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Glutathione (GSH) Synthesis in Healthy School-aged Children and Healthy Young and Old Adults

Healthy

To measure the fractional and absolute synthesis rates of GSH, an antioxidant that protects cells from damage, in the erythrocytes of healthy school-aged children, young adults and old adults in response to graded intakes of protein in order to determine if increasing the protein intake above the current recommended DRI produces increases in the GSH synthesis rates in erythrocytes of these individuals. Participants will consume specially formulated diets with varying protein levels.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL
  • Eligible Ages:

    6 to 90

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria in:

1. Healthy school-aged children

* Body weight ≥ 22 kg
* No history of anemia
* Willingness to participate
2. Healthy Young Adults

* Consent provided
* Aged 19 - 40 years old
* In good general health as evidenced by medical history, physical health and blood draw
* Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), urea, creatinine, vitamin-B6, vitamin-B12 and folate levels within normal ranges for age.
* Willingness to participate in the study.
* BMI \<25 kg/m2.
3. Healthy Old Adults

* Consent provided
* Aged 60- 90 years old
* In good general health as evidenced by medical history, physical health and blood draw
* Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), urea, creatinine, vitamin-B6, vitamin-B12 and folate levels within normal ranges for age.
* Willingness to participate in the study.
* BMI \<30 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria in:

1. Healthy school-aged children

* HIV
* Diabetes
* Anaemia
* Significant weight loss within 30 days of study
* On weight loss diets
* Body weight less that 22kg
* Inability to tolerate diet
* Unwilling to have blood drawn
2. Healthy Young and Old Adults:

* Presence of chronic disease and/or acute illness known to affect GSH and/or protein/amino acid metabolism (e.g. HIV, diabetes, cancer, liver or kidney disease, acute cold or flu).
* Anemia (15 - 20% outside lower limit of normal lab reference ranges)
* Taking medications known to affect GSH and/or protein/AA metabolism (e.g. acetaminophen, steroids).
* Significant weight loss during the past month or consumption of weight reducing diets.
* Significant caffeine consumption (\>2 cups per day).
* Significant consumption of alcohol (\>1 drink per day i.e. 1 beer or ½ glass of wine).
* Inability to tolerate the diet
* Unwilling to have blood drawn from a venous access during the isotope infusion day.

Study Location

The Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

Contact Study Team

Backup Contact

Mahroukh Rafii, BSc

[email protected]
416-813-7454
Primary Contact

Sylwia Szwiega, BSc, MSc

[email protected]
416-813-7454
Study Sponsored By
The Hospital for Sick Children
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT02971046