Renal glutamine metabolism in rats fed high-protein diets

The influence of protein intake on acid excretion and renal glutamine metabolism was investigated and compared to the effects of NH4Cl-induced metabolic acidosis. Rats fed a diet containing 55% casein excreted more ammonia, phosphate, sulphate, and chloride than did rats fed a 13% casein diet, but, when they were given an 0.1 M NaHCO3 solution to drink, ammonia excretion was no longer elevated. Renal phosphate-dependent glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities, ammoniagenesis by isolated mitochondria, and the rate of renal gluconeogenesis were all elevated in the rats fed the high-protein diet but not if these rats also drank the sodium bicarbonate solution. Increased glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities, mitochondrial ammoniagenesis, and gluconeogenesis were all evident in rats made acidotic with NH4Cl. It is concluded that these metabolic adaptations evident in the kidneys of rats fed the high-protein diet are due to the acidogenic effects of increased protein intake.