Ageing is characterized by a loss of muscle mass that is detrimental for physical function and metabolic health and increases the risk of mortality. The loss of muscle protein mass with ageing is characterized by a blunted muscle anabolic response to nutrition and exercise. Thus, interventions to counteract muscle anabolic blunting in old age might assist in the long-term maintenance of muscle mass.

Phosphatidic acid (hereafter defined as 'PA') is a novel nutrient compound that has been suggested to play an important role in muscle growth. Oral consumption of PA may amplify the signalling response to nutrition and exercise and restore muscle anabolic sensitivity in older adults. In order for PA to be 'clinically' applied as a means to mitigate muscle loss in aged populations, we must first understand the efficacy and mechanisms underlying the anabolic properties of this compound, which have yet to be defined in man. The proposed pilot study is needed to investigate the acute muscle metabolic properties of oral PA supplementation in older individuals.

Sixteen healthy (non-obese, non-diabetic, non-smokers) older males aged 65-75 yrs will initially complete a lower-limb strength assessment and undergo a body composition scan. Between 4-14 days after these initial assessments, participants will be assigned to co-ingest 1.5g of either phosphatidic acid (N= 8; PA) or a non-caloric placebo (N=8; PL) after following a bout of moderate intensity, single leg resistance exercise. A stable isotope infusion will be combined with serial muscle biopsies from the thigh of each leg to determine the measure rates of muscle protein synthesis in the fasted state and in the 'early' and 'late' phase of feeding-only and exercise-plus-feeding.

The investigators will recruit 16 healthy (non-obese, non-diabetic, non-smokers) elderly men aged 65-80 yrs to complete a double-blinded, parallel designed study, in which they will be randomly assigned to a phosphatidic acid (N= 8; PA) or placebo (N=8; PL) treatment group, matched closely for anthropometric characteristics. Participants will be recreationally active, but not involved in structured exercise training. All study procedures will be clearly explained and written consent obtained prior to study participation.

Preliminary assessments Following explanation of the study and the acquisition of informed consent, participants will report to our laboratory at 0800 in an overnight fasted-state and having refrained from strenuous physical activity for >24 hrs. Participants will be weighed on a digital scale to the nearest 0.1 kg in light clothing. A dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan will be conducted to determine body composition (fat and fat-free mass). Following DXA scanning, single-leg one repetition maximum strength (1RM) will be determined for knee extension and leg press exercise machines. Selection of the limb to be exercised (dominant or non-dominant) will be randomized.

Experimental trials Between 4 and 14 days after the preliminary assessments, participants will report to the laboratory at ∼0700 following an overnight fast, having refrained from strenuous physical activity for 72 hrs previously. A catheter will be inserted into a forearm vein of both arms for frequent blood sampling (∼80mL in total) and a continuous infusion of a stable isotope amino acid tracer (L- [ring] 13C6 phenylalanine). Participants will remain in a supine position throughout the trial with the exception of the exercise bout. After 150 min of steady-state tracer infusion a muscle biopsy will be obtained from the vastus lateralis quadriceps muscle of a randomly selected leg under local anesthesia (1% lidocaine) using the Bergström biopsy needle technique. Thereafter, participants will perform a bout of single-leg resistance exercise on the opposite leg. Exercise will consist of 6 sets of knee extension resistance exercise at 75% of the pre-determined 1RM; a protocol designed to elicit 8-12 repetitions per set prior to the onset of volitional fatigue. Immediately after exercise, participants will ingest 750mg of PA or a placebo (both in non-identifiable capsule form) with water and a further 750mg of PA or placebo at 60 mins post-exercise. Thereafter, participants will lie in a supine position for the remainder of the trial. An individual with no direct study involvement will administer treatments in a double-blind manner. Investigators will be un-blinded to treatment arms upon completion of data analysis. At 150 and 300 min following treatment consumption muscle biopsies will be obtained from both legs. Thus, a total of 5 invasive muscle biopsies will be obtained during the trial, which precludes the use of a crossover design in older individuals. Each biopsy will be obtained from a separate incision spaced ∼3cm apart. This model of study design will permit us determine rates of muscle protein synthesis in the postabsorptive state and over the early (0-2.5 h), late (2.5-5 h) and aggregate (0-5 h) time-course.

Data Analyses To calculate muscle protein synthesis, the investigators will adopt sophisticated mass spectrometry techniques to determine isotopic tracer enrichment in biopsy-isolated muscle proteins and plasma. Intramuscular "anabolic signals" (in the mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway, a key regulator of cell size) will be determined via Western Blot (a technique to detect the content of specific phospho-proteins). Plasma insulin concentrations will be measured by immunoassay and plasma lipid profiles by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be a non-smoking male between 65 and 80 years.
• Have a BMI between 18 and 25 kg/m2.
• Be in good general health: no cardiovascular or metabolic diseases.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Health problems such as: heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, uncontrolled hypertension, poor lung function, or any health condition that might put you at risk when participating in this study.
• Generalised neuromuscular disease (such as Parkinson's disease or motorneurone disease).
• Failure to obtain clearance for exercise participation from your GP or negative advice given by your GP concerning exercise participation.
• Involvement in regular structured resistance exercise training at the time of the study.
• Consumption of any analgesic drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, or medication that is known to affect protein metabolism (beta-blockers, corticosteroids, NSAIDs).
• Participants who have undergone muscle biopsy testing or isotope infusion procedures within the last 5 years.

An individual with no direct study involvement will administer treatments in a double-blind manner. Investigators will be un-blinded to treatment arms upon completion of data analysis.