Reducing dietary protein intake to retard progression of diabetic nephropathy

End-stage renal disease is a frequent complication of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have demonstrated that abnormal intrarenal hemodynamics contribute to the progression of chronic renal failure in several models of renal disease, including the diabetic rat. Restriction of dietary protein intake has been demonstrated to normalize these abnormalities and retard progression of renal failure. Limited studies in human subjects suggest a similar beneficial effect, and trials are now underway in diabetic patients with renal failure to clearly establish efficacy of this approach.