The protective effect of dietary protein restriction on the development and expression of immune-mediated interstitial nephritis was evaluated in Brown Norway rats with anti-tubular basement membrane disease. In the first series of experiments, pair-fed rats received low protein (LP) (3% casein) or normal protein (NP) (27% casein), normocaloric diets. After 6 wk, each group was immunized with renal tubular antigen in adjuvant to produce anti-tubular basement membrane antibody (aTBM-Ab) and tubulointerstitial nephritis. The kidneys harvested from NP rats after four more weeks on the diet had histologically more severe interstitial disease than the LP rats (histologic severity, NP = 3.1±0.2 vs. LP = 1.1±03; P < 0.001), and serum creatinine values were concordantly different (NP = 1.34±0.02 vs. LP = 0.82±0.03). Titers of aTBM-Ab were similar in both groups, while the T cell-mediated immune response, as measured by delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), was nonspecifically impaired in LP rats when compared with the NP group. Admixture cotransfers of LP plus NP cells failed to demonstrate active suppression as an explanation for the depressed DTH in LP rats. The therapeutic role of dietary protein restriction was also examined in rats with established aTBM disease. In these experiments, rats were first immunized and fed NP diets for 4 wk (histologic severity = 3.0±0.2; creatinine = 1.78±0.02), and then were divided into two groups and followed for six more weeks on either LP or NP diets. LP rats, under these conditions, developed less disease than those fed NP diet (histologic severity; NP = 3.2±03 vs. LP = 1.4±0.2; P < 0.001), and serum creatinine values were concordantly different (NP = 1.92±0.05 vs. LP = 0.97±0.02). Again, the titers of aTBM-Ab in both LP and NP groups were similar. These data collectively suggest that LP diet has a protective effect both on the development and extent of tubulointerstitial nephritis that is perhaps, in part, related to the selective abrogation of effector T cell immunity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.