Background: Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes have dramatically grown in prevalence over the last decade. Weight loss and lifestyle modifications are often prescribed, as adherence to a resistance exercise training program reduces adiposity and improves glucose sensitivity. Despite the popularity of high protein diets for weight loss and muscle building, prospective and retrospective population-based studies as well as randomized clinical trials have shown that reduced protein intake is associated with better metabolic health in humans, the majority of whom are sedentary. Similar results are observed in sedentary rodents, where reduced protein intake improves metabolic health and body composition. We hypothesized that a unifying explanation of these results is that exercise is protective against high dietary protein intake. Here, we investigate how dietary protein intake interacts with resistance exercise training in mice to determine outcomes related to metabolic health. 

Methods: Male mice were assigned a group with either a high (36%) or low (7%) protein diet with or without a previously validated 12-week progressive overload resistance training program. Food consumption, body composition, and fitness were measured along with metabolic phenotyping outcomes. 

Results: Similar to previous studies, the low protein diets improved body composition in male mice when compared to high protein. However, high protein-fed sedentary animals accumulated significantly more fat mass than high protein-fed exercising mice. Low protein consumption significantly improves blood sugar control compared to high protein diets independently of resistance exercise, though resistance exercise itself may also promote glucose tolerance. Increasing dietary protein intake leads to more rapid strength and lean muscle gain in response to resistance exercise training. However, exercising low protein-fed mice eventually gained similar strength to high protein-fed exercised mice. 

Conclusions: Our results suggest that while low protein diets maximize metabolic health for sedentary mice, resistance exercise and muscle growth may be protective against some, but not all, negative metabolic effects of high protein diets and lead to greater strength and muscle mass. Future studies will be needed to determine if resistance or other forms of exercise are protective against the negative metabolic effects of high protein diets in humans, and to examine if resistance exercise allows high-protein-fed animals to live long, healthy lifespans.

Dietary protein restriction promotes leanness while enabling strength gain in mice

Basic Science | Other

poster

Welcome to the largest national, multi-specialty research event **featuring research from 750 medical students, residents and fellows, and international medical graduates.**


#### Event Details
The 2022 American Medical Association Research Challenge includes a poster symposium hall and a semifinals hall with the top scored research. Log in at any time throughout the event to:
* **View posters and presentations** on a variety of topics and specialties
* **Score posters in the semifinals** to help decide the top five finalists (AMA member exclusive opportunity)
* **Connect with participants** and provide feedback to help advance their research

At the conclusion of this event, the AMA will announce the top five finalists who will advance to the AMA Research Challenge finals, present their research to an elite panel of judges and compete to win a $10,000 grand prize sponsored by Laurel Road.
 

#### Attend Live Forums
**Oct. 20, 6 — 7 p.m. Central**
 **How to plan a career in academic medicine** 
 Learn how to plan a career in academic medicine and get your questions answered. [Access Here](https://underline.io/events/363/lounge)
 
 **Speakers**
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/d5adb133dfc58eb0a6d469e9cedcd5d4.jpg)
Ricardo Correa, MD, EdD
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/5f9437ab87861538bf02b9ca7c0d926e.jpg)
Stuart M. Greenstein, MD
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/05b1b637c99286d558c371f8e8b185ce.jpg)
Stephanie Strohbeen, MD
 
 **Oct. 22, 11 a.m. — Noon Central**
 **How to get published**
 Learn tips to get your research published and get your questions answered. [Access Here](https://underline.io/events/363/lounge)
 
 **Speakers**
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/8ce6235e957d31cb5e6f9097cc6f6972.jpg)
Jessica Li, MD/PhD Candidate
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/9950ef2e0237f54cb3d8280334d42491.jpg)
Charles Lopresto, DO

### Sponsor
AMA would like to thank Laurel Road for sponsoring a $10,000 grand prize for the winner of the AMA Research Challenge. Laurel Road is not involved in the judging or scoring process to select the winner. The winner will be announced on Dec. 7 during the AMA Research Challenge finals. Payment of the grand prize will be directly from Laurel Road. See the AMA Research Challenge Official Rules for terms and conditions.

![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/611e331d4a0eba0920f240cfc04b4d77.png)

**There is no registration fee for this event! **

Register to explore research in a variety of topics. AMA members get exclusive access to score posters in the semifinals.

**Please use the link below to register for free if you have not already done so:**

https://www.ama-assn.org/about/events/ama-research-challenge

Registration Is Required

AMA Research Challenge 2022

Welcome to the largest national, multi-specialty research event featuring research from 750 medical students, residents and fellows, and international medical graduates.


Leah Braucher

1

SHORT BIO

Presentations

Dietary protein restriction promotes leanness while enabling strength gain in mice

Stay up to date with the latest Underline news!

PRESENTATIONS

CONFERENCES

COMPANY

RESOURCES