Cited by 276Muscle metabolism and nutritionMuscle Physiology and DisordersNutrition and Health in Aging

Greater stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis with ingestion of whey protein isolate v. micellar casein at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men

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Burd, Nicholas A., Yang, Yifan, Moore, Daniel R., Tang, Jason E., Tarnopolsky, Mark A., Phillips, Stuart M.·2012·British Journal of Nutrition

Abstract

We aimed to determine the effect of consuming pure isolated micellar casein or pure whey protein isolate on rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. Healthy elderly men (72 ( sem 1) years; BMI 26·4 ( sem 0·7) kg/m 2 ) were divided into two groups ( n 7 each) who received a primed, constant infusion of l -[ ring - 13 C 6 ]phenylalanine to measure MPS at rest and during 4 h of exercise recovery. Participants performed unilateral leg resistance exercise followed by the consumption of isonitrogenous quantities (20 g) of casein or whey. Blood essential amino acids and leucine concentration peaked 60 min post-drink and were greater in amplitude after whey protein ingestion (both, P < 0·05). MPS in the rested leg was 65 % higher ( P = 0·002) after ingestion of whey (0·040 ( sem 0·003) %/h) when compared with micellar casein (0·024 ( sem 0·002) %/h). Similarly, resistance exercise-stimulated rates of MPS were greater ( P < 0·001) after whey ingestion (0·059 ( sem 0·005) %/h) v. micellar casein (0·035 ( sem 0·002) %/h). We conclude that ingestion of isolated whey protein supports greater rates of MPS than micellar casein both at rest and after resistance exercise in healthy elderly men. This result is probably related to a greater hyperaminoacidaemia or leucinaemia with whey ingestion.

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  • Different types of proteins (e.g., casein, whey, and soy) are digested at different rates, which may affect whole body catabolism and anabolism and acute stimulation of muscle protein synthesis.

    “For example, different types of proteins (e.g., casein, whey, and soy) are digested at different rates, which may affect whole body catabolism and anabolism and acute stimulation of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) [91–96].”

    From ISSN exercise &amp; sports nutrition review update: research &amp; recommendations (2018) · cites this paper as [96]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) contrasts rapidly digested whey with slower micellar casein, and the Results (page unavailable) report greater myofibrillar protein synthesis after whey ingestion in elderly men. The paper does not establish different digestion rates for soy or measure effects on whole-body catabolism and anabolism. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • In young and old people alike, protein ingestion together with exercise training increased synthesis of skeletal muscle; effects were evident for both aerobic exercise and resistance exercise.

    “In young and old people alike, protein ingestion together with exercise training increased synthesis of skeletal muscle 24,30,52,53,139 ; effects were evident for both aerobic exercise 51,52 and resistance exercise.24,30,139”

    From Evidence-Based Recommendations for Optimal Dietary Protein Intake in Older People: A Position Paper From the PROT-AGE Study Group (2013) · cites this paper as [30]

    The Results report that myofibrillar protein synthesis in elderly men was greater after resistance exercise plus protein ingestion than after feeding alone. The Experimental protocol describes a single acute bout of resistance exercise, not exercise training. This citation is attached to the resistance-exercise portion of the sentence; the aerobic-exercise portion cites other sources. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • In older men, whey protein stimulated postprandial muscle protein accretion more effectively than casein, an effect attributed to a combination of whey's faster digestion and absorption kinetics and possibly to its higher leucine content.

    “In older men, whey protein (a “fast” milk-derived protein) stimulated postprandial muscle protein accretion more effectively than casein (a “slow” milk-derived protein), an effect that is attributed to a combination of whey's faster digestion and absorption kinetics and possibly to its higher leucine content.30,61,143”

    From Evidence-Based Recommendations for Optimal Dietary Protein Intake in Older People: A Position Paper From the PROT-AGE Study Group (2013) · cites this paper as [30]

    The Discussion reports greater postprandial myofibrillar protein synthesis with whey than with micellar casein in elderly men, and links whey's effect to rapid digestion and high leucine content. The study measured protein synthesis, however, not net muscle protein accretion, which also depends on protein breakdown. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Differences in absorption kinetics and the subsequent impact on muscle protein metabolism extend beyond the degree of hydrolysis and amino acid profiles.

    “differences in absorption kinetics, and the subsequent impact on muscle protein metabolism appear to extend beyond the degree of hydrolysis and amino acid profiles [69, 86, 90–92].”

    From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise (2017) · cites this paper as [91]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) links differences in protein form and solubility to absorption kinetics, while the Results report greater myofibrillar protein synthesis after whey than micellar casein in elderly men. The paper does not establish that the metabolic difference is independent of amino acid profiles or degree of hydrolysis; the proteins compared also differed in amino acid content. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Whey proteins yield a high concentration of amino acids in the blood (aminoacidemia) that facilitates greater activation of MPS and net muscle protein accretion in direct comparison to other protein choices.

    “These characteristics yield a high concentration of amino acids in the blood (aminoacidemia) [69, 87] that facilitates greater activation of MPS and net muscle protein accretion, in direct comparison to other protein choices [50, 69, 91].”

    From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise (2017) · cites this paper as [91]

    The Results report a larger rise in blood essential amino acids and leucine, and greater myofibrillar protein synthesis, after whey than after micellar casein in elderly men. The Abstract describes the amino-acid rise as a probable explanation, not an established cause. The study did not establish greater net muscle protein accretion or compare whey directly with protein choices beyond micellar casein. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Burd, N. A., Yang, Y., Moore, D. R., Tang, J. E., Tarnopolsky, M. A., & Phillips, S. M.
Affiliations
McMaster University (CA)
Corresponding author
Phillips, Stuart M.
Venue
British Journal of Nutrition
Published
2012-01-31
Volume
108
Issue
6
Pages
958-962
ISSN
  • 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
  • 1475-2662
OpenAlex
W2140577515
Cited by
276
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 6
FWCI
9.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
Keywords
myofibrillar protein synthesis, whey protein isolate, micellar casein, resistance training, older men, leucine, essential amino acids, protein supplementation, post-exercise recovery
MeSH terms
Whey Proteins, Aged, Aging, Amino Acids, Biopsy, Needle, Carbon Isotopes, Caseins, Humans, Kinetics, Male, Micelles, Milk Proteins, Muscle Proteins, Myofibrils, Dietary Supplements, Quadriceps Muscle, Resistance Training, Sarcopenia

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