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, or 20 - 30 for healthy young group

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