Nutrition plan to rebuild muscle and activity after sepsis
Targeted nutritional approach to restore muscle health and physical activity after sepsis
['FUNDING_R01'] · TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY · NIH-11177651
This project compares adding HMB plus essential amino acids to usual nutrition to help people regain muscle strength and physical activity after sepsis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLLEGE STATION, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11177651 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Sepsis can cause long-lasting muscle breakdown, weakness, and reduced activity, and this work aims to restore muscle health through targeted nutrition. Researchers will use a pig model of sepsis rehabilitation that mimics human muscle loss to compare a combined HMB (anti-catabolic) and essential amino acid (anabolic) formula versus essential amino acids alone or controls. They will measure muscle protein synthesis, protein breakdown, autophagy, strength, and activity levels to see which nutrition approach best improves recovery. The mechanistic findings are intended to support future human-focused nutritional strategies for sepsis survivors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for eventual human trials would be people recovering from sepsis who have persistent muscle weakness, low activity, or signs of muscle wasting during rehabilitation.
Not a fit: People without recent sepsis or whose muscle problems stem from non-sepsis conditions (for example primary neuromuscular diseases) are unlikely to benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help sepsis survivors regain muscle mass, strength, and daily activity more quickly during rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: Nutrition approaches using HMB and amino acids have shown promise for reducing muscle loss in older or immobilized patients, but applying this combined strategy specifically to sepsis recovery is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
COLLEGE STATION, UNITED STATES
- TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY — COLLEGE STATION, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DEUTZ, NICOLAAS E — TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: DEUTZ, NICOLAAS E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.