Perspective of different forms of essential amino acid supplements and effects on appetite in older men and women

ISRCTN ISRCTN12977929
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12977929
Secondary identifying numbers 1
Submission date
23/06/2016
Registration date
01/07/2016
Last edited
17/12/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
The purpose of the study is to understand the preferences of elderly people when taking nutritional supplements rich in essential amino acids in different forms, and to see how these supplements affect their appetite. Through finding this out the researchers hope to ensure beneficial supplements can be designed in a form people will like. The study involves two experiments to investigate the effects of these supplements on appetite measures in the form of a nutritional Bar and Gel.

Who can participate?
Healthy volunteers aged between 60-80 years old.

What does the study involve?
There are two arms to the study. Each participant can choose whether to take part in both arms or just one. If they choose to take part in one arm, they can also decide which arm they wish to take part in. For arm 1, each participant attends the trial participating centre on three separate days. On each day, they take one of three tests. They do all three tests, on separate days, in a random order. The first test involves eating a nutritional bar rich in essential amino acids and then resting an hour before eating a breakfast of porridge. The second test involves eating a nutritional gel rich in essential amino acids and testing an hour before eating a breakfast of porridge. The third test involves not taking any nutritional supplements and just eating the porridge. All participants give blood samples throughout the tests and are asked to fill in questionnaires in the hour between eating the supplements and having breakfast. For arm 2, the participants again attend three sessions in a random order and eat nutritional supplements and/or breakfast as before. However, this time, those participants taking the supplements eat the breakfast at the same time, rather than waiting an hour and no blood samples are taken.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
It is unlikely that participants will experience any long-term physiological benefits from taking part in this study. Blood samples will be taken by trained researchers using aseptic techniques and in accordance with local and national guidelines to minimise any risks.. Blood sample preparation will be separated from the testing area and participants to prevent cross-contamination and reduce the potential of any accidents. Deterioration of kidney function as result of eating a lot of protein can happen over a number of years, however only if the person already has kidney problems.. Due to the acute nature of the supplementation in this study even if a person is suffering from kidney problems the risk of making it worse by taking part in this study is very small.

Where is the study run from?
Leeds Beckett University (Carnegie Research Institute) and Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) has been secured for this study.

When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2015 to March 2016

Who is funding the study?
1. Leeds Beckett University
2. Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Theocharis Ispoglou
T.Ispoglou@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Theocharis Ispoglou
Scientific

Leeds Beckett University
Room 211 Fairfax Hall
Headingley Campus
Leeds
LS6 3QS
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)113 812 8603
Email t.ispoglou@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Study information

Study designRandomised, crossover trial design
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised cross over trial
Study setting(s)Home
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet ISRCTN12977929_PIS_30Jun16.docx
Scientific titleThe impact of essential amino acid supplements enriched with L-leucine on appetite and energy intake in elderly: a randomised, crossover trial
Study objectivesIt is expected that essential amino acid based nutritional supplements enriched with L-leucine will not compromise appetite and energy intake in healthy elderly people.
Ethics approval(s)Leeds Beckett Local Research Ethics Committee, 18/02/2015
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedNutritional supplements
InterventionThere are two arms to the study. Each participant can choose whether to take part in both arms or just one. If they choose to take part in one arm, they can also decide which arm they wish to take part in.

Arm 1:
Each participant attends the trial participating centre on three separate days. on each day, they take one of three tests. They do all three tests, on separate days, in a random order. These tests are:
1. Consuming an essential amino acids based nutritional bar enriched with L-leucine: oral administration of a 37.5 g nutrition bar (134.5 kcal) containing 7.5 g of essential amino acids (40% L-Leucine)
2. Consuming an essential amino acids based nutritional gel enriched with L-leucine: oral administration of a 50 ml nutrition gel (113.9 kcal) containing 7.5 g of essential amino acids (40% L-Leucine)
3. No consumption of an essential amino acids based supplement

All participants then wait for an hour before consuming an ad-lib breakfast (standardised breakfast of porridge). During this hour, they are asked to complete questionnaires on hunger and opinion of the supplement consumed (if any).

At the start of each of the three sessions, a phlebotomist inserts a cannulla into a vein of each participant. Blood samples are taken at a number of occasions throughout the testing session for later hormonal response analysis.

Arm 2:
This arm of the study is very similar to arm 1. There are again three tests that all participants take part in over three days in a random order. These tests are almost identical to those of arm 1. However, this time the ad lib breakfast is eaten at the same time as the amino acid supplements are consumed (if any). Participants are also not required to give any blood samples.
Intervention typeSupplement
Primary outcome measureArm 1:
1. Composite appetite ratings using visual analogue scales, taken at baseline immediately post-consumption and every 15 min until post consumption of the ad lib breakfast
2. Energy intake, measured via the quantity of breakfast consumed

Arm 2:
Composite appetite ratings using visual analogue scales before and after the ad lib breakfast
Secondary outcome measuresArm 1:
1. Gut hormone concentrations from blood samples, via plate reader and ELISA. Measurements to be taken at baseline immediately post-consumption and every 30 min until the ad lib breakfast
2. Plasma concentration of essential amino acids from blood samples, via gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Measurements to be taken at baseline immediately post-consumption and every 30 min until the ad lib breakfast
3. Palatability, measured using visual analogue scales. Measurements to be taken at baseline immediately post-consumption and every 15 min until post consumption of the ad lib breakfast

Arm 2:
Palatability, measured using visual analogue scales before and after the ad lib breakfast
Overall study start date01/01/2015
Completion date01/03/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupSenior
SexBoth
Target number of participants10
Total final enrolment11
Key inclusion criteria1. Male and female adults aged between 60 and 80
2. Free from vascular and metabolic disease
Key exclusion criteria1. Smoking
2. Use of oestrogens within the previous three months
3. Lactose intolerant
Date of first enrolment01/07/2015
Date of final enrolment01/10/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Carnegie Faculty, Leeds Beckett University
Room 211 Fairfax Hall
Headingley Campus
Leeds
LS6 3QS
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Leeds Beckett University
University/education

510 The Rose Bowl
Portland Crescent
Leeds
LS1 3HB
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0) 113 81 29120
Email Andrew.Slade@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02xsh5r57

Funders

Funder type

Research council

Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF)

No information available

Leeds Beckett University
Private sector organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
Leeds Beckett
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date30/11/2016
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination plan1. Preliminary results ESPEN September 2016
2. Publication November 2016 (One article on females, and a case study article on men)
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet 30/06/2016 13/07/2016 No Yes
Results article results 28/11/2017 17/12/2019 Yes No

Additional files

ISRCTN12977929_PIS_30Jun16.docx
- uploaded 13/07/2016)

Editorial Notes

17/12/2019: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
13/07/2016: Added participant information sheet