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How Animal and Plant Protein Shakes Change the Body's Nutrient and Health Responses

Randomized Crossover Trial of Protein Source and Leucine Supplementation on Metabolic and Immune Signaling Pathways

Who can join

Ages 18 to 65 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-65 years
2. BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m²
3. Generally healthy, without known chronic illness and/or treatment with chronic medications
4. Willing to comply with dietary restrictions and study procedures
5. Not currently following a prescribed or restrictive diet (for example, vegan, ketogenic or high-protein regimen) or regularly taking high-protein supplements

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders
2. Active use of anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, or lipid-lowering medications
3. Renal or hepatic dysfunction
4. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
5. Allergies or intolerances to components of study meals. A list of the smoothie ingredients will be sent to the potential participant with the mailing of the consent form
6. Participation in another interventional study within the last 30 days

About the study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how different protein types affect the body's metabolism and immune system in healthy adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does drinking smoothies with animal-based or plant-based protein change the level of amino acids like leucine in the blood?

Does adding leucine to a plant-based smoothie make the body respond like it does to an animal-based smoothie?

Participants will:

Come to the research clinic for 3 study visits

Drink a high-protein smoothie at each visit (one with animal protein, one with plant protein, and one with plant protein + leucine)

Give blood samples before and 1 and 3 hours after each smoothie

Researchers will look at how the body's metabolism and immune system respond. They are especially interested in a pathway called mTOR, which helps control how cells use nutrients and may be involved in heart disease like atherosclerosis.

All smoothies are prepared to meet Halal and Kosher dietary guidelines.

What is being tested

• Animal-Based Protein Smoothie (dietary supplement)
• Plant-Based Protein Smoothie (dietary supplement)
• Plant-Based Protein Smoothie with Leucine (dietary supplement)

Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh · Participants: 20 · Started: Mar 24, 2026

Contact the study team

• Ali Ajam, MD · Phone: 412-512-1044
• Babak Razani, MD-PhD · Phone: 412-648-7496

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07121010

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Atherosclerosis

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.