PROtein and Muscle in Older Twins: The PROMOTe Study.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
DIETARY PROTEIN AND SKELETAL MUSCLE IN OLDER TWINS: TARGETING THE GUT MICROBIOME TO OVERCOME ANABOLIC RESISTANCE
IRAS ID
257415
Contact name
Claire Steves
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's college London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
Muscle strength and mass decline with age. This can affect balance, walking, and lead to frailty. Older people need a larger amount of protein in their diet, in order to get the same muscle response as younger people. This is termed anabolic resistance and we do not understand exactly how or why this develops.
The gut microbiome is the collection of microbes such as bacteria inside our guts. It is involved in many of the suggested mechanisms for anabolic resistance. This study is designed to assess whether the gut microbiome has an effect on how the body uses the protein we get from our diet, to help us to see whether the gut microbiome plays a role in anabolic resistance.
A dietary intervention trial will be carried out to test whether targeting the gut microbiome with a prebiotic food supplement can improve muscle response to protein. Participants (from TwinsUK cohort; healthy volunteers) will be recruited, in twin pairs. Within each pair, one twin will receive a supplement that is protein + prebiotic food supplement, and the other will receive protein + placebo. These will be assigned at random. They will take these for 12 weeks. Measures of muscle strength, and blood, urine, saliva and stool samples will be taken at beginning and end of the study.
If those taking the prebiotic food supplement (gut microbiome modulator) have a greater response in muscle strength, this suggests the gut microbiome could be targeted to try to overcome anabolic resistance.
The gut microbiome is malleable and can be changed using diet and pre/pro-biotic food supplements. This holds great potential for new treatments. As the population ages, and frailty becomes more common, it is becoming ever more important to tackle age-related muscle loss, to benefit all older adults, and reduce healthcare costs.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
21/NS/0045
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion