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AzTrials

Muscle MetabolismSCAMNCT05016557

The Muscle Protein Synthetic Response of Algal and Fungal Protein

A study testing Protein ingestion in people with Muscle Metabolism, run by University of Exeter at 1 site in United Kingdom.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

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. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Muscle Metabolism
What is being tested?
Protein ingestion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
36 participants
Where
1 siteUnited Kingdom
Study dates
19 Dec 2020to 24 Jun 2022
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

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

Who cannot join

  • 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

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United Kingdom1 site
  • University of Exeter

    Exeter, Devon, EX1 2LU

Other trials in United Kingdom

About this study

Official title: 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.

Being tested
Protein ingestion
Keywords
Amino Acids, Protein metabolism, Resistance exercise, Muscle protein synthesis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Protein ingestionDietary supplement

    Bolus ingestion of 25g protein

Study groups in NCT05016557
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
MycoproteinExperimentalBolus ingestion of mycoprotein providing 25g protein
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Protein ingestion
SpirulinaExperimentalBolus ingestion of spirulina providing 25g protein
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Protein ingestion
ChlorellaExperimentalBolus ingestion of chlorella providing 25g protein
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Protein ingestion

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Muscle Protein Synthesis

    The rate of synthesis of new muscle protein (Fractional Synthetic Rate %/h)

    Measured: 7.5 hours

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Plasma Amino Acid Kinetics

    The rate of appearance of amino acid ingested in the drink

    Measured: 7.5 hours

  2. Serum Insulin

    Basal and postprandial concentrations of serum insulin

    Measured: 7.5 hours

  3. Blood Glucose

    Basal and postprandial concentrations of blood glucose

    Measured: 7.5 hours

  4. mTOR phosphorylation

    The amount of mTOR that has been activated in the muscle cell

    Measured: 7.5 hours

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted23 Aug 2021
  2. Study start19 Dec 2020
  3. Primary completion24 Jun 2022
  4. Study completion24 Jun 2022

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
36 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05016557
Sponsor's protocol ID
200506/B/01
Acronym
SCAM
Status last verified
Jan 2024
First submitted
17 Aug 2021
Last updated
11 Jan 2024
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Protein ingestion in people with Muscle Metabolism, run by University of Exeter at 1 site in United Kingdom.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Jan 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Muscle Protein Synthesis (time frame: 7.5 hours). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Jan 2024.

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