Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Rehabilitation and Supplementation With Hydrolyzed Collagen vs. Whey Protein on the Cardiopulmonary, Renal, Muscular, and Immunohematological Response of COPD Patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) induces a severe loss of muscle strength and mass, in addition to reflecting significant pulmonary changes and causing cardiovascular, immunohematological, and renal alterations. In this regard, strategies capable of restoring or at least slowing the loss of muscle strength and mass are highly desirable. In this context, in addition to pulmonary rehabilitation with aerobic and strength exercises, supplementation with whey protein has been considered the gold standard for promoting muscle strength and mass gain in athletes. However, the potential effects of whey protein supplementation in patients with COPD remain unclear, which constitutes one of the objectives of the present study. A high percentage of elderly individuals present with lactose intolerance, milk protein allergies, or discomfort caused by components such as albumin, lactoferrin, casein, and alpha- and beta-globulin, making whey protein supplementation prohibitive for many elderly individuals, including those with COPD. Conversely, supplementation with collagen, particularly hydrolyzed collagen, offers a "pre-digested" protein option free from typical milk proteins. Additionally, the food industry has developed low molecular weight hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which may render such products hypoallergenic. To investigate these effects, 320 individuals aged 45 to 80 years with mild, moderate, severe, or very severe COPD (as defined by GOLD COPD 2025 criteria) will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to four groups: Control Group (GC; subjected only to pre- and post-assessments; mild COPD n = 20; moderate COPD n = 20; severe COPD n = 20; very severe COPD n = 20), Whey Supplemented Group (GW; supplemented with whey protein; mild COPD n = 20; moderate COPD n = 20; severe COPD n = 20; very severe COPD n = 20), Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplemented Group (GH; supplemented with hydrolyzed collagen; mild COPD n = 20; moderate COPD n = 20; severe COPD n = 20; very severe COPD n = 20), and Rehabilitation Group (GR; subjected to rehabilitation; mild COPD n = 20; moderate COPD n = 20; severe COPD n = 20; very severe COPD n = 20). As outlined in the objectives and methodology of the project, the primary goals are to evaluate: (1) the effects of whey protein and (2) the effects of low molecular weight hydrolyzed collagen on pulmonary, cardiovascular, immunohematological, muscular, and renal parameters. The supplementation period will span three months, with evaluations conducted at baseline and after the supplementation period. Statistical analyses will be performed using the paired Student's t-test for intragroup comparisons and the unpaired Student's t-test for intergroup comparisons. A p-value of less than 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

IMPACT OF SUPPLEMENTATION WITH LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN AND VERISOL ON THE EXPRESSION OF LINES, SKIN QUALITY, AND LEVELS OF KLOTHO, VEGF, AND TGF-BETA IN THE EYE REGION

Skin is the largest organ of the human body and performs various vital functions, including protection against external agents, regulation of body temperature, and sensory perception. As we age, our skin undergoes a series of changes that can be noticeable both visually and physically. One of the most evident changes is the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, resulting from decreased skin elasticity and reduced production of collagen and elastin. Nutrition plays a key role in skin health, influencing its structure, function, and ability to defend against damage and diseases. However, it is unknown to what extent supplementation with different types of collagens can attenuate these effects in middle-aged women. Therefore, the present study aims to recruit 150 middle-aged women (35-58 years old) who will be randomized into three groups, Verisol Collagen 2.5 g/day, Peptech Collagen 2.5 g/day, and Peptech Collagen 10 g/day, 7 days a week, for 3 months. Skin hydration, oiliness, and flexibility, as well as the number and depth of expression lines, will be evaluated, along with plasma levels of Klotho, VEGF, and TGF-beta. Data will be analyzed, and graphs constructed using GraphPad Prism 5.0 software (California, USA). The normality distribution of the data will be assessed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Data with parametric distribution will be subjected to paired Student's t-test for intragroup comparison, and unpaired t-test will be used for comparison between groups. Significance levels will be considered statistically different for p\<0.05.

Influence of Specific Collagen Peptides on Training-Induced Metabolic and Biomechanical Adaptations of Skeletal Muscle

This study investigates whether taking daily collagen peptides, combined with long-term endurance or concurrent training can enhance running economy through muscle and/or tendon adaptations.