Effect of low protein diet and surplus of essential amino acids on the serum concentration and the urinary excretion of methylguanidine and guanidinosuccinic acid in chronic renal failure.

Abstract

20 patients with moderate renal failure (serum creatinine 4.5--12.0 mg/dl) and some uremic symptoms on a diet ad libitum were treated with a high caloric diet containing 0.5--0.7 g/kg/day protein, supplemented with eight essential amino acids and histidine in the form of solution and/or granules. During the treatment uremic symptoms subsided or diminished without the signs of malnutrition, SUN and the ratio SUN/S-creatinine fell and the nitrogen balance and the ratio N-balance/intake N improved. The serum concentration and the urinary excretion of MG and GSA of the 12 patients were determined by Stein's method using the modified Sakaguchi reaction. In all patients, the serum concentration and the urinary excretion of MG and GSA diminished remarkably during the treatment with a low protein diet alone and furthermore with a low protein diet and essential amino acid supply. We concluded that conservative treatment -- low nitrogen diet supplemented with sufficient calories and essential amino acids -- improved the nutritional state of uremic subjects, and decreased the metabolic production of MG and GSA. The results show that the supplementation of essential amino acids to uremic patients may be a useful treatment.