Dr. Finco et Tl. Cooper, Soy protein increases glomerular filtration rate in dogs with normal or reduced renal function, J NUTR, 130(4), 2000, pp. 745-748
In mammals, protein ingestion increases the glomerular filtration rate (GFR
), an effect which has been incriminated as a risk factor in progression of
renal disease. Some studies suggest that a postprandial increase in GFR is
absent or mild with vegetable proteins compared to animal proteins. The ob
jective of this experiment was to determine whether vegetable (soy) protein
had different effects than animal protein on GFR in dogs with normal or re
duced renal function. A trial was conducted in which GFR was measured in fo
ur dogs with normal kidney function and seven dogs with reduced renal mass
before and after administering protein. Normal dogs were fed four protein s
ources (casein, soy meal, soy flakes and purified soy protein). Dogs with r
educed renal mass were fed three protein sources (casein, purified soy prot
ein and pork liver). All proteins significantly (P < 0.05) increased the GF
R in both groups except for casein (P = 0.066) in normal dogs. Proteins did
not differ significantly in the magnitude of the increase in GFR that was
induced. This study indicates that soy proteins in dogs have the same effec
t on GFR as animal-source proteins, which is contrary to reports of effects
in humans.