Influence of Dietary Protein on Glomerular Binding of Angiotensin II in Virgin and Pregnant Normotensive and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

The effect of varying dietary protein intake from 16% to 35% (w/w) on glomerular binding of angiotensin II (AngII) has been studied in virgin and pregnant normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Although the higher protein diet caused an increase in AngII binding by glomeruli from both virgin and pregnant nomotensive rats a reduction was noted in virgin spontaneously hypertensive rats. These changes in binding were unassociated with any change in the binding affinity constant and unrelated to changes in blood pressure or plasma renin activity in any of the groups of rats studied. The protein-induced changes in glomerular AngII binding cannot explain the increase in glomerular plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate known to occur in response to an increase in protein intake.