The Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Muscle Functioning, Inflammation and Muscle Signaling

Overview

Elderly are supplemented with either Omega-3 (3 x 1.1g per day) or placebo (corn oil) during 14 weeks. The last 12 weeks, supplementation is combined with resistance exercise training (3x per week) focusing on upper leg strength. In the present project, the investigators study whether differences in muscle strength and/or muscle mass between conditions can be explained by omega-3-induced effects on systemic or muscle inflammatory signaling, or differences in muscle molecular signaling.

Full Title of Study: “The Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Muscle Functioning, Inflammation and Muscle Signaling in Elderly”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
    • Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: May 25, 2019

Detailed Description

Elderly are supplemented with either Omega-3 (3 x 1.1g per day) or placebo (corn oil) during 14 weeks. The last 12 weeks, supplementation is combined with resistance exercise training (3x per week) focusing on upper leg strength. In the present project, the investigators study whether differences in muscle strength and/or muscle mass between conditions can be explained by omega-3-induced effects on systemic or muscle inflammatory signaling, or differences in muscle molecular signaling.

Interventions

  • Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation
    • Daily supplementation with omega-3 capsules (daily for 14 weeks). Each day: 3 capsules of 1.1g
  • Other: Resistance exercise
    • Resistance exercise training in both supplementation conditions (3 times per week for 12 weeks).
  • Dietary Supplement: Placebo – appearance-matched oil supplementation
    • Daily supplementation with placebo capsules (daily for 14 weeks). Each day: 3 capsules of 1.1g

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Omega-3
    • Elderly supplemented with omega-3.
  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo
    • Elderly supplemented with corn oil.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Isometric muscle strength
    • Time Frame: Change in muscle strength between prior to and following the study intervention of 14 weeks (Jan – May 2019)
    • Isometric muscle strength as assessed with Biodex Device in Nm
  • Systemic inflammatory signaling
    • Time Frame: Change in inflammatory signaling between prior to and following the study intervention of 14 weeks (Jan – May 2019)
    • Systemic (blood) markers of inflammation: hs-CRP (mg/L), IL-6 (pg/mL), TNFa (pg/mL)
  • Muscle strength
    • Time Frame: Change in muscle strength between prior to and following the study intervention of 14 weeks (Jan – May 2019)
    • One Repetition Maximum on the leg press fitness device in kg

Secondary Measures

  • Muscle quality
    • Time Frame: Change in muscle quality between prior to and following the study intervention of 14 weeks (Jan – May 2019)
    • muscle strength (Torque) per muscle volume
  • Muscle molecular signaling (Protein levels of anabolic/catabolic signaling and skeletal muscle stress)
    • Time Frame: Change in muscle molecular signaling between prior to and following the study intervention of 14 weeks (Jan – May 2019)
    • Biochemical analyses of muscle biopsies obtained pre-post intervention in both conditions. This involves parameters of muscle anabolism, catabolism, stress, structure, integrity, quality etc.: mTORC1 pathway, FoXO, MAPK (western blotting technique, values expressed as arbitrary units)

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • aged >= 65 years Exclusion Criteria:

  • BMI < 20; BMI > 35 – regular NSAID intake in the last 3 months – omega-3 supplementation in the last year – regular resistance exercise in the last year – cancer, liver and renal disease, unstable cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease – cognitive limitations that might interfere with the (adherence to) the intervention or with the testing of outcome parameters – unstable body weight – smoking

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 65 Years

Maximum Age: 100 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • KU Leuven
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: sebastiaan dalle, Doctoral researcher – KU Leuven

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