Dietary nitrate to limit muscle loss during leg immobilization in young men
Official title: Effect of Dietary Nitrate on Immobilization-induced Changes in Skeletal Muscle
Run by Indiana University · NCT07161973 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This test will see if drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice prevents muscle loss and metabolic changes during short-term leg immobilization in healthy men aged 18–44.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 44 Years |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Indiana University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Indianapolis, Indiana) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 30, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | February 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07161973 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy men aged 18–44 who meet activity-level screening criteria and are willing to undergo short-term leg immobilization and study visits are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
People outside the 18–44 age range, women, current smokers, or those with excluded health conditions or taking prohibited medications are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Healthy men will undergo short-term lower-leg immobilization to model disuse-induced muscle wasting while receiving either nitrate-rich beetroot juice or a nitrate-depleted placebo. Participants are assigned to one of the two beverage groups for the duration of the immobilization period. Researchers will measure muscle fiber size, whole-muscle size, strength, and mitochondrial energetics before and after immobilization. The goal is to determine whether dietary nitrate can preserve muscle mass, strength, and energy metabolism during disuse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, dietary nitrate could help preserve muscle size and function during periods of limb immobilization and speed recovery after injury or surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Some animal studies and small human trials suggest dietary nitrate can improve blood flow and mitochondrial function, but applying it to prevent immobilization-induced muscle wasting in humans is largely untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men age 18-44 * Above the minimum threshold of the IPAQ questionnaire * Below the maximum threshold of the IPAQ questionnaire Exclusion Criteria: * Men and women \<18 or \>44 years of age * Unable to provide informed consent * Known clotting disorder * Previous history of deep vein thrombosis * Injury to either leg resulting in reduced mobility in the previous year * Currently dieting or weight instability for the past 3 months * Epileptic * Pacemaker or other implantable heart device * Currently taking antibiotics * Current smoker * Stage II hypertension (resting blood pressure \>140/\>90) * Previously undergone a revascularization procedure involving a vascular graft or stenting of the femoral or popliteal arteries * Those taking phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., Viagra), proton pump inhibitors, antacids, xanthine oxidase inhibitors, hormonal contraceptives or on hormone replacement therapy * An answer of yes to any of the seven questions on the first page of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q. These exclusions include the following: * If participant's doctor has ever said that he/she has a heart condition and that he/she should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor * Pain in chest when doing physical activity * In past month, chest pain when not doing physical activity * If participant has ever lost balance because of dizziness or has ever lost consciousness * Muscle, bone, or joint problem that could be made worse by physical activity * Currently on prescribed drugs for blood pressure or heart condition. * If the participant knows of any other reason he/she should not do physical activity.
Where it's running
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Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Andrew R Coggan, PhD — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Andrew R Coggan, PhD
- Email: acoggan@iu.edu
- Phone: 317-274-0656
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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This study tests if taking beetroot juice or beetroot crystals can improve oral health for healthy adults by looking at things like saliva and mouth bacteria.
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This study is testing if sodium bicarbonate can help improve muscle health and endurance in people with chronic kidney disease.
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Protein dose effects on muscle during five days of one-leg immobilization
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.