The Impact of Enteral Versus Oral Protein Feeding on Muscle Protein Synthesis in Healthy Young Males and Females

The Impact of Enteral Versus Oral Protein Feeding on Muscle Protein Synthesis in Healthy Young Males and Females

The present study will seek to quantify the muscle protein synthetic response to a protein beverage consumed orally or through a nasogastric tube in healthy, young individuals.

Thirty healthy, young volunteers will receive a stable isotope tracer infusion (8.5h) combined with repeated blood and muscle sampling, in order to measure muscle protein synthesis rate in the postabsorptive state, and following oral placebo ingestion (n=10), oral protein ingestion (n=10), or enteral protein administration (n=10).

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-40 years of age
• Body mass index between 18.5 and 30

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any diagnosed metabolic impairment (e.g. type 1 or 2 Diabetes)
• Any diagnosed cardiovascular disease
• Elevated blood pressure at the time of screening. (An average systolic blood pressure reading of ≥140 mmHg over two or more measurements and an average diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mmHg over two or more measurements)
• Chronic use of any prescribed or over the counter pharmaceuticals (that may modulate muscle protein metabolism). This excludes oral contraceptives and contraceptive devices.
• A personal or family history of epilepsy, seizures or schizophrenia.
• Presence of an ulcer in the stomach or gut and/or strong history of indigestion
• Known pre-existing liver disease/condition
• Any known disorders in muscle metabolism
• Regular use of nutritional supplements
• Allergy to lidocaine
• Allergy to milk
• Current paracetamol use (i.e. use of paracetamol more than once a week)
• Pregnancy