Sarcopenia, dynapenia, and the impact of advancing age on human skeletal muscle size and strength; a quantitative review.
W Kyle Mitchell, John Williams, Philip Atherton...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22934016Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 65Years - 75Years
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
ID06567665
Leucine Supplementation Strategies to Enhance Muscle Anabolic Responses in Older Age
Led by University of Nottingham · Updated on 2026-05-04
10
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Sarcopenia is the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging, leading to increased frailty and health problems. This trial investigates how leucine, an essential amino acid known to boost muscle protein synthesis, can help older men improve muscle mass when taken at different times around meals. Researchers aim to find the best timing for leucine intake after exercise to maximize muscle growth in men aged 65 to 75 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to take leucine supplements either between meals—between breakfast and lunch, lunch and dinner, and dinner and supper—or with meals, specifically with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The study compares these two supplementation schedules over a 7-day period to assess muscle protein synthesis and related muscle signaling pathways. During the study, participants' muscle protein synthesis will be measured to evaluate the response to leucine feeding. Researchers will also examine muscle anabolic and catabolic signaling. The study involves regular monitoring over 7 days, and participants must meet specific health criteria to join. The research is led by the University of Nottingham and includes men who are not engaged in regular resistance exercise and meet strict health and lifestyle requirements.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Leucine Supplementation Strategies to Enhance Muscle Anabolic Responses in Older Age
Who Can Participate
Age: 65Years - 75Years
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male, 65 to 75 years of age
- BMI between 18 and 28 kg/m2
- Non-smoker
- Not performing regular resistance type exercise
- Willing and able to give informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- BMI less than 18 or greater than 28 kg/m2
- Active cardiovascular disease such as uncontrolled hypertension (BP > 160/100), angina, heart failure (class III/IV), arrhythmia, right to left cardiac shunt, or recent cardiac event
- Cerebrovascular disease including previous stroke or large vessel/intracranial aneurysm
- Respiratory diseases including pulmonary hypertension or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Metabolic diseases such as hyper/hypoparathyroidism, untreated hyper/hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, diabetes type 1 or 2, or inborn errors of metabolism
- Active inflammatory bowel disease
- Acute infection
- Acute or chronic renal disease
- Malignancy or history of malignancy within 5 years
- Recent steroid treatment within 6 months or hormone replacement therapy
- Coagulopathy
- Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders
- Known allergies to any product ingredients
- Participation in other research with invasive procedures or inconvenience allowance within the last 3 months
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - 7 days
Participants take leucine supplements either between meals or with meals to study muscle anabolic responses.
Daily supplementation with assessment visits
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Nottingham
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, NG7 2UH
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
J
Joanne Mallinson, PhD
M
Matthew Brook, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Muscle protein synthesis in response to nutrition and exercise.
P J Atherton, K Smith
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22289911Effects of leucine-enriched essential amino acid and whey protein bolus dosing upon skeletal muscle protein synthesis at rest and after exercise in older women.
Daniel J Wilkinson, Syed S I Bukhari, Bethan E Phillips...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29031484A high proportion of leucine is required for optimal stimulation of the rate of muscle protein synthesis by essential amino acids in the elderly.
Christos S Katsanos, Hisamine Kobayashi, Melinda Sheffield-Moore...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16507602Synchronous deficits in cumulative muscle protein synthesis and ribosomal biogenesis underlie age-related anabolic resistance to exercise in humans.
Matthew S Brook, Daniel J Wilkinson, William K Mitchell...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27654940