We have established that dietary protein is an important regulator of intestinal calcium absorption in humans. However, we do not understand the mechanism by which dietary protein is affecting calcium absorption. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to evaluate whether dietary protein-induced changes in gastric acid secretion explain the observed changes in intestinal calcium absorption.
We have established that dietary protein is an important regulator of intestinal calcium absorption in humans. However, we do not understand the mechanism by which dietary protein is affecting calcium absorption. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to evaluate whether dietary protein-induced changes in gastric acid secretion explain the observed changes in intestinal calcium absorption. We have compelling in vitro data that amino acids can stimulate gastric acid secretion. We have found that this occurs via allosteric activation of the calcium sensing receptor expressed on the gastric acid-secreting parietal cells. At a fixed concentration of extracellular calcium, addition of L but not D isomers of specific amino acids activates the calcium sensing receptor and stimulates parietal cell acid production. We hypothesize that dietary protein induced gastric acid production increases calcium solubility and bioavailability thereby increasing its absorption. We will test this hypothesis in humans by quantifying the impact of dietary protein on intestinal calcium absorption in subjects who cannot make gastric acid. We will measure intestinal calcium absorption in healthy adults as they consume either a high protein diet with concomitant administration of a proton pump inhibiting (PPI) drug or the same high protein diet with a placebo instead of a PPI. The order of the 2 interventions will be randomized, and study will be double-blind and placebo controlled. If our hypothesis is correct, then intestinal calcium absorption will be highest during the high protein diet with placebo, and lowest during the drug intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
12
2 Interventions with esomeprazole 20 mg twice a day for 9 days vs. a placebo for 9 days while on a high protein diet
Placebo 20 mg twice a day for 9 days
Yale New Haven Hospital Hospital Research Unit
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Percent Change in Intestinal Calcium Absorption
This is completed by measuring the amount of calcium absorbed by utilizing dual stable calcium isotopes. It was hypothesized that we would see a percent decrease as a result of the proton pump inhibitor. Previous published data indicated a decline in calcium absorption of 6.6 +/- 5.5% when gastric pH is blocked.
Time frame: Day 5 of a high protein diet
Gastric pH
The American Heritage Dictionary defines pH as "a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, numerically equal to 7 for neutral solutions, increasing with increasing alkalinity and decreasing with increasing acidity. The pH scale commonly in use ranges from 0 to 14." The normal pH range for stomach acid is between 1.5 and 3.5.
Time frame: Day 5 of a high protein diet
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