provided as 1 integrated value over the specified timeframe using plasma as precursor.

  0-6 hours

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Muscle protein synthesis rates

  -3- 0 hours

• Muscle protein synthesis rates

  0-3 hours

• Muscle protein synthesis rates

  3-6 hours

• Plasma glucose concentrations

  0-6 hours

• Plasma insulin concentrations

  0-6 hours

Other Outcomes (9)

• Age in year

  baseline

• Dietary macronutrient intake

  2 days before test days

• Body mass in kg

  baseline

Study Arms (2)

insect protein

EXPERIMENTAL

0.38g insect protein / kg body mass with vanilla flavouring is provided. In the morning the participant is weighed and based on this weight an independent researcher prepares the protein drink.

Dietary Supplement: Insect protein; Behavioral: Running exercise

placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

participants receive the same amount of water (based on body weight) with vanilla flavouring. this drink is also prepared by an independent researcher.

Behavioral: Running exercise

Interventions

Insect protein DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Insect protein concentrate retrieved from lesser mealworms.

insect protein

Running exercise BEHAVIORAL

40 minutes of running on a treadmill at 70% heart rate corresponding Vo2peak

Also known as: treadmill running, endurance exercise

insect protein; placebo

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 - 35 y
• BMI 18.5 - 30 kg/m2
• Having given informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Participating in a structured (progressive) exercise program
• Smoking regularly
• Allergy to house dust mites or crustaceans
• Diagnosed GI tract disorders or diseases
• Diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders
• Diagnosed metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypertension (blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg)
• Donated blood 3 months prior to test day
• Pregnant
• Amenorrhea
• Using third generation oral contraceptives
• Use of any medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories).
• Chronic use of gastric acid suppressing medication
• Chronic use of anti-coagulants

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Maastricht University Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

Maastricht University Medical Centre+

Maastricht, Limburg, 6229ER, Netherlands

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Insect Proteins

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthropod Proteins; Proteins; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

Study Officials

• Luc JC van Loon, PhD

  Maastricht University Medical Centre+

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: protein and placebo are matched for flavour and provided in dark bottle. Independent person is responsible for drink randomization and preparation. Final blood and muscle analyses are performed by research personnel that was unaware of treatment allocation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: randomized, counter-balanced, cross-over design

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2022
• First Posted: April 29, 2022
• Study Start: June 3, 2022
• Primary Completion: September 21, 2023
• Study Completion: September 21, 2023
• Last Updated: October 31, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NL (1)