No differences in muscle protein synthesis rates following ingestion of wheat protein, milk protein, and their protein blend in healthy, young males
Philippe J M Pinckaers
Abstract
Abstract Plant-derived proteins have been suggested to have less anabolic properties when compared with animal-derived proteins. Whether blends of plant- and animal-derived proteins can compensate for their lesser anabolic potential has not been assessed. The present study compares post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of milk protein with wheat protein or a blend of wheat plus milk protein in healthy, young males. In a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group design, 36 males (23 ( sd 3) years) received a primed continuous L-[ring- 13 C 6 ]-phenylalanine infusion after which they ingested 30 g milk protein (MILK), 30 g wheat protein (WHEAT) or a 30 g blend combining 15 g wheat plus 15 g milk protein (WHEAT+MILK). Blood and muscle biopsies were collected frequently for 5 h to assess post-prandial plasma amino acid profiles and subsequent myofibrillar protein synthesis rates. Ingestion of protein increased myofibrillar protein synthesis rates in all treatments ( P < 0·001). Post-prandial myofibrillar protein synthesis rates did not differ between MILK v . WHEAT (0·053 ( sd 0·013) v . 0·056 ( sd 0·012) %·h −1 , respectively; t test P = 0·56) or between MILK v . WHEAT+MILK (0·053 ( sd 0·013) v . 0·059 ( sd 0·025) %·h −1 , respectively; t test P = 0·46). In conclusion, ingestion of 30 g milk protein, 30 g wheat protein or a blend of 15 g wheat plus 15 g milk protein increases muscle protein synthesis rates in young males. Furthermore, muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of 30 g milk protein do not differ from rates observed after ingesting 30 g wheat protein or a blend with 15 g milk plus 15 g wheat protein in healthy, young males.