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Does supplementation with leucine-enriched protein alone and in combination with fish-oil-derived n-3 PUFA affect muscle mass, strength, physical performance, and muscle protein synthesis in well-nourished older adults? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Murphy, Caoileann H. Flanagan, Ellen M. De Vito, Giuseppe Susta, Davide Mitchelson, Kathleen A. J. de Marco Castro, Elena Senden, Joan M. G. Goessens, Joy P. B. Mikłosz, Agnieszka Chabowski, Adrian
Murphy, Caoileann H.
Flanagan, Ellen M.
De Vito, Giuseppe
Susta, Davide
Mitchelson, Kathleen A. J.
de Marco Castro, Elena
Senden, Joan M. G.
Goessens, Joy P. B.
Mikłosz, Agnieszka
Chabowski, Adrian
Author
Murphy, Caoileann H.
Flanagan, Ellen M.
De Vito, Giuseppe
Susta, Davide
Mitchelson, Kathleen A. J.
de Marco Castro, Elena
Senden, Joan M. G.
Goessens, Joy P. B.
Mikłosz, Agnieszka
Chabowski, Adrian
Segurado, Ricardo
Corish, Clare A.
McCarthy, Sinead N.
Egan, Brendan
van Loon, Luc J. C.
Roche, Helen M.
Flanagan, Ellen M.
De Vito, Giuseppe
Susta, Davide
Mitchelson, Kathleen A. J.
de Marco Castro, Elena
Senden, Joan M. G.
Goessens, Joy P. B.
Mikłosz, Agnieszka
Chabowski, Adrian
Segurado, Ricardo
Corish, Clare A.
McCarthy, Sinead N.
Egan, Brendan
van Loon, Luc J. C.
Roche, Helen M.
Abstract
Background
Leucine-enriched protein (LEU-PRO) and long-chain (LC) n–3 (ω–3) PUFAs have each been proposed to improve muscle mass and function in older adults, whereas their combination may be more effective than either alone.
Objective
The impact of LEU-PRO supplementation alone and combined with LC n–3 PUFAs on appendicular lean mass, strength, physical performance and myofibrillar protein synthesis (MyoPS) was investigated in older adults at risk of sarcopenia.
Methods
This 24-wk, 3-arm parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 107 men and women aged ≥65 y with low muscle mass and/or strength. Twice daily, participants consumed a supplement containing either LEU-PRO (3 g leucine, 10 g protein; n = 38), LEU-PRO plus LC n–3 PUFAs (0.8 g EPA, 1.1 g DHA; LEU-PRO+n–3; n = 38), or an isoenergetic control (CON; n = 31). Appendicular lean mass, handgrip strength, leg strength, physical performance, and circulating metabolic and renal function markers were measured pre-, mid-, and postintervention. Integrated rates of MyoPS were assessed in a subcohort (n = 28).
Results
Neither LEU-PRO nor LEU-PRO+n–3 supplementation affected appendicular lean mass, handgrip strength, knee extension strength, physical performance or MyoPS. However, isometric knee flexion peak torque (treatment effect: −7.1 Nm; 95% CI: −12.5, −1.8 Nm; P < 0.01) was lower postsupplementation in LEU-PRO+n–3 compared with CON. Serum triacylglycerol and total adiponectin concentrations were lower, and HOMA-IR was higher, in LEU-PRO+n–3 compared with CON postsupplementation (all P < 0.05). Estimated glomerular filtration rate was higher and cystatin c was lower in LEU-PRO and LEU-PRO+n–3 postsupplementation compared with CON (all P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not observe a beneficial effect of LEU-PRO supplementation alone or combined with LC n–3 PUFA supplementation on appendicular lean mass, strength, physical performance or MyoPS in older adults at risk of sarcopenia. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03429491.
Keywords
aging, LC n–3 PUFA, leucine, protein, muscle mass, strength, sarcopenia
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Book
Volume
113
Issue
6
Page Range
1411-1427
Article Number
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Centre for Exercise and Nutrition
Faculty of Health Sciences
Centre for Exercise and Nutrition
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC 4.0
File Access
Open