Leucine, mTOR and Athero

High protein low carbohydrate diets have become popular in recent years to help facilitate weight loss. It is controversial if these diets are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent work in mice has implicated monocytes/macrophages and mTOR signaling as the culprit cell type driving the increased cardiovascular risk with high protein diets. We aim to build on this preclinical research by evaluating the effects of liquid meals with different protein and leucine (a potent mTOR activator) contents on circulating human monocytes and platelets. Study participants will be given either a low protein liquid meal, a high protein liquid meal, or a low protein liquid meal with additional leucine. Blood will be collected from study participants just just prior to and for several hours after ingestion of the meals. Activation of amino acid-dependent signaling pathways (particularly mTOR) and downstream sequelae will be evaluated in the isolated monocytes and platelets.