Summary
This study examined whether the effects of protein restriction and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on the progression of renal failure are common or additive. Male Sprague Dawley rats (12 wks of age) underwent 5/6 nephrectomy and were randomized to 20% protein diet (PD) (n=9), 20% PD+enalapril (5 mg/kg/day) (n=10), 20% PD+felodipine (30 mg/kg/day) (n=9), 6% PD (n=9), 6% PD+enalapril (n=9) or 6% PD+felodipine (n=10). Protein restriction, enalapril or felodipine treatment all retarded progression of renal failure and development of glomerular lesions. Protein restriction and enalapril appeared to have additive effects in preventing glomerular sclerosis.