Essential Amino Acid Supplementation in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients

Effects of EAA Consumption on Recovery and Rehabilitation in Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) Patients Undergoing Surgery

This will be a randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial to determine if supplementing with essential amino acids (EAAs) for two weeks prior to, and 3 months after corrective spinal surgery in adults with spinal deformity can stimulate greater muscle protein turnover and whole-body protein balance, and enhance recovery after surgery when compared to a calorie matched placebo.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and Females, 40 to 65 years old
• Diagnosed with adult spinal deformity
• Scheduled for ASD corrective procedure at UAMS (>2 weeks prior to surgery)
• Live near Little Rock and scheduled to attend physical therapy in Little Rock
• COVID-19 negative and/ or asymptomatic

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject who does not/will not eat animal protein sources.
• Diagnosed metabolic or hormonal disease (i.e., renal, cardiovascular, thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome, or type I/II diabetes mellitus).
• Currently pregnant.
• Gave birth or was lactating within previous 12 months.
• History of chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer in the 6 months prior to enrollment.
• Clinically significant weight gain or loss (>5% change) in the last 12 months.
• Consuming metabolism-altering drugs or medications (i.e., corticosteroids, stimulants, insulin).
• Diagnosis of autoimmune disease
• Currently receiving androgen (e.g., testosterone) or anabolic (e.g., GH, IGF-I) therapy.
• Diagnosis of muscular degenerative/dystrophy disease
• Unwilling to fast overnight.
• Unwilling to avoid using other protein or amino-acid supplements during participation.