---
title: Effects of Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids on Post-Exercise Muscle Collagen Synthesis in Young Men
nct_id: NCT04596553
overall_status: COMPLETED
phase: NA
sponsor: University of British Columbia
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Skeletal Muscle
countries: Canada
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT04596553.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04596553"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2023-06-13
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T07:11:28.285Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Effects of Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids on Post-Exercise Muscle Collagen Synthesis in Young Men

**Official Title:** The Effects of Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids on Post-Exercise Muscle Collagen Synthesis in Young Men: a Randomized Controlled Trial

**NCT ID:** [NCT04596553](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04596553)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** COMPLETED
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 17
- **Lead Sponsor:** University of British Columbia
- **Conditions:** Skeletal Muscle, Extracellular Matrix, Amino Acids Metabolism, Exercise, Dietary Supplements
- **Start Date:** 2021-01-25
- **Completion Date:** 2022-02-13
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2023-06-13

## Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess which amino acids are affecting acute muscle collagen synthesis in response to supplementation and exercise.

## Detailed Description

This is a double-blinded, randomized controlled, parallel design study, with 3 treatment groups (placebo, collagen peptide, and essential amino acid). The study will involve 3 visits: a baseline testing/familiarization session, and 2 exercise trials which will include muscle biopsies, blood draws, and the infusion of a tracer isotope in order to measure muscle protein synthesis.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Maximum age:** 35 Years
- **Sex:** MALE
- **Healthy Volunteers:** Yes

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Can fluently read and write in English
* Male
* 18 - 35 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or current pharmaceutical therapy
* Medical conditions impacting ability to undertake strenuous physical activity
* Lower body resistance training in the previous 6 months
* BMI \> 30
* Currently smoking with cigarettes
* Allergy to any study supplements
* Currently taking any protein, amino acid, or collagen supplement
* Participate in greater than 2 hours of weekly vigorous exercise
```

## Arms

- **Essential Amino Acid** (ACTIVE_COMPARATOR) — Participants will consume 1 dose of: 15 g crystalline essential amino acid supplement (Pure Encapsulation Essential Aminos 180) + 80 ml (48 mg) Vitamin C (Ribena Blackcurrant) + 250 ml water
- **Collagen Peptide** (ACTIVE_COMPARATOR) — Participants will consume 1 dose of: 15g collagen peptide (Gelita TENDOFORTE) + 80 ml (48 mg) Vitamin C (Ribena Blackcurrant) + 250 ml water
- **Maltodextrin Placebo** (PLACEBO_COMPARATOR) — Participants will consume 1 dose of:15 g maltodextrin (Canadian Protein Maltodextrin) + 80 ml (48 mg) Vitamin C (Ribena Blackcurrant) + 250 ml water

## Interventions

- **Essential Amino Acid** (DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT) — Immediately following the exercise intervention participants will consume their assigned essential amino acid supplement
- **Collagen Peptide** (DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT) — Immediately following the exercise intervention participants will consume their assigned collagen peptide supplement
- **Maltodextrin Placebo** (DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT) — Immediately following the exercise intervention participants will consume their assigned maltodextrin supplement

## Primary Outcomes

- **Fractional synthetic rate (change over time) of Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis** _(time frame: 0 - 4 hours post-exercise)_ — Fraction of the myofibrillar enriched protein from muscle biopsy per unit time.
- **Fractional synthetic rate (change over time) of Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis** _(time frame: 0 - 2 hours post-exercise)_ — Fraction of the myofibrillar enriched protein from muscle biopsy per unit time.
- **Fractional synthetic rate (change over time) of Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis** _(time frame: 2 - 4 hours post-exercise)_ — Fraction of the myofibrillar enriched protein from muscle biopsy per unit time.
- **Fractional synthetic rate (change over time) Muscle Collagen Synthesis** _(time frame: 0 - 4 hours post-exercise)_ — Fraction of the intramuscular collagen enriched protein from muscle biopsy per unit time.
- **Fractional synthetic rate (change over time) Muscle Collagen Synthesis** _(time frame: 0 - 2 hours post-exercise)_ — Fraction of the intramuscular collagen enriched protein from muscle biopsy per unit time.
- **Fractional synthetic rate (change over time) Muscle Collagen Synthesis** _(time frame: 2 - 4 hours post-exercise)_ — Fraction of the intramuscular collagen enriched protein from muscle biopsy per unit time.
- **Pro-Collagen Type I N-Propeptide (PINP)** _(time frame: 1 hour prior to exercise)_ — Osteoblastic marker of bone collagen synthesis
- **Pro-Collagen Type I N-Propeptide (PINP)** _(time frame: 4 hours post exercise)_ — Osteoblastic marker of bone collagen synthesis

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Plasma Amino Acids Response to Supplementation** _(time frame: 0 - 4 hours post-exercise)_
- **Muscle mechanistic target of rapamycin Pathway Activation** _(time frame: 0 - 4 hours post-exercise)_
- **PCR Gene Expression of Muscle Collagen Genes (Types I, III, IV)** _(time frame: 0 - 4 hours post-exercise)_
- **Pro-Collagen Type III N-Propeptide (PIIINP)** _(time frame: 1 hour prior to exercise)_
- **Pro-Collagen Type III N-Propeptide (PIIINP)** _(time frame: 4 hours post exercise)_

## Locations (1)

- Chan Gunn Pavilion, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.maxAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.chan gunn pavilion|vancouver|british columbia|canada` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT04596553.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04596553*  
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