Abstract
ABSTRACTBackgroundInsects have recently been identified as a more sustainable protein-dense food source and may represent a viable alternative to conventional animal-derived proteins.ObjectivesWe aimed to compare the impacts of ingesting lesser mealworm– and milk-derived protein on protein digestion and amino acid absorption kinetics, postprandial skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates, and the incorporation of dietary protein–derived amino acids into de novo muscle protein at rest and during recovery from exercise in vivo in humans.MethodsIn this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 24 healthy, young men ingested 30 g specifically produced, intrinsically l-[1-13C]-phenylalanine and l-[1-13C]-leucine labeled lesser mealworm– or milk-derived protein after a unilateral bout of resistance-type exercise. Primed continuous l-[ring-2H5]-phenylalanine, l-[ring-3,5-2H2]-tyrosine, and l-[1-13C]-leucine infusions were applied, with frequent collection of blood and muscle tissue samples.ResultsA total of 73% ± 7% and 77% ± 7% of the lesser mealworm and milk protein–derived phenylalanine was released into the circulation during the 5 h postprandial period, respectively, with no significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). Muscle protein synthesis rates increased after both lesser mealworm and milk protein concentrate ingestion from 0.025 ± 0.008%/h to 0.045 ± 0.017%/h and 0.028 ± 0.010%/h to 0.056 ± 0.012%/h at rest and from 0.025 ± 0.012%/h to 0.059 ± 0.015%/h and 0.026 ± 0.009%/h to 0.073 ± 0.020%/h after exercise, respectively (all P < 0.05), with no differences between groups (both P > 0.05). Incorporation of mealworm and milk protein-derived l-[1-13C]-phenylalanine into de novo muscle protein was greater after exercise than at rest (P < 0.05), with no differences between groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsIngestion of a meal-like amount of lesser mealworm–derived protein is followed by rapid protein digestion and amino acid absorption and increases muscle protein synthesis rates both at rest and during recovery from exercise. The postprandial protein handling of lesser mealworm does not differ from ingesting an equivalent amount of milk protein concentrate in vivo in humans.This trial was registered at www.trialregister.nl as NL6897.
Highlights
It has been well established that ingestion of protein increases muscle protein synthesis rates [1]
Plasma insulin concentrations increased after protein ingestion in both groups and returned back to baseline values within 5 h
Plasma leucine (Figure 1A), phenylalanine (Figure 1B), and tyrosine (Figure 1C) concentrations increased after milk protein (MILK) and 30 g lesser mealworm–derived protein (WORM) protein ingestion (Time: P < 0.001)
Summary
It has been well established that ingestion of protein increases muscle protein synthesis rates [1]. Objectives: We aimed to compare the impacts of ingesting lesser mealworm– and milk-derived protein on protein digestion and amino acid absorption kinetics, postprandial skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates, and the incorporation of dietary protein–derived amino acids into de novo muscle protein at rest and during recovery from exercise in vivo in humans. Muscle protein synthesis rates increased after both lesser mealworm and milk protein concentrate ingestion from 0.025 ± 0.008%/h to 0.045 ± 0.017%/h and 0.028 ± 0.010%/h to 0.056 ± 0.012%/h at rest and from 0.025 ± 0.012%/h to 0.059 ± 0.015%/h and 0.026 ± 0.009%/h to 0.073 ± 0.020%/h after exercise, respectively (all P < 0.05), with no differences between groups (both P > 0.05). Conclusions: Ingestion of a meal-like amount of lesser mealworm– derived protein is followed by rapid protein digestion and amino acid absorption and increases muscle protein synthesis rates both at rest and during recovery from exercise.
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