title: Similar effects of leucine rich and regular dairy products on muscle mass and functions of older polymyalgia rheumatica patients: a randomized crossover trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Leucine-rich milk and whey proteins have been suggested for prevention of age related loss of muscle mass and strength i.e. sarcopenia. The effects of milk protein supplementation and low intensity home based physical exercise on body composition and muscle functions were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized double blind crossover trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community dwelling members of Helsinki rheumatoid association.
  
  
  METHODS
  Older people (N=47, mean age 69.5 years) suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients performed as many stand ups as possible twice a day after which they ingested a regular (Control) or a whey protein enriched dairy product with high leucine content (Test). The 8-week intervention periods were separated by a 4-week wash-out.
  
  
  METHODS
  Body composition was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry and muscle functions by hand grip strength, force platform countermovement jump performance, chair stand test, and walking speed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 16-week home-based post-exercise supplementation resulted in a 1.8% increase (p = 0.052) in lower limb muscle mass. Walking speed (+5.3%, p = 0.007) and chair stand test performance (-12.2 %, p < 0.001) were also improved. Furthermore, a tendency for increased jump power (+3.0%, p = 0.084) was observed. However, significant and consistent differences were not found in the changes of muscle mass indices or muscle functions between supplements, but the test supplement tended to prevent accumulation of body fat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low intensity home based exercise program combined with post-exercise milk protein supplementation is feasible despite some gastrointestinal complaints and seems effective in improving the muscle mass and functions of older persons with a inflammatory disease. Further studies are needed to establish, whether and to what extent the use of leucine-enriched whey products prevent or treat age-associated sarcopenia and whether they are superior to the present commercial milk products.
authors.affiliation: Clinics of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Helsinki University Central Hospital, POB 340, FI-00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. mikko.bjorkman@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Björkman
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Pilvi
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kekkonen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Korpela
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tilvis
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003611:Dairy Products; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D000067816:Whey Proteins
chemical_list: D008894:Milk Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D007930:Leucine