Abstract
According to Newburgh and Curtis 1 the type of protein fed, with respect to its amino acid content, appeared to be the most important element in the nephropathogenic action of a high protein diet. Intestinal putrefaction, however, may also play a rôle. In attempting to study these factors 36 rats were divided into 9 groups for feeding purposes. The diets contained: Salt mixture, 4%; sucrose, 14 to 15%; agar, 2%; yeast powder, 8 to 10%; 140 mg. cod liver oil per rat per day; butter fat, 15%, except in diets VII, VIII and IX; starch to make 100 parts after protein was added. The diets contained protein as follows:
Group I. 20% casein (control).
Group II. 50% casein.
Group III. 30% egg albumin and 20% casein.
Group IV. 30% meat powder and 20% casein.
Group V. 30% powdered horn, 10% casein and 10% meat powder.
Group VI. 30% hydrolyzed horn, 10% casein and 10% meat powder.
Group VII. 60% casein and 10% meat powder.
Group VIII. 50% predigested casein, 10% casein and 10% meat powder.
Group IX. 60% casein (Harris) and 10% meat powder.
The horn was used because it was difficult to digest and should be the source of more putrefactive substances in the intestine. The hydrolyzed horn, predigested casein and finely divided casein (Harris) were used to see whether putting the proteins in a more rapidly absorbable form might have any effect.
One rat in each group was killed by chloroform after 19, 35, 70, and 135 days of feeding and the kidneys removed, weighed, sectioned, stained and examined histologically.
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