The effect of sodium acetate on energy metabolism in humans

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The effect of sodium acetate on energy metabolism in humans

• IRAS ID

  262300

• Contact name

  Edward Chambers

• Contact email

  e.chambers@imperial.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Imperial College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 8 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Ageing is associated with a loss of skeletal muscle mass and function often referred to as sarcopenia. This is accompanied by a change in the gut microbiota, suggesting a possible link between the gut microbiota and skeletal muscle. An important feature of the gut microbiota is its capacity to produce bioactive metabolites from ingested foods, such as short-chain fatty acids. These metabolites can enter the bloodstream and have the potential to influence peripheral tissue metabolism, including skeletal muscle. There is evidence to suggest that an individual’s ability to produce short-chain fatty acids diminishes as they age, and therefore may play a role in age-induced loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Acetate is the most abundant short-chain fatty acid in the circulation and is a key energy source for skeletal muscle. However, the effect of acetate supplementation on skeletal muscle metabolism in humans remains largely unknown.

  Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the influence of acute oral supplementation with sodium acetate on markers of protein metabolism in both young and elderly individuals, and during the postprandial and postabsorptive state.

  Healthy volunteers will be asked to complete two experimental visits:
  1. Sodium acetate ingestion
  2. Sodium chloride ingestion

  Blood samples and subjective appetite responses would be collected at regular intervals throughout the 6 hour experimental visits. A mixed meal tolerance test will be given halfway through each study visit to look at postprandial effects. Urine and stool samples will also be collected.

• REC name

  London - South East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  19/LO/1470

• Date of REC Opinion

  24 Oct 2019

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion