Low protein diet causes a decrease in serum concentrations of leptin and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in patients with conservatively treated chronic renal failure.
BACKGROUND
Chronic renal failure (CRF) provokes derangement in various hormonal regulations of food intake and energy expenditure. In the present study, we have examined the effect of a low protein, low phosphorus diet on circulating levels of leptin, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and insulin in patients with CRF.


METHODS
Seventeen male, non-diabetic subjects with conservatively treated CRF (estimated creatinine clearance 39.5 +/- 11.1 mL/min), and proteinuria below 2 g/day were prospectively studied. Measurements of hormonal, metabolic and anthropometric parameters were performed before and after 16 weeks of dietary treatment (protein 0.6 g/kg of ideal body mass, 30% of calories derived from fat, 62% of calories derived from carbohydrates and 10 mg/kg of phosphorus). Actual dietary intake in patients was measured by using 3-day food records and was supervised by the dietician.


RESULTS
Body mass index and body fat mass remained unchanged during the 4 months of dietary treatment. Urea, leptin, and TNF-alpha serum concentrations decreased significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
A low protein, low phosphorus diet reduces TNF-alpha and leptin levels in plasma. The effect on leptin appears not to be mediated by an insulin-dependent mechanism.
Kozłowska
Lucyna
L
Department of Dietetics and Functional Foods, Warsaw Agricultural University, Warsaw, Poland.
Rosołowska-Huszcz
Danuta
D
Rydzewski
Andrzej
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D020738:Leptin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha