Growth in experimental renal failure: role of calorie and amino acid intake

In order to evaluate the role of calorie and protein intake in growth impairment due to chronic renal failure (CRF), a subtotal nephrectomy was performed in weanling Wistar rats. A two-thirds reduction of renal function was obtained, which induced a marked growth retardation. Growth retardation was identical in nephrectomized and in pair-fed controls, and thus appeared to be entirely due to a deficient food intake. Using low protein diets, administration of a supplement with small amounts of essential amino acids (EAA) resulted in accelerated growth associated with a higher calorie intake, a better utilization of ingested calories for growth and a greater fall of blood urea nitrogen concentration.