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Pre DiabetesWhey2GloNCT03785951

Impact of Whey and Leucine on Glycaemia in Adults Without Diabetes

A study testing Whey Protein Isolate, Wheat Protein and Wheat Protein with Leucine in people with Pre Diabetes, run by University of Reading at 1 site in United Kingdom.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

Higher than average blood sugar (glucose) levels are linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. As such, there is interest in identifying dietary factors that could lower blood glucose to help reduce the number of people with this disease. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Pre Diabetes
What is being tested?
Whey Protein Isolate, Wheat Protein and Wheat Protein with Leucine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteUnited Kingdom
Study dates
Dec 2018to Dec 2020
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • BMI 20-35 kg/m2
  • HbA1c (5.7 - 6.5%) or (38.8 - 47.5 mmol/mol)
  • Fasting glucose 5.5-6.9 mmol/l
  • Fasting total cholesterol <7.5mmol/l
  • Fasting triacylglycerol <4.0 mmol/l
  • Not having a milk, gluten or wheat allergy or lactose intolerability
Show all 16Show fewer
  • Not having diabetes (HbA1c < 47 mmol/mol) or < 6.5%
  • Not suffering from cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, endocrine or liver disease
  • Not having hypertension
  • Not diagnosed with cancer
  • Not having surgery in the previous 6 months
  • Not consuming more than the recommended intake of alcohol (>14 unit/wk)
  • Not being a blood donor 3 months prior to or during the study.
  • Not taking extra protein powder supplements in the previous 2 months
  • Not anaemic (Haemoglobin ≥115 g/l for women and ≥ 130 g/l for men)
  • Not taking medication for raised blood lipids, high blood pressure or for inflammatory conditions.

Who cannot join

  • Females who are breast-feeding, may be pregnant, or if of child-bearing potential and are not using effective contraceptive precautions

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United Kingdom1 site
  • Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading

    Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AP

    Julie Lovegrove, Professor, 0044(0)1183786418, j.a.lovegrove@reading.ac.uk

    Drew Price, Masters, a.j.price@pgr.reading.ac.uk

Other trials in United Kingdom

About this study

Official title: Impact of Whey and Leucine on Glycaemia in Adults Without Diabetes But With Moderately Raised HbA1c

Higher than average blood sugar (glucose) levels are linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. As such, there is interest in identifying dietary factors that could lower blood glucose to help reduce the number of people with this disease. Findings from some human studies indicate that dairy products, especially a milk protein (whey), may help the control of blood glucose levels. However, there is a need for further studies to confirm these findings in individuals without diabetes but with higher than average blood glucose levels.

Read the detailed description

In the UK, more than 700 people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes each day. Higher than average (raised) fasting blood sugar (glucose) is a characteristic of those at risk of developing this disease and as a result there is significant interest in dietary factors that could reduce levels of blood glucose, lowering the frequency of type 2 diabetes in the population. Existing scientific evidence suggests an important role of dairy products and especially of whey protein in the control of blood glucose levels. However, there is a need for further studies to confirm these findings in individuals without diabetes but with higher than average blood glucose levels.

Milk contains high quality proteins, of which 80% are caseins and 20% are whey proteins. Whey proteins are a rich source of branched-chain amino acids (such as leucine) which are thought to play an important role in regulating blood glucose control and other aspects of cardiovascular disease development in both healthy and type 2 diabetic subjects. However, very few studies in non-diabetic subjects with moderately raised HbA1c, characteristic of long-term poor glucose control, have been performed to investigate how whey protein affects blood glucose levels in the body especially when consumed over the longer term in the daily diet. Furthermore, data are limited on whether the leucine content of protein plays an important role in controlling blood glucose levels.

Study aims The main aims of this study is to investigate in adults without diabetes but with moderately raised HbA1c (a long- term marker of blood glucose control) whether a protein obtained from milk and dairy products (whey) has a beneficial effect on fasting and day-long blood glucose and insulin levels compared with a plant based protein (such as wheat). The researchers will also determine if leucine, a particular amino acid (building blocks of protein) found in higher levels in whey protein plays an important role in controlling blood glucose levels.

A secondary aim will determine whether the protein interventions influence risk markers for developing heart disease and diabetes including the level of blood lipids, hormones regulating blood sugar levels and blood vessel health.

This study will test the hypothesis that the incorporation of whey protein (total protein dose 50 g/d) in the habitual diet for 8 weeks will result in an improvement in fasting and day-long blood glucose and insulin levels, and other risk markers of heart disease and diabetes compared with wheat protein (total protein dose 50 g/d), and that the addition of leucine to wheat (to match the content found in whey protein) will improve blood glucose control.

Study design This study will be a long term, double-blind, randomised, controlled, three-way, cross-over study, in which the participants will receive the protein supplements (in random order) for 8 weeks each, with a 4 week wash-out period between the different protein treatments. At the beginning and end of each protein intervention, a fasting blood sample will be collected to determine the longer term effects of the assigned protein supplement on fasting glycaemic control, insulin sensitivity, endothelial function and other cardio-metabolic risk markers, as well as non-invasive measures of blood vessel health. At the beginning of each intervention period, a subset of participants will also undergo a day-long test meal investigation to determine the short-term (postprandial) effects of the protein interventions on the study outcome measures in response to standard sequential test meals containing the assigned protein interventions.

Conditions
Pre Diabetes
Being tested
Whey Protein Isolate, Wheat Protein, Wheat Protein with Leucine
Keywords
HbA1c, whey, postprandial glycaemia, cardiometabolic, vascular, leucine, branched chain amino acids (BCAA), glucose control, Milk protein
Medical subject headings
Glucose Intolerance

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Whey Protein IsolateDietary supplement

    Whey protein product isolated from whole milk. 79% Protein with minimal carbohydrate and fat.

    50 grams of total supplemental protein/amino acids from whey protein powder consumed in two 25g (total protein/amino acids) nutrition shakes twice per day for 8 weeks in the form of a nutritional shake.

  • Wheat ProteinDietary supplement

    Enzymatically hydrolysed wheat protein containing wheat peptides. 75% Protein with minimal carbohydrate and fat.

    50 grams of total supplemental protein/amino acids from whet protein peptide powder consumed in two 25g (total protein/amino acids) nutrition shakes twice per day for 8 weeks in the form of a nutritional shake.

  • Wheat Protein with LeucineDietary supplement

    Enzymatically hydrolysed wheat protein containing wheat peptides with and additional 1.4g of L-leucine. 75% Protein with minimal carbohydrate and fat and a L-leucine concentration equal to whey protein isolate.

    50 grams of total supplemental protein/amino acids from wheat protein peptide powder, with added leucine to equal the total content of the whey protein condition, consumed in two 25g (total protein/amino acids) nutrition shakes twice per day for 8 weeks.

Study groups in NCT03785951
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Whey Protein IsolateExperimentalSubjects are asked to supplement their habitual diet with 56 g of whey protein isolate a day for 8 weeks
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein Isolate; Dietary Supplement: Wheat Protein; Dietary Supplement: Wheat Protein with Leucine
Wheat ProteinExperimentalSubjects are asked to supplement their habitual diet with 56 g of wheat protein a day for 8 weeks
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein Isolate; Dietary Supplement: Wheat Protein; Dietary Supplement: Wheat Protein with Leucine
Wheat protein with leucineExperimentalSubjects are asked to supplement their habitual diet with 56 g of wheat protein with leucine a day for 8 weeks
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein Isolate; Dietary Supplement: Wheat Protein; Dietary Supplement: Wheat Protein with Leucine

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in fasting and day long glucose levels

    Blood glucose levels will be measured using a clinical chemistry analyser

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention.

  2. Change in fasting and day long insulin levels

    Blood insulin levels will be measured using ELISA

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention.

Secondary outcomes (15)
  1. Change in vascular reactivity measured by Laser Doppler Imaging with iontophoresis

    Fasting and day long measurement of vascular reactivity in the microcirculation.

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention.

  2. Change in the total and HDL-cholesterol

    Fasting total cholesterol and HDL-C will be measured using a clinical chemistry analyser. LDL-C will be calculated using the Friedewald formula

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  3. Change in fructosamine

    Fructosamine will be measured using a clinical chemistry analyser

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  4. Change in C-reactive protein

    C-reactive protein

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  5. Change in pulse wave analysis

    Pulse wave analysis will be measured using the Mobil-O-Graph device

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  6. Change in blood pressure

    Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  7. Change in cellular adhesion molecule

    VCAM and ICAM will be measured by Luminex, ICAM, P-selectin and E-selectin

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  8. Change in selectins

    P-selectin and E-selectin will be measured using Luminex

    Measured: Before the start of the intervention

  9. Change in beta-hydroxy butyrate

    Beta-hydroxy butyrate will be measured using a clinical chemistry analyser as a marker of ketone bodies

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  10. Change in insulin sensitivity

    Glucose and insulin levels will be used to estimate insulin sensitivity using the Homeostatic model assessment calculation

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  11. Change in non-esterified fatty acids

    Non-esterified fatty acids will be measured using a clinical chemistry analyser

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  12. Measurement of height

    Height will be measured using a stadiometer

    Measured: Before the start of the intervention

  13. Change in body weight

    Body weight will be measured using the Tanita scale

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  14. Change in body mass index

    Body mass index will be calculated from body weight and height measurement

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

  15. Change in body composition

    Body composition will be measured using bioelectrical impedance.

    Measured: Before and after each 8 week intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Dec 2018
  2. Study startDec 2018 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionJul 2020 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2020 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
Double-blind, randomised, controlled, 3-way, cross-over study
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
40 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03785951
Sponsor's protocol ID
17/56
Acronym
Whey2Glo
Status last verified
Dec 2018
First submitted
14 Dec 2018
Last updated
24 Dec 2018
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Pal S, Ellis V, Dhaliwal S. Effects of whey protein isolate on body composition, lipids, insulin and glucose in overweight and obese individuals. Br J Nutr. 2010 Sep;104(5):716-23. doi: 10.1017/S0007114510000991. Epub 2010 Apr 9.

    PubMed 20377924
  • Nilsson M, Stenberg M, Frid AH, Holst JJ, Bjorck IM. Glycemia and insulinemia in healthy subjects after lactose-equivalent meals of milk and other food proteins: the role of plasma amino acids and incretins. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Nov;80(5):1246-53. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/80.5.1246.

    PubMed 15531672

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Whey Protein Isolate, Wheat Protein and Wheat Protein with Leucine in people with Pre Diabetes, run by University of Reading at 1 site in United Kingdom.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 16 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Dec 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Julie Lovegrove, Professor (0044(0)1183786418 ext. 6418, j.a.lovegrove@reading.ac.uk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in fasting and day long glucose levels (time frame: Before and after each 8 week intervention.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03785951, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Dec 2018.

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