RecruitingNot Applicable

Diet Synergy in Muscle Protein Synthesis

United States15 participantsStarted 2026-03-01

Plain-language summary

In the present semi-crossover randomized design, 15 recreationally active young adults (19-40 y) will receive stable isotope tracer infusions and perform a single bout of resistance exercise. Immediately after exercise, participants will ingest either 1 medium russet potato with skins and 2 ounce-equivalent lean ground beef combination (274 kcals, 19.3 g protein, 5 g fat, 37 g carbohydrates, and 4 g fiber), 2 slices of white bread and beef combination (262 kcals, 19.8 g protein, 6.8 g fat, 28 g carbohydrates, and 1.8 g fiber) or 2 ounce-equivalent beef (93% lean meat/7% fat; 110 kcals, 14.8 g protein, and 5 g fat). Repeated blood and muscle biopsies will be collected to determine whole body leucine kinetics, amino acid concentrations, anabolic signaling and myofibrillar protein synthesis rates during the trials.

Who can participate

Age range

19 Years – 40 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 19-40 yrs * Pre-menopausal * Recreationally-active * Weight stable for prior 6 months Exclusion Criteria: * Age outside of range (20 - 35 yrs) * Pregnancy * Irregular menstrual cycles (i.e., \~21 day or \~35 day cycle) * Participation in previous research using L-\[1-13C\] leucine and L-\[ring-2H5\] phenylalanine * Participation in other ongoing research that interferes with this study (e.g., conflicting diet, activity interventions, etc.)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Myofibrillar protein fractional synthesis rate

Timeframe: Baseline muscle biopsy (-150 minutes), Postabsorptive muscle biopsy (-30 minutes), and Postprandial muscle biopsy (300 minutes)

Whole body leucine kinetics

Timeframe: Breath sample collection time points: -210, -150, -90, -60, -30, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, and 300 minutes.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07367854

SponsorUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-10-31

Contact for this trial

Nicholas A Burd (Full Professor), PhD

2172440970 naburd@illinois.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Muscle Protein Synthetic Response to Protein trials