Effect of dietary protein restriction on the development of renal failure after subtotal nephrectomy in rats

We have examined the effect of a low protein diet on the development of glomerular sclerosis and progressive renal failure after subtotal nephrectomies in rats. Two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied after five-sixths nephrectomy; group 1 were maintained on a normal diet (13.5 g day-1 kg-1 body weight) and group 2 were fed with a low protein diet (6 g day-1 kg-1 body weight). Rats maintained on a low protein diet survived for longer, and had significantly less glomerular sclerosis and significantly greater glomerular filtration rates when the experiment ended after 7 months. We conclude that dietary protein influences favourably the development of glomerular scarring and renal failure after subtotal nephrectomy in rats.