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Consumption of krill protein concentrate prevents early renal injury and nephrocalcinosis in female Sprague–Dawley rats

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Abstract

Female Sprague–Dawley rats provide an animal model for studying the role of nutrition in renal health due to their sensitivity to diet-induced alterations in kidney function. Nephrocalcinosis, a common renal abnormality found in rats, has been implicated in subsequent renal failure. Simple dietary manipulations, such as changing the source of dietary protein, may influence nephrocalcinosis. This study evaluates the consumption of krill protein concentrate (KPC), a novel and high-quality protein, on renal and bone health. Young female Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 10/group) were individually housed in metabolic cages and fed ad libitum diets consisting of 10% crude protein supplied as KPC or casein for 4 weeks. Diets were isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and matched for calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Urinary n-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) was measured and kidney histology performed to assess kidney damage. Biomarkers of kidney function were determined by calorimetric assays. Ca and P balance and bone concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Femoral strength was determined by three-point bend testing. Rats fed KPC had lower (P = 0.005) urinary NAG levels and minimal microtubular Ca deposition compared to rats fed casein. There was a tendency (P < 0.06) for higher glomerular filtration rates and lower proteinuria, and higher (P = 0.03) urinary output in rats fed KPC compared to casein. There were no differences in Ca and P balance or bone measurements of total bone mineral content, Ca, P or strength between rats fed KPC and casein. Based on the study results, KPC prevented early renal injury leading to nephrocalcinosis and potential bone loss.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Louis McDonald for the use of the ICP, the lab of Dr. Matthew Wilson and the West Virginia University Tissue Bank/Pathology Laboratory for Translational Research for assistance with the histologies, and Elizabeth Joan Wright, Maria Dalzot, and Kayla Bridges for their technical support. Funding for the study was provided by the West Virginia University Agriculture and Forestry Experimental Station H459.

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  1. Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6108, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Joseph C. Gigliotti, Amber L. Smith, Jacek Jaczynski & Janet C. Tou

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  1. Joseph C. Gigliotti
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  2. Amber L. Smith
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  3. Jacek Jaczynski
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  4. Janet C. Tou
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Correspondence to Janet C. Tou.

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Gigliotti, J.C., Smith, A.L., Jaczynski, J. et al. Consumption of krill protein concentrate prevents early renal injury and nephrocalcinosis in female Sprague–Dawley rats. Urol Res 39, 59–67 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-010-0261-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-010-0261-x

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