Forearm Immobilization, Metabolic Health, and Nutrition

The Impact of Dietary Branched-chain Amino Acid (BCAA) Restriction on the Development of Insulin Resistance and Anabolic Resistance During Forearm Immobilization in Healthy, Young Volunteers.

The present study will investigate the impact of dietary branched chain amino acid restriction on muscle atrophy, insulin sensitivity and muscle protein synthesis following short-term forearm immobilization

Twenty-four healthy young volunteers will undergo 2 days of forearm immobilization in combination with either a branched chain amino acid restricted diet or a control diet. Before and after immobilization, they will receive a stable isotope tracer infusion (5.5 h) combined with repeated blood and muscle sampling under insulin clamp conditions, in order to measure insulin sensitivity and muscle protein synthesis in the fasted and fed state.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females 18-40 years of age
• Body mass index between 18.5 and 30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoking
• Any diagnosed metabolic impairment (e.g. type 1 or 2 diabetes)
• Any diagnosed cardiovascular disease
• Hypertension (≥140 mmHg systolic and/or ≥90 mmHg diastolic)
• Chronic use of any prescribed or over the counter pharmaceuticals (excluding oral contraceptives and contraceptive devices)
• Regular use of nutritional supplements
• Currently involved in a structured progressive resistance training programme (>3 times per week)
• A personal or family history of thrombosis, epilepsy, seizures or schizophrenia
• Any previous motor disorders or disorders in muscle and/or lipid metabolism
• Known hypokalaemia
• Presence of an ulcer in the stomach or gut and/or strong history of indigestion
• Known severe kidney problems
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Unable to give consent