Beta-lactoglobulin, Immobilisation and Muscle Protein Synthesis

Effect of Beta-lactoglobulin Supplementation on the Response of Muscle Protein Synthesis During Limb Immobilisation in Healthy Young Adults

The objectives of this study are to:

1. Establish whether combined β-lactoglobulin supplementation and resistance training for 1 week prior to 5 days of limb immobilisation will attenuate the decrease in integrated free-living rates of MPS during short-term muscle disuse.
2. Establish whether combined β-lactoglobulin supplementation and resistance training for 1 week prior to limb immobilisation will attenuate the decrease in muscle mass and strength during short-term muscle disuse.

The objectives of this study are to:

1. Establish whether combined β-lactoglobulin supplementation and resistance training for 1 week prior to 5 days of limb immobilisation will attenuate the decrease in integrated free-living rates of MPS during short-term muscle disuse.
2. Establish whether combined β-lactoglobulin supplementation and resistance training for 1 week prior to limb immobilisation will attenuate the decrease in muscle mass and strength during short-term muscle disuse.

Hypotheses

1. Combining β-lactoglobulin and resistance training for 1 wk prior to 5 d of limb immobilisation will attenuate the decrease in integrated muscle protein synthesis, muscle fibre CSA, quadriceps muscle strength, and leg lean mass during muscle disuse.
2. Combining β-lactoglobulin and resistance training for 1 wk prior to 5 d of limb immobilisation will attenuate the decrease in muscle fibre CSA, quadriceps muscle strength, and leg lean mass during muscle disuse.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female
• Aged 18-45 years
• Healthy
• Physically active (≥150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week OR 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week)
• Eumenorrheic and not taking any hormonal birth control (females)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dairy allergy or intolerance
• Lower limb injury or surgery in the last 6 months,
• Lower limb osteoarthritis or other musculoskeletal disorder
• A musculoskeletal or blood blotting disorder
• An allergy to local anaesthetic
• Currently pregnant
• Current use of blood thinning medications
• Volunteers that take part in structured resistance exercise training
• Taking supplements considered to be anabolic to skeletal muscle (protein supplements, creatine, or omega-3 supplements)
• Consuming more than 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body mass per day in their habitual diet.
• Volunteers involved in other studies at the time of enrolment
• Volunteers who have taken part in a tracer study in the past 18 months
• If without an understanding of verbal or written English
• Volunteers with a history of eating disorders