Dietary protein metabolism by gut microbiota and its consequences for chronic kidney disease patients

The breakdown of proteins and peptides by colonic microorganisms yields a great diversity of end products, including short-chain fatty acids, ammonia, amines, phenols, indoles, thiols, CO2, H2 and H2S, many of which have toxic properties. An increase of the dietary protein load in healthy individuals results in enhanced generation of these toxins, many of which are rapidly cleared by the kidneys. In this regard, the impact upon the colonic microbiota of controlled changes in the dietary protein has not been examined in chronic kidney disease patients. This review focuses on the impact of dietary proteins on the intestinal microbiota and its possible consequences for chronic kidney disease patients.