Protein support to rebuild muscle in people with heart failure
A SkeleTal muscle Recovery Intervention with Dietary protein in Heart Failure (ASTRID-HF)
Adults with heart failure who have lost muscle will take an oral protein supplement to help them regain muscle, get stronger, and feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266235 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join this project, adults with heart failure and evidence of muscle loss will be randomly assigned to receive oral protein supplements or a comparison approach. Muscle mass will be measured by DXA scans and physical function tests over several months, and health outcomes including survival will be tracked. Blood and other samples may be analyzed to study biological pathways that drive muscle wasting, like GDF-15 and activin signaling. The team builds on observations that muscle can recover after treatments that improve heart function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who show evidence of muscle wasting and can take oral protein supplements are the likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without HFrEF or without muscle loss, or those who cannot take oral protein (for example severe kidney disease or swallowing problems), are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help people with HFrEF regain muscle, improve strength and daily function, and potentially improve survival.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown muscle gains after left ventricular assist device support and benefits of protein in other groups, but oral protein supplementation has not been proven specifically for muscle loss in HFrEF.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vest, Amanda Ruth — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Vest, Amanda Ruth
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.