Method To Measure Protein Digestion & Absorption

IInclusion and exclusion criteria for study participation:

We will enroll subjects (males and females of all races) based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria described below. All subjects should be able to walk, sit and stand up indepedently. Screening procedures will be done prior to the study.

Inclusion criteria - CHF subjects:

• Ability to walk, sit down and stand up independently
• Age 45 years or older
• Ability to lie in supine or elevated position for 9 hours
• Diagnosis of CHF; under regular care by cardiologist
• Reduced ejection fraction (<45%) assessed in the past 2 years
• NYHA class II-IV
• Clinically stable condition; no hospitalization 4 weeks preceding first study day
• Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol

Inclusion criteria - COPD subjects:

• Ability to walk, sit down and stand up independently
• Age 45 years or older
• Ability to lie in supine or elevated position for 8 hours
• Diagnosis of moderate to very severe chronic airflow limitation and compliant to the following criteria: FEV1 < 70% of reference FEV1
• Clinically stable condition and not suffering from a respiratory tract infection or exacerbation of their disease (defined as a combination of increased cough, sputum purulence, shortness of breath, systemic symptoms such as fever, and a decrease in FEV1 > 10% compared with values when clinically stable in the preceding year) at least 4 weeks prior to the first test day
• Shortness of breath on exertion
• Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol

Inclusion criteria - healthy subjects:

• Healthy male & female according to the investigator's or appointed staff's judgment
• Age 45 years and older

Exclusion Criteria - all subjects:

• Any condition that may interfere with the definition 'healthy subject' according to the investigator's judgment (healthy subjects only)
• Established diagnosis of malignancy
• History of untreated metabolic diseases including hepatic or renal disorder
• Presence of acute illness or metabolically unstable chronic illness
• Presence of fever within the last 3 days
• Body mass index >40 kg/m2 (healthy subjects only)
• Any other condition according to the PI or nurse that was found during the screening visit, that would interfere with the study or safety of the patient
• Use of protein or amino acid containing nutritional supplements within 5 days prior first study day
• Current Use of long-term oral corticosteroids (CHF only)
• Use of short course of oral corticosteroids within 4 weeks preceding first study day
• Failure to give informed consent or Investigator's uncertainty about the willingness or ability of the subject to comply with the protocol requirements
• (Possible) pregnancy
• Already enrolled in another clinical trial and that clinical trial interferes with participating in this study