The effect of ingesting a novel fortified plant-based protein mix on acute muscle protein synthesis in older people.

Muscles are built up out of proteins. These proteins consist of little buidling
blocks: Amino acids. Bij consuming sufficient protein in our nutrition, makes
sure our body has enough building blocks to maintain or increase our muscle
mass. Taking into consideration that de world population is growing, it will be
challenging to have suffient supply of animal-derived protein sources.
Plant-derived proteins can be produced on a more sustainable scale and can
therefore contribute to feeding the future world population. Because the
protein quality of plant-derived proteins is not optimal, these are commonly
consumed as mixtures. Adding isolated amino acids is a strategy to further
improve the protein quality.

To assess postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates in older males in
response to ingesting a blend of plant protein fortified with free leucine as
compared to (gold standard) whey protein and compared to a plant protein blend
without additional free leucine.

randomized, parallel-group, double-blind intervention trial.

20g protein as whey, plant-blend, or fortified plant-blend

The burden and risks associated with participation in this study are low.
Placing the cannulas is comaprable to a bloodprick and can in some cases lead
to a small hematoma. The muscle biopsies are taken by an experienced physician
under local anaesthesia, but in some cases can be painful upto 24h after the
biopsy. This pain is comparable to the soreness after bumping into a table.
Also, there is a risk of some additional bleeding, but this is no major health
risk. We will take in total 18 blood samples (190 mL), which is less than half
of a blood donation and this will normally recover within a month.
Participants will visit the university twice: 1 screening (2h) and 1 test day
(9h), being fasted (no food and drinks, only water) on both occasions from
22:00 pm the evening before. Besides, they will maintain their habitual
dietary- and activity pattern 3days prior to the test day, but refraining from
heavy physical activity and alcohol consumption. They will also record their
acivity pattern and food intake during the 2 days prior to the test day. On the
screening they will fill in a medical questionnaire.
The dexa scna provides valuable data about the body composition, but has a
small radiation burden. This burden is neglegible when compared to the yearly
background radiation.
During the test day blood and muscle samples will be taken and participants
will consume a drink.
There is no direct benefit for the participants, only their contribution to
scientific knowledge, which can be applied in the future. The participants will
get more insight into their body composition.