Understanding muscle recovery after inactivity

Muscle Immune Cells During Disuse and Recovery in Aging and Metabolic Disease

This study is testing how well muscles recover after being inactive for two weeks in healthy people aged 18-35 and 60-85.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 85 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Utah (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Trial ID: NCT04416191 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study aims to enroll healthy individuals aged 18-35 and 60-85 to investigate how muscle health recovers following a period of inactivity. Participants will undergo a series of tests, including blood screenings, biopsies, and muscle strength assessments, before and after a 2-week leg immobilization period. The study will track changes in muscle health and immune cell activity during this recovery phase over the course of 1-2 months.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy individuals aged 18-35 or 60-85 who can provide informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, or vascular diseases, as well as those on anticoagulant therapy, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into improving muscle recovery strategies for individuals experiencing disuse.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on muscle disuse and recovery, this specific approach focusing on immune cells during disuse is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 18-35 and 60-85 yrs
2. Ability to sign informed consent
3. Free-living, prior to admission

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of cardiovascular disease (e.g., CHF, CAD, right-to-left shunt)
* History of endocrine or metabolic disease such as hypo/hyperthyroidism and diabetes
* History of kidney disease or failure
* Vascular disease
* Risk of DVT including family history of thrombophilia, DVT, pulmonary emboli, myeloproliferative diseases including polycythemia (Hb\>18 g/dL) or thrombocytosis (platelets\>400x103/mL), and connective tissue diseases (positive lupus anticoagulant), hyperhomocystinemia, deficiencies of factor V Leiden, proteins S and C, and antithrombine III
* Use of anticoagulant therapy (e.g., Coumadin, heparin)
* Elevated systolic pressure \>150 or a diastolic blood pressure \> 100
* Implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemakers, electronic infusion pumps, stimulators)
* Cancer or history of successfully treated cancer (less than 1 year) other than basal cell carcinoma
* Currently on a weight-loss diet
* Chronic systemic corticosteroid use (≥ 2 weeks) within 4 weeks of enrollment and for study duration (intra-articular/topical/inhaled therapeutic or physiologic doses of corticosteroids are permitted)
* Androgens or growth hormone within 6 months of enrollment and for study duration (topical physiologic androgen replacement is permitted)
* History of stroke with motor disability
* A recent history (\<12 months) of GI bleed
* History of liver disease
* History of respiratory disease (acute upper respiratory infection, history of chronic lung disease)
* Pregnancy as determined by a pregnancy test
* Any staff members who report directly to an investigator or who report to someone who reports directly to an investigator.
* Any other condition or event considered exclusionary by the PI and faculty physician

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah

• The University of Utah — Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Micah Drummond, PhD — University of Utah
• Study coordinator: Micah Drummond, PhD

Conditions: Muscle Disuse