The Effects of Controlled Intake of Selected Protein Foods on Nephrectomized Rats

Abstract

Dietary management of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) has 
remained a very tasking one, especially as it affects the source and quantity of 
protein in diets. This study was carried out to determine the effects of lowprotein diets from common protein foods on 36 ⅔-nephrectomized albino rats 
(NR). NR were placed on isocaloric 14% protein diets incorporating cooked 
beef (A), smoked catfish (B), cooked beef and smoked catfish (C), cooked 
beef, smoked catfish and sun-dried, hulled, red cowpeas (D), cooked egg 
white (E), and sun-dried hulled, red cowpeas (F) for a period of six months 
during which food intake, anthropometric parameters, blood urea and serum 
creatinine levels were measured. Food intake decreased significantly (p<0.05) 
in the NR placed on all experimental diets, with F>A>C=D>B>E. The same 
trend was obtained for body weight gains. All the NR had proteinuria and 
reduction in 24–hour urine output; these were greatest in NR placed on diet F 
and lowest in those on diets E and B. Blood urea and serum creatinine levels 
of NR on diet E were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the corresponding 
levels for NR on diets B>C>A>D>F. In conclusion, this study has shown that 
cooked egg white and smoked catfish had more beneficial effects on food 
intake, anthropometric parameters, blood urea and creatinine levels in NR. It 
is recommended that low-protein diets containing egg white and fish be 
offered to patients suffering from early to moderately severe CRF as 
conservative therapy to ameliorate its symptoms in patients.