The Impact of Milk Protein Glycation on Protein Digestion and Absorption

Proteins are mainly required as building blocks for muscle maintenance and muscle growth. To supply these building blocks for growth and development, proteins need to be well digested, and absorbed in the circulation.

Processing of milk to produce dairy products, such as milk protein powders, may affect protein quality. Heat processes can impact native protein structure, for example by inducing protein denaturation and aggregation. In addition, reducing sugars such as lactose can react with the amino group of amino acids, known as the Maillard reaction or protein glycation. Glycation levels in milk protein powders can range from 5-50%, depending on factors such as water content and storage temperature.

Several in vitro and animal studies have shown that protein glycation decreases protein digestibility. In addition, we have recently demonstrated that protein glycation reduces post-prandial amino acid availability in humans. This reduced postprandial amino acid availability could mostly be attributed to a reduction in postprandial availability of the essential amino acid lysine. The lower post-prandial availability of amino acids following ingestion of protein with a high glycation level suggests an impaired digestion and absorption of glycated dietary protein.

Therefore, to test whether ingestion of a high glycated milk protein results in a lower appearance of dietary protein-derived amino acids, a human trial has been designed. Subjects will consume a low or high glycated milk protein drink, where after several blood samples will be taken to assess the appearance of dietary protein-derived amino acids over time by using a continuous amino acid tracer infusion. The low and high glycated protein drinks reflect the lower and upper range of protein glycation reported in dairy protein products. We hypothesize that protein glycation attenuates the appearance of dietary protein-derived amino acids in plasma.

Inclusion criteria

• Males
• Aged between 18-35 years
• Healthy, recreationally active (participating in recreational sports activities ≥ 1 and ≤ 6 h per week, with a maximum of 2 h resistance-type exercise)
• 18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2
• No physical limitations (i.e. able to perform all activities associated with daily living in an independent manner).

Exclusion criteria

• Smoking
• Lactose intolerant or allergies to milk proteins
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Metabolic disorders
• Use of any medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or prescribed acne medications).
• Chronic use of gastric acid suppressing medication or anti-coagulants
• Unstable weight over the last three months
• Diagnosed GI tract disorders or diseases
• Blood donation in the past 2 months