High-protein diets and renal status in rats

• Main Authors: V. A. Aparicio, E. Nebot, R. García-del Moral, M. Machado-Vílchez, J. M. Porres, C. Sánchez, P. Aranda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Arán Ediciones, S. L. 2013-02-01
• Series: Nutrición Hospitalaria
• Subjects: Dieta hiperproteica; Plasma; Orina; Riñón; Morfología renal; Ratas
• Online Access: http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0212-16112013000100033&lng=en&tlng=en

Introduction: High-protein (HP) diets might affect renal status. We aimed to examine the effects of a HP diet on plasma, urinary and morphological renal parameters in rats. Material and methods: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly distributed in 2 experimental groups with HP or normal-protein (NP) diets over 12 weeks. Results and discussion: Final body weight was a 10% lower in the HP group (p < 0.05) whereas we have not observed differences on food intake, carcass weight and muscle ashes content. No significant clear differences were observed on plasma parameters, whereas urinary citrate was an 88% lower in the HP group (p = 0.001) and urinary pH a 15% more acidic (p < 0.001). Kidney wet mass was ~22 heavier in the HP group (p < 0.001). Renal mesangium area was a 32% higher in the HP group (p < 0.01). Glomerular 1 and 2 were also ~30 higher in the HP diet (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) and glomerular area a 13% higher (p < 0.01). Conclusion: High-protein diet promoted a worse renal profile, especially on urinary and morphological markers, which could increase the risk for developing renal diseases in the long time.