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Impact of protein and alkali supplementation on skeletal muscle in older adults

Award Number: R01AG055443
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/30/2018
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2025

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Impact of protein and alkali supplementation on skeletal muscle in older adults - PROJECT SUMMARY Skeletal muscle loss and impairment – prominent features of the aging process – lead to physical disability. There is plausible evidence that altering components of the diet, mainly protein intake and acid/base balance, may improve indices of muscle health in older adults and thus translate to a reduction in physical disability. A growing number of studies suggest that increasing protein intake using a whey protein supplement may benefit muscle health in older adults. However, a main concern is that high protein results in a large dietary acid load from the breakdown of protein to acidogenic byproducts, which could in turn promote muscle degradation particularly in older adults with age-related declines in renal excretion of acid. Thus, our hypothesis is that the balance between the amount of protein in the diet (anabolic component) and the net acid load of the diet (catabolic component) in part determines whether the diet as a whole has a net anabolic or catabolic effect on muscle. Preliminary data from our group have suggested that a daily potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) supplement improved lower extremity muscle power in postmenopausal women. Based on our preliminary data, we plan to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2x2 factorial study in which sedentary men and women age 65 and older on baseline lower protein diets will be enrolled. Participants will assigned to one of four groups: either a whey protein supplement (to raise protein intake to 1.5 g/kg/d) with or without KHCO3 81 mmol/d or an isocaloric placebo supplement with or without KHCO3 81 mmol/d for 24 wks. The primary outcome is lower extremity muscle power. Secondary outcomes are lower extremity muscle endurance, physical performance, lean mass, and 24-hr urinary nitrogen excretion. Twenty-four-week changes in these outcomes will be compared in the 4 groups. Our central hypothesis is that higher protein intake plus a neutralizing alkaline salt will have additive effects on muscle performance and mass in older adults to either intervention alone. If successful, this research could result in a paradigm shift in dietary advice to older adults to reduce physical disability. As 1 in 5 US adults will be over age 65 by year 2040, a safe dietary intervention that reduces age-related musculoskeletal decline will be an important preventative health step for our aging society.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$21,056 )
2025	2024	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	5	6/22/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$21,056
														Subtotal = -$21,056

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $284,300 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	5	2/9/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$255,870
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	001	5	7/3/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$28,430
														Subtotal = $284,300

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $344,392 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	4	6/26/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$344,392
														Subtotal = $344,392

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2022	2021	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	3	4/21/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $381,424 )
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	3	3/2/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$381,424
														Subtotal = $381,424

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2020	2019	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	001	2	5/22/2020	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$0
2020	2019	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	2	5/22/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $521,771 )
2019	2019	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	002	2	9/13/2019	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$100,952
2019	2019	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	001	2	5/31/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$420,819
2019	2018	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	1	11/27/2018	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $521,771

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $447,754 )
2018	2018	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	136 HARRISON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02111	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	1	9/21/2018	NEW	$447,754
														Subtotal = $447,754

Grand Total All Awards = $1,958,585

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Impact of protein and alkali supplementation on skeletal muscle in older adults

Award Number: R01AG055443

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/30/2018

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2025

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