Effects of whey protein and resistance exercise on body cell mass, muscle strength, and quality of life in women with HIV.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of whey protein, resistance exercise, and combined protein and exercise treatment on body cell mass (BCM), muscle strength, and quality of life (QOL) in HIV-infected women with reduced BCM.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled trial at a university hospital in New York City.


METHODS
A volunteer sample of 30 HIV-infected women were randomized to whey protein (PRO), progressive resistance exercise (PRE), or combined treatment (PRO-PRE) for 14 weeks after a 6-week control period. The main outcome measures were body weight, BCM, skeletal muscle, fat mass, muscle strength, and QOL.


RESULTS
There were no significant changes in BCM, strength, or QOL during the control period. PRO patients gained 3.6 kg (P = 0.001), and 2.5 kg fat (P = 0.002) with no change in BCM (0.5 kg; P = 0.07) or skeletal muscle (0.6 kg; P = 0.12). The PRE group increased BCM (0.74 kg;P = 0.03) and skeletal muscle (1.2 kg; P < 0.001) and decreased fat (1.7 kg; P = 0.02). PRO-PRE increased BCM (0.61 kg; P = 0.01) without change in skeletal muscle (0.6 kg; P = 0.30). Strength increased for both exercise groups (range, 40.6-95.3%; P < 0.001). The QOL physical activity score improved for PRE (P = 0.02) and worsened for PRO (P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Resistance exercise significantly increased BCM, muscle mass, muscle strength, and QOL in HIV-infected women with reduced BCM. Whey protein had little effect on BCM accrual. Combined protein and exercise did not increase BCM in excess of gains achieved by exercise alone.
Agin
D
D
Gastrointestinal Division, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, New York 10025, USA. deniseagin@aol.com
Gallagher
D
D
Wang
J
J
Heymsfield
S B
SB
Pierson
R N
RN
Kotler
D P
DP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D008894:Milk Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins