Author(s): ,HERMANS, W., PAPPA, S., KUIN, L., HENDRIKS, F., VERDIJK, L., VAN LOON, L., Institution: MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY, Country: NETHERLANDS, Abstract-ID: 1012

INTRODUCTION:
It has been well-established that milk protein ingestion following resistance-type exercise stimulates muscle protein synthesis. Recently, we have shown that also mealworm–derived protein ingestion further increases muscle protein synthesis rates following a single bout of resistance-type exercise. Less work has been performed on the proposed efficacy of protein ingestion to augment muscle protein synthesis rates during recovery from endurance-type exercise. Here, we assessed the impact of ingesting mealworm-derived protein on muscle protein synthesis rates during recovery from a single bout of running exercise in healthy, young males and females.
METHODS:
In this randomized, double-blind, cross-over intervention trial with a 4±2 week washout between treatments, 10 males and 10 females (Age 23±3 y, BMI 23.3±2.4 kg/m2, VO2max 49±7 mL/kg) ingested a drink with either 0.38 g protein/kg body mass (22-35 g) lesser mealworm-derived protein (69% protein concentrate; MDP) or flavoured water (placebo; PLA) following a 40-minute treadmill run at 85±6% of maximal heart rate. Primed, continuous intravenous L-[ring-13C6]-phenylalanine infusions were combined with frequent collection of blood and muscle tissue samples to assess 0-3, 3-6, and 0-6 h post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates. The main outcome, 0-6 h post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rate, was analyzed with a paired t-test. Time-dependent variables were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with time and treatment (MDP vs PLA) as within-subjects factors, an α-level of 0.05, and appropriate post-hoc testing in case of significant interactions. Data represent means±SD; η2p and cohen’s d are reported for effect size.
RESULTS:
Ingestion of MDP strongly increased plasma total amino acid and leucine concentrations (both Time: P<0.001), with peak values being reached 30 minutes after ingestion after which they returned back to baseline, while no changes in plasma amino acid concentrations were observed in the PLA treatment (both: Time*Treatment: P<0.001; η2p=0.9). Muscle protein synthesis rates averaged 0.054±0.023 vs 0.055±0.025 %/h during the 0-3 h post-exercise recovery period, and 0.044±0.020 vs 0.049±0.018 during the 3-6 h post-exercise recovery period with MDP vs PLA, respectively, with no differences between treatments (Time*Treatment: P=0.52; η2p<0.1; Time: P=0.16; η2p=0.1; Treatment: P=0.44; η2p<0.1). Overall, muscle protein synthesis rates averaged 0.050±0.016 vs 0.052±0.017 %/h during the entire 6 h post-exercise recovery period with MDP vs PLA, respectively, with no difference between treatments (P=0.46; d=0.2).
CONCLUSION:
Ingestion of 0.38 g protein/kg body mass of a mealworm-derived protein does not increase muscle protein synthesis rates during recovery from a single bout of running exercise in healthy, young males and females.
This collaboration project was funded through the PPP Allowance made available by Health-Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health, to stimulate public-private partnerships.