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

NCT05353595 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 25

Last updated 2023-10-31

No results posted yet for this study

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

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Insect protein

Insect protein concentrate retrieved from lesser mealworms.

BEHAVIORAL

Running exercise

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Maastricht University Medical Center

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Luc JC van Loon, PhD · Maastricht University Medical Centre+

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
35 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-06-03
Primary Completion
2023-09-21
Completion
2023-09-21

Countries

  • Netherlands

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05353595 on ClinicalTrials.gov