Effect of Whey and Soy Protein Supplements on Inflammation in Adults on Chronic Hemodialysis: A Double-blind...

Inflammation in adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD) may be mitigated by oral nutrition supplements. This study sought to determine the effects of whey and soy protein oral nutrition supplement administered postdialysis on inflammation in adults on chronic HD.

A double-blind randomized crossover controlled trial was conducted with adults on chronic HD (n = 15). Participants were randomized to consume either 135 mL (20 g total protein) of whey protein or soy protein isolate immediately after dialysis for 4 weeks, and then received the other supplement for 4 weeks after a 4-week washout period. Monthly, whole blood was collected to determine high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and serum albumin. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed-effects model were conducted using R, with significance set at P < .05.

On average, participants consumed more whey, 19.3 g ± 1.1 g, compared to soy, 17.3 g ± 3.2 g (P = .02). After accounting for period and sequence, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were 2.1 mg/L lower during the whey period compared with the soy period (P = .04), independent of total supplemental protein consumed. Serum albumin increased significantly when participants received soy first followed by whey (+0.2 ± 0.2 g/dL) compared with the reverse sequence (-0.1 ± 0.2 g/dL; P = .01), indicating a sequence effect.

Whey and soy protein isolates demonstrated different short-term responses with inflammation. Protein type and sequence may impact inflammation, which should be confirmed with lengthier trials.