HIGH CASEIN-LACTALBUMIN DIET ACCELERATES BLOOD-COAGULATION IN RATS

This study investigates the influence of a high protein intake on norm al hemostasis, fluid balance and organ growth. Adult rats were fed sem ipurified diets that contained either 18 or 56 g/100 g casein-lactalbu min for 2 wk, and the following functions were measured: food and wate r intake, weight gain, blood pressure, bleeding and clotting time, ADP -stimulated platelet aggregation, thrombin time, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time. Although food intake was depressed by the high protein diet, weight gain was not affected by the regimen. Water consumption, 24-h urine excretion and kidney weight were significantl y greater in rats fed the high protein diet than in controls. High pro tein intake resulted in shorter barbiturate-induced sleeping time. Ble eding time and clotting time were significantly lower in rats fed the high protein diet for 7 d. However, heart rate, mean arterial pressure , plasma protein and osmolarity, platelet aggregation, prothrombin tim e, partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time did not differ signif icantly. Because a high protein intake caused rapid coagulation of blo od in rats without affecting the activity of clotting factors, we sugg est that this diet sensitized rats to factors that initiate clotting i n vivo.