Pea Protein and Muscle Mass During Weight Loss

A Pilot Study to Examine the Effect of Pea Protein on Limiting the Loss of Muscle Mass During Weight Loss

A pilot study comparing the effects of pea protein versus whey protein on the preservation of muscle mass and functionality in individuals undertaking a weight loss regimen.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Obesity
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Pea Protein; Other: Whey Protein; Other: Maltodextrin

Detailed Description

A single site, double-blind, randomized clinical trial designed to compare the effects of pea protein or whey protein or maltodextrin supplementation on muscle mass and functionality in males and females with obesity undertaking a weight loss regimen. Eligible participants will be randomized to one of the three groups (pea protein, whey protein, maltodextrin) and will be asked to attend 3 in-person clinic visits (0, 6, and 12 weeks) for blood and urine collection and assessments of muscle mass and muscle function. A separate visit for screening and for a fasting blood sample, as well as a Pre-Study visit and a meeting with a registered dietitian, will be required.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Peter Zahradka, PhD; Phone Number: 204-235-3507; Email: pzahradka@sbrc.ca
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Carla G Taylor, PhD; Phone Number: 204-258-1361; Email: ctaylor@sbrc.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Manitoba
    • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2H 2A6
      • I.H Asper Clinical Research Institute, St. Boniface Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 30 years to 50 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male, or non-pregnant, non-lactating female, 30 to 50 years of age;
2. BMI >30 and body weight does not exceed the capacity of the DEXA (350 lbs);
3. Fat mass >23% for males and >32% for females (determined at the screening visit via bioelectrical impedance);
4. Willing to maintain a stable level of activity while participating in the study;
5. Plasma creatinine ≤265 µmol/L;
6. Plasma LDL-cholesterol <5 mmol/L;
7. Aspartate aminotransferase <160 U/L, and alanine aminotransferase <150 U/L;
8. Glycated hemoglobin <6.5%;
9. Blood pressure <160 mmHg systolic and <100 mmHg diastolic;
10. Stable regime if taking vitamin and mineral/dietary/herbal supplements for the past 1 month and while participating in the study;
11. Not taking protein supplements for the past month and willing to continue doing so for the duration of the study;
12. Has not donated blood or blood products (e.g. platelets) during the past 2 months and willing to continue doing so while participating in the study;
13. Female participants of child-bearing potential must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception throughout the study;
14. Not participating in another dietary intervention trial for the past month and willing to not start another dietary intervention trial or weight loss program for the duration of this study;
15. Willing to comply with the protocol requirements and procedures;
16. Willing to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Has experienced a cardiovascular event (e.g. heart attack, stroke) or had a surgical procedure for cardiovascular disease (e.g. bypass, stent), presence of diabetes, chronic renal disease, liver disease (with exception of fatty liver), rheumatoid arthritis, immune disorder or disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis, leukemia), cancer in the previous 5 years, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders or gastrointestinal surgery or bariatric surgery, or liposuction;
2. Taking medications for blood glucose management;
3. Taking medications or natural health products/supplements associated with weight gain or weight loss (e.g. prednisone, certain cold medications);
4. Body weight that has not been stable (± 5%) over the past 3 months;
5. History of gastrointestinal reactions or allergies to peas, pea protein, whey protein or maltodextrin, or to one or more ingredients in the beverages and foods that will be provided which significantly limits the number of items that can be used for delivery of the protein powders or maltodextrin;
6. Current (within the past 30 days) bacterial, viral or fungal infection;
7. Uncontrolled hypothyroidism;
8. Uncontrolled blood pressure;
9. Bleeding disorder;
10. Any acute medical condition or surgical intervention within the past 3 months;
11. Cigarette/cigar smoking or use of tobacco products within the last 12 months or during participation in the study;
12. Consumption of >10 alcoholic beverages per week or >2 alcoholic beverages per day within the last 3 months or while participating in the study;
13. Drug and/or alcohol abuse;
14. Psychological disorder(s);
15. Unable to obtain blood sample at the screening or week 0 visits.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Pea Protein; Participants will consume pea protein (0.35 grams protein/kg body weight/day) as a powder incorporated into foods or beverages at least twice per day for 12 weeks.	Other: Pea Protein; Soluble pea protein; Other Names: NUTRALYS S85
Active Comparator: Whey Protein; Participants will consume whey protein (0.35 grams protein/kg body weight/day) as a powder incorporated into foods or beverages at least twice per day for 12 weeks.	Other: Whey Protein; Whey protein concentrate; Other Names: Whey Protein Concentrate 80 Instant Kosher
Placebo Comparator: Maltodextrin; Participants will consume maltodextrin (isocaloric non-protein comparator) as a powder incorporated into foods or beverages at least twice per day for 12 weeks.	Other: Maltodextrin; Non-protein isocaloric comparator; Other Names: GLUCIDEX 19

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in muscle mass	Muscle mass will be assessed by dual x-ray absorptiometry	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in muscle function (hand grip)	A dynamometer will be used to measure hand grip strength	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in muscle function (gait test)	A gait test will be performed	Baseline and 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in fat mass	Fat mass will be measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in body weight and body mass index	Body weight will be measured and used for calculation of body mass index	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in waist and waist to height ratio	Waist circumferences will be measured and used for calculation of waist to height ratio	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in resting energy expenditure	Resting energy expenditure will be measured by metabolic cart	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in C-reactive protein	A fasting venous blood sample will be analyzed for C-reactive protein to assess inflammatory status	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in homeostatic model for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)	A fasting venous blood sample will be analyzed for insulin and glucose to calculate HOMA-IR using the formula fasting insulin x fasting glucose / 405	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in glycated hemoglobin	A fasting venous blood sample will be analyzed for glycated hemoglobin	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in blood lipid profile	A fasting venous blood sample will be analyzed for total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides as the blood lipid profile	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in kidney function (based on profile of circulating markers)	A fasting venous blood sample will be analyzed for blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine to obtain a profile of circulating markers for assessing kidney function	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in kidney function (based on profile of urinary markers)	A spot urine sample will be analyzed for urine albumin, creatinine and urea to obtain a profile of urinary markers for assessing kidney function	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in liver function (based on profile of circulating markers)	A fasting venous blood sample will be analyzed for plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase to obtain a profile of circulating markers for assessing liver function	Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure	Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured	Baseline and 12 weeks
Changes in blood vessel function	Pulse wave velocity measurements will obtained for assessment of arterial stiffness, an indicator of blood vessel function	Baseline and 12 weeks
24 h activity patterns over time	Participants will wear a Fitbit to monitor 24 hour activity patterns	Up to 12 weeks
Food intake over time	Participants will complete 3-Day Food Records at 3 week intervals for analysis of nutrient intake	Up to 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Manitoba
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Peter Zahradka, PhD, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 17, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 2, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): May 2, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 26, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 9, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): October 11, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 3, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 1, 2023
• Last Verified: August 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Body Weight; Body Weight Changes; Weight Loss
• Other Study ID Numbers: HS22196

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No