Effects of soybean protein and animal protein on renal function of patients with diabetic nephropathy: a Meta-analysis

Objective To evaluate the effects of soybean protein and animal protein on renal function of patients with diabetic nephropathy. Methods In this Meta-analysis, literatures on the effects of soybean protein and animal protein on renal function of patients with diabetic nephropathy published during January 1980 and November 2011 were reviewed and analyzed quantitatively and synthetically by using Meta-analysis RevMan 5.0 software. Results Five case-control studies met the inclusive criteria and entered into random effect model. In comparison with animal protein, soybean protein significantly improved endogenous creatinine clearance rate (weight mean difference (WMD)=-11.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) -16.37 to 6.65), proteinuria (WMD=-0.96, 95% CI -1.36 to -0.58), urine creatinine (WMD=-1.11, 95% CI -1.91 to -0.30), glomerular filtration rate (WMD=0.28, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.68), serum urea nitrogen (WMD=-0.20, 95% CI -0.60 to 0.19) and serum creatinine (WMD=-0.22, 95% CI -0.54 to 0.10). Conclusions Soy protein seems to have potential to improve urine creatinine clearance, urine creatinine, proteinuria and serum urea nitrogen. However, animal protein may contribute to increased glomerular filtration rate. Key words: Soybean proteins; Diabetic nephropathies; Meta-analysis; Animal protein