Painless breath test may end need for muscle biopsies in protein studies

NCT ID NCT07317921

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Toronto Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a non-invasive breath test can accurately measure how the body builds muscle after eating protein, compared to the current gold-standard method that requires muscle biopsies. Eight healthy adults will drink protein shakes with special tracers, then provide breath, urine, and blood samples along with two small muscle biopsies. If the breath test works, it could make future nutrition research much easier and less painful for volunteers.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Protein drink with stable isotope tracers
What this could lead to: If successful, this could replace painful muscle biopsies with a simple breath test to study how protein builds muscle.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early study (8 people) that only checks if the new method matches the old one. It does not test any treatment or health benefit.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PROTEIN METABOLISM

Contacts and locations

Locations

Kinesiology & Physical Education
RECRUITING

Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C9, Canada

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