Ingestion of Wheat Protein Increases In Vivo Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates in Healthy Older Men in a Randomized Trial

J Nutr. 2016 Sep;146(9):1651-9. doi: 10.3945/jn.116.231340. Epub 2016 Jul 20.

Abstract

Background: Muscle mass maintenance is largely regulated by basal muscle protein synthesis and the capacity to stimulate muscle protein synthesis after food intake. The postprandial muscle protein synthetic response is modulated by the amount, source, and type of protein consumed. It has been suggested that plant-based proteins are less potent in stimulating postprandial muscle protein synthesis than animal-derived proteins. However, few data support this contention.

Objective: We aimed to assess postprandial plasma amino acid concentrations and muscle protein synthesis rates after the ingestion of a substantial 35-g bolus of wheat protein hydrolysate compared with casein and whey protein.

Methods: Sixty healthy older men [mean ± SEM age: 71 ± 1 y; body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 25.3 ± 0.3] received a primed continuous infusion of l-[ring-(13)C6]-phenylalanine and ingested 35 g wheat protein (n = 12), 35 g wheat protein hydrolysate (WPH-35; n = 12), 35 g micellar casein (MCas-35; n = 12), 35 g whey protein (Whey-35; n = 12), or 60 g wheat protein hydrolysate (WPH-60; n = 12). Plasma and muscle samples were collected at regular intervals.

Results: The postprandial increase in plasma essential amino acid concentrations was greater after ingesting Whey-35 (2.23 ± 0.07 mM) than after MCas-35 (1.53 ± 0.08 mM) and WPH-35 (1.50 ± 0.04 mM) (P < 0.01). Myofibrillar protein synthesis rates increased after ingesting MCas-35 (P < 0.01) and were higher after ingesting MCas-35 (0.050% ± 0.005%/h) than after WPH-35 (0.032% ± 0.004%/h) (P = 0.03). The postprandial increase in plasma leucine concentrations was greater after ingesting Whey-35 than after WPH-60 (peak value: 580 ± 18 compared with 378 ± 10 μM, respectively; P < 0.01), despite similar leucine contents (4.4 g leucine). Nevertheless, the ingestion of WPH-60 increased myofibrillar protein synthesis rates above basal rates (0.049% ± 0.007%/h; P = 0.02).

Conclusions: The myofibrillar protein synthetic response to the ingestion of 35 g casein is greater than after an equal amount of wheat protein. Ingesting a larger amount of wheat protein (i.e., 60 g) substantially increases myofibrillar protein synthesis rates in healthy older men. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01952639.

Keywords: leucine; muscle protein synthesis; plant; wheat; whey.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amino Acids, Essential / blood
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Caseins / administration & dosage
  • Diet
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Exercise
  • Humans
  • Leucine / blood
  • Male
  • Muscle Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Myofibrils / metabolism
  • Phenylalanine / administration & dosage
  • Plant Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Postprandial Period
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protein Hydrolysates / administration & dosage
  • Triticum / chemistry*
  • Whey Proteins / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Essential
  • Blood Glucose
  • Caseins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Protein Hydrolysates
  • Whey Proteins
  • Phenylalanine
  • Leucine

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01952639