Prandial Metabolic Phenotyping in Sarcopenic Older Adults Comparing Plant Based and Whey Based Protein

Overview

The researchers overall objective is to determine whether plant and animal protein based proteins affect the anabolic responses across aging populations differently due to specific changes in the essential amino acids (EAA) and non-essential amino acids (NEAA) kinetic responses. The researchers central hypothesis is that a high EAA to NEAA ratio in a protein meal is related to higher anabolic response to the meal. The researchers also hypothesize that the type of NEAA in a protein meal also affects the anabolic capacity of the meal. The researchers rationale is that finding the amino acid composition of a meal that will maximally induce protein anabolism will guide novel nutritional approaches to prevent and treat sarcopenia, thereby reducing both overall economic burden and improving individual patient outcomes.

Detailed description

The study will be conducted in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic older adults, stratified into different age categories. A sip feeding model will be used as it is a good model to establish the anabolic capacity of meals. The researchers hypothesize that plant-based protein induces less protein anabolism, due to lower production of EAA and higher production of non-essential amino acids (NEAA) as compared to dairy protein. The NEAA kinetics will be different between the plant proteins as soy protein has relatively high levels of the NEAA arginine and Pea protein of aspartate/glutamate. The researchers results will guide future nutritional advice on replacing daily protein with plant-based proteins while keeping the overall effects on metabolism comparable for both the EAA and NEAA. The study will take place at the research facility of the Center for Translational Research on Aging and Longevity (CTRAL), Texas A\&M University located in the Human Clinical Research Building ) affiliated with Texas A\&M University. The study involves 1 screening visit of approx. 3 hours, and 4 study days. Some study procedures (e.g., body composition, skeletal muscle function, questionnaires) may be skipped if completed within the past 3 months at CTRAL. All data will be recorded in Case Report Form and stored in the Texas A\&M REDCap System. Subjects will be asked to arrive in the fasted state on all study days. Fasting prior to screening is not required. On the screening day, body weight, height, and body composition by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) will be measured. In addition, The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and skeletal muscle function tests will be assessed at the end of each screening visit. Each study visit will begin with vital signs. Before administration of the feeding or the tracer solution, baseline blood will be collected for measurement of the natural enrichment of metabolites. After the baseline sample is collected, feeding will begin and will be followed by tracers of several compounds that may be administered by IV pulse. Participants will receive the liquid nutritional supplement as sip feeds every 20 minutes for 5 hours. The liquid nutrition supplements will contain the following proteins: (1) 45g of whey protein (dairy based), (2) 45g of soy protein (plant based), (3) 45g of pea protein (plant based), or (4) Placebo (water). Participants will have the option of adding sugar free (SF) vanilla syrup, SF caramel syrup, or SF chocolate syrup to their meals.

Interventions

• Dietary supplement Whey Protein Isolate 90%
  Commercially available animal based protein powders
• Dietary supplement Soy Protein Isolate (90% Protein)
  Commercially available plant based protein powders
• Dietary supplement Organic Pea Protein Isolate
  Commercially available plant based protein powders
• Dietary supplement Placebo (Water)
  Normal drinking water

Primary outcome measures

• Protein and amino acid synthesis capacity of plant-based and animal-based protein in older adults with or without sarcopenia measured by the use of stable isotope tracers [Time frame: 4 weeks]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Age 50-95 years old
• Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); COPD group only
• Stable body-weight (±5%) for the past 3 months
• Ability to walk, sit down, and stand up (independently or with walking assistance device)
• Willingness to lay supine in bed for up to 6 hours
• Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol

Exclusion criteria

• Established diagnosis and active treatment of chronic disease: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, active malignancy, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, HIV/AIDS, Asthma (moderate to severe), Hep (A,B, or C)
• History of untreated metabolic disease including hepatic or renal disorder
• Presence of acute illness or metabolically unstable chronic illness
• Hysterectomy
• Active dependence of alcohol or drugs
• Use of short course of oral corticosteroids within 4 weeks preceding study day
• Current use of long-term oral corticosteroids
• Use of protein or amino acids containing nutritional supplements within 5 days of the first study day
• Presence of fever within the last 3 days
• Planned elective surgery requiring 2 or more days of hospitalization during the entire study
• (Possible) pregnancy
• Failure to give informed consent or Investigator's uncertainty about the willingness or ability of the subject
• Already enrolled in another clinical trial
• Any condition according to the PI or nurse that was found during the screening visit, that would interfere with the study or safety of the patient
• Known allergy to any of the components of the feeding (soy, pea, or whey - dairy)
• Established daily diet of vegetarian / vegan composition
• <23 MoCa score

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Crossover

Masking

Single blind

Primary purpose

Other

Study locations

United States · 1 center

• Texas A&M University - CTRAL — College Station

Publications

• Huttl VN, Deutz N, Wierzchowska-McNew RA, Ruebush LE, Engelen M. Whole-body and intracellular arginine metabolism in hypertension: role of disease severity and sex. Am J Hypertens. 2026 May 18:hpag047. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpag047. Online ahead of print. PMID 42149813

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06628349 · 94- Plant Protein Sips

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗