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Nutrition and Chronic Renal Failure in Rats

What Is an OptimalDietary Protein?

CHRISTIANE L. MEIRELES^*, S. RUSS PRICE, ALINE M. L. PEREIRA^*, JOÃO T. A. CARVALHAES^* and WILLIAM E. MITCH

^* Clinic Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
Renal Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.

Correspondence to Dr. William E. Mitch, Renal Division, WMB 338, Emory University School of Medicine, 1639 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322. Phone: 404-727-2525; Fax: 404-727-3425; E-mail: wmitch{at}emory.edu

Abstract. In chronic uremia (CRF), malnutrition is an important determinant of morbidity in adults and impaired growth in children. Causes of malnutrition include anorexia and abnormal protein and amino acid metabolism. To determine how different levels of dietary protein and CRF interact to influence growth and nutritional status, CRF and sham-operated, pair-fed control rats were fed isocaloric diets containing 8, 17, or 30% protein for 21 d to mimic dietary regimens recommended for CRF patients: the minimum daily requirement; the recommended daily allowance; or an excess of dietary protein. Serum creatinine did not differ between groups of CRF rats but blood urea nitrogen was lowest in CRF rats fed 8% protein (P < 0.001). CRF rats eating 30% protein gained less weight and length compared to their controls or CRF rats fed 8 or 17% protein (P < 0.05); they also had acidemia. CRF rats fed 8% protein had the highest efficiency of utilization of protein for growth, while 17% protein promoted the highest efficiency of utilization of food and calories for growth. Notably, CRF rats eating 30% protein had the lowest protein efficiency; their calorie intake was also the lowest because of anorexia. Plasma branched-chain amino acids were progressively higher in control rats eating 8, 17, or 30% protein. CRF rats fed 8 or 17% protein had lower branched-chain amino acid concentrations compared with CRF rats fed 30% protein. In CRF, it is concluded that excessive dietary protein impairs growth but a low-protein diet does not impair nutritional responses and permits utilization of protein for growth if calories are sufficient.

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Copyright © 2008 by the American Society of Nephrology. Online ISSN: 1533-3450 Print ISSN: 1046-6673