Milk protein and muscle protein metabolism during immobilisation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of combining exercise and B-Lactoglobulin supplementation prior to limb immobilisation on muscle protein synthesis rates in young adults
IRAS ID
317347
Contact name
Oliver Witard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Eudract number
0000-000000-00
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
This research study will investigate the effect of a milk-based drink combined with a weight lifting protocol on muscle size and strength during 7 days in which the participant has their leg immobilised by wearing a leg brace. We will simulate the scenario of injury or surgery by placing the leg in a brace. The milk-based drink under investigation is called Beta-lactoglobulin which is rich in the amino acid called leucine. Leucine is a particularly important amino acid with regards to maintaining muscle mass. Study participants will be healthy volunteers who will drink the milk-based drink for 2 weeks before their leg is placed in a cast and for the 1 week the leg is in the cast. Spread across 2 weeks before their leg is placed in a brace, the participant will take part in 6 weightlifting sessions under the supervision of the researcher. We will measure muscle size and strength before and after the leg is immobilised in the brace. We anticipate that participants who consume the milk-based drink will hold onto more muscle mass and strength after being placed in a leg brace than the group that consume the placebo drink. This placebo drink will contain carbohydrate only and no protein. The research project will take place in the exercise physiology laboratories at King’s College London on Guy’s campus, London Bridge. The participant will visit the laboratory on 10 occasions over a 24 day period. If beneficial, the next logical step is to test the milk-based beverage in clinical (elderly, injured, hospitalised)) patients.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
23/SS/0015
Date of REC Opinion
23 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion