The Muscle Protein Synthetic Response of Algal and Fungal Protein (SCAM)

January 10, 2024 updated by: University of Exeter

The Muscle Protein Synthetic Response Following the Ingestion of a Single Bolus of Algal Protein When Compared to Fungal Protein in Healthy Young Adults

Dietary protein intake is vital for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and health. The production of animal-based proteins sources is associated with growing environmental and ethical challenges. As such, sustainable alternatives are needed. Algae are sustainably produced high-protein sources and it is predicted that algae will become one of the most consumed proteins in the next decades. However, the effects of algae on the stimulation of muscle mass growth are unknown. Therefore, we aim to assess the rate of digestion and absorption, and the effects on muscle growth of two types of algae (spirulina and chlorella) when compared to a sustainable non-animal derived fungal reference protein (mycoprotein), a source known to elicit a robust anabolic response.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

36

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United Kingdom
    • Devon
      • Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom, EX1 2LU
        • University of Exeter

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 40 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • BMI between 18.5 and 30
  • Recreationally active (<3 times per week structured resistance exercise training)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any metabolic impairment
  • Any cardiovascular impairment
  • High blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg)
  • A personal history of epilepsy, seizures or schizophrenia
  • Smoking
  • Chronic (>1 month) use of over the counter pharmaceuticals
  • Chronic (>2 months) use of amino acid or protein supplements
  • Allergic to Quorn/mycoprotein or algae products

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Mycoprotein
Bolus ingestion of mycoprotein providing 25g protein
Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion
Bolus ingestion of 25g protein
Experimental: Spirulina
Bolus ingestion of spirulina providing 25g protein
Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion
Bolus ingestion of 25g protein
Experimental: Chlorella
Bolus ingestion of chlorella providing 25g protein
Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion
Bolus ingestion of 25g protein

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Muscle Protein Synthesis
Time Frame: 7.5 hours
The rate of synthesis of new muscle protein (Fractional Synthetic Rate %/h)
7.5 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Plasma Amino Acid Kinetics
Time Frame: 7.5 hours
The rate of appearance of amino acid ingested in the drink
7.5 hours
Serum Insulin
Time Frame: 7.5 hours
Basal and postprandial concentrations of serum insulin
7.5 hours
Blood Glucose
Time Frame: 7.5 hours
Basal and postprandial concentrations of blood glucose
7.5 hours
mTOR phosphorylation
Time Frame: 7.5 hours
The amount of mTOR that has been activated in the muscle cell
7.5 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Exeter

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Benjamin T Wall, PhD, Professor of Nutritional Physiology

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

December 19, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 24, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

June 24, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 17, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 17, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

August 23, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 11, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 10, 2024

Last Verified

January 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 200506/B/01

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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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