EAA Intake to Optimize Protein Anabolism in COPD

In this study the investigators will test the following hypothesis: A high-leucine essential amino acid mixture (dose of 7.0 g EAA + 15 g carbohydrates) will stimulate protein anabolism to a greater extent than a standard balanced mixture of total (essential and non-essential) amino acids (dose of 6.7 g total AA + 15 g carbohydrates) in COPD patients. The principal endpoints will be the extent of stimulation of protein synthesis rate and the reduction in endogenous protein breakdown. The current project will provide information that will enable us to better understand the underlying metabolic mechanisms that regulate protein metabolism in patients with COPD.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of chronic airflow limitation, defined as measured forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than 70% of reference FEV1
• Shortness of breath on exertion
• Age 45 years and older
• Clinically stable condition and not suffering from respiratory tract infection or exacerbation of their disease (defined as a combination of increased cough, sputum purulence, shortness of breath, systemic symptoms such as fever, and a decrease in FEV1 > 10% compared with values when clinically stable in the preceding year) at least 4 weeks prior to the study
• Ability to lie in supine position for 6 hours

Exclusion criteria

• Established diagnosis of malignancy
• Presence of fever within the last 3 days
• Established diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
• Untreated metabolic diseases including hepatic or renal disorder
• Presence of acute illness or metabolically unstable chronic illness
• Recent myocardial infarction (less than 1 year)
• Use of long-term oral corticosteroids or short course of oral corticosteroids in the preceding month before enrollment
• Any other condition according to the PI or study physicians would interfere with proper conduct of the study / safety of the patient
• Failure to give informed consent