Amino acid profiles and muscle protein composition in rats with a reduced renal mass in the fed state

In severe chronic renal failure (CRF) with associated metabolic acidosis, abnormalities in protein metabolism and amino acid (AA) profiles in the fed state are well described. To evaluate the effect of early uraemia and the influence of acid-base status on protein metabolism and AA profiles, three groups of pair-fed rats were studied: group I – rats with 1+½ nephrectomy; group II – rats with 1+½ nephrectomy receiving NaHCO3 supplementation, and group III – sham-operated rats with NaHCO3 supplementation. After 4 weeks, serum creatinine values were similar in groups I and II (111 ± 5 and 119 ± 4 μmol/l) and higher than in group III (51 ± 5 μmol/l, p 3 was reduced only in group I (22.4 ± 0.8 mmol/l) compared to group II (28.3 ± 0.6 mmol/lp 3 supplementation in group II. The total nonessential AA were higher both in group I (1,832 ± 53 μmol/lp 3 supplementation. These data suggest that either an impaired utilization of the ingested proteins might occur before the appearance of major alterations in endogenous protein metabolism or acid-base status might alter AA metabolic rate per se.