Effects of Whey and Collagen Protein Blend on Protein Synthesis Rates

NCT05386771 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: METC 22-017
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Rationale: Protein ingestion stimulates muscle protein synthesis and augments the muscle protein synthetic response to a single exercise session. In support, protein supplementation has been shown to augment the gains in muscle mass and strength following resistance exercise training. The force generated by contracting muscle is transferred through a network of connective tissue proteins towards the bone. Consequently, remodeling of skeletal muscle connective tissue represents an essential component of skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise. The anabolic effect of a protein supplement is mainly determined by the plasma amino acid response after ingestion. Although whey protein is considered the preferred protein source to maximize myofibrillar protein synthesis rates, it contains insufficient glycine and proline to support the post-exercise increase in connective tissue protein synthesis rates. In contrast, collagen protein is rich in glycine and proline and has, therefore, been proposed as a preferred protein source to support connective tissue remodeling. Hence, the combined ingestion of whey plus collagen protein may therefore be preferred to stimulate both myofibrillar and collagen protein synthesis rates in skeletal muscle tissue. The most ideal protein supplement for stimulating both myofibrillar and collagen protein synthesis is one that gives a rapid initial rise in plasma amino acid concentrations including leucine, proline and glycine concentrations. However, the effect a blend of whey and collagen protein on myofibrillar and connective tissue protein synthesis rates is unknown. Objective: To assess the effect of a whey and collagen protein blend versus a placebo on myofibrillar and connective tissue protein synthesis rates in muscle obtained during recovery from exercise and rest in vivo in humans. Study design: Double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled intervention study. Study population: 28 healthy recreationally active males (18-35 y; BMI: 18.5-30 kg/m2). Intervention: Participants will perform unilateral resistance exercise followed by the ingestion of either a blend of 25 g whey and 5 g collagen protein or a non-caloric placebo (flavored water). Continuous intravenous stable isotope amino acid tracer infusions will be applied, and plasma and muscle samples will be collected in order to assess protein synthesis rates in muscle tissue.

Conditions

Muscle Protein Synthesis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle protein synthesis rates exercised leg

  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 of the exercised leg.

  0-5 hours

• Muscle protein synthesis rates rested leg

  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 of the rested leg.

  0-5 hours

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Muscle protein synthesis rates

  -3-0 hours

• Plasma glucose concentrations

  0-5 hours

• Plasma insulin concentrations

  0-5 hours

• Plasma amino acids concentrations

  0-5 hours

Other Outcomes (8)

• Age

  baseline

• Dietary macronutrient intake

  2 days before test days

• Body mass in kg

  baseline

Study Arms (2)

Whey and collagen protein blend

EXPERIMENTAL

A blend of 25g of whey protein and 5g of collagen protein

Dietary Supplement: Whey/collagen protein blend; Behavioral: Resistance exercise

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Water, same volume as the experimental study beverage

Dietary Supplement: Whey/collagen protein blend; Behavioral: Resistance exercise

Interventions

Whey/collagen protein blend DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Ingestion of 30g of protein dissolved in 300ml water consumed after an exercise session

Placebo; Whey and collagen protein blend

Resistance exercise BEHAVIORAL

A single resistance exercise session of the leg press and leg extension exercise

Placebo; Whey and collagen protein blend

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Males
• Aged between 18-35 years
• Healthy, recreationally active (performing exercise 3 times per week or less in the past 6 months)
• BMI 18.5 - 30 kg/m2
• No physical limitations (i.e. able to perform all activities associated with daily living in an independent manner).

You may not qualify if:

• Females
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Use of any medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or prescribed acne medications).
• Participation in any structured regular exercise program
• Chronic use of gastric acid suppressing medication or anti-coagulants
• Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract
• Blood donation in the past 2 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Maastricht University Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

Maastricht University Medical Centre+

Maastricht, Limburg, 6229ER, Netherlands

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Aussieker T, Kaiser J, Hermans WJH, Hendriks FK, Holwerda AM, Senden JM, VAN Kranenburg JMX, Goessens JPB, Braun U, Baar K, Snijders T, VAN Loon LJC. Ingestion of a Whey Plus Collagen Protein Blend Increases Myofibrillar and Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Mar 1;57(3):544-554. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003596. Epub 2024 Nov 6.

  PMID: 39501478 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Resistance Training

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Randomized double-blind
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled intervention study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 18, 2022
• First Posted: May 23, 2022
• Study Start: September 6, 2022
• Primary Completion: April 3, 2023
• Study Completion: April 3, 2023
• Last Updated: July 19, 2023

Record last verified: 2022-09

Locations

NL (1)