Substituting animal protein with Soy protein pronounces cardio and nephroprotection in CKD

Previous studies have mentioned that a low-protein diet (LPD) combined with KA offers cardio and nephroprotection in CKD patients. The partial replacement of the animal protein with dietary SP offers more pronounced nephro and cardioprotection in such cases. However, there is a need for more data in this context, and more data must be collected.

Considering this, the present RCT, led by Ludmila Yu. Milovanova compared the effects of 2 types of diets on nephro and cardioprotection in CKD parameters. These were the main parameters.

The study could be summarised as follows:

• The study included 85 CKD patients (stages 3b to 4).
• Researchers monitored 43 patients of Group 1 who consumed LPD with soy (60% SP + 40% of other vegetable proteins) plus KA in 12 month period.
• Forty-two patients of the control group/Group 2 consumed conventional LPD (60% animal protein and +40% of vegetable protein) + KA in 12 months.

• The researchers compared conventional LPD vs. one with primarily soy protein. On substituting animal protein with SP, there was a delayed decrease in eGFR (−5.9% vs −11.3%)

• SP diet delayed the increase in left ventricle hypertrophy (+4.7% vs +12.3%), central systolic BP (+2.6% vs +13.0%), and augmentation index (+7.6% vs +23.3%).
• SP delayed a decrease in lean body mass in males and females, +0.9% vs −11.2% and −1.8% vs −10.3%, respectively.
• SP delayed an increase in phosphorus, cholesterol and urea serum levels, with values recorded as −10.3% vs +13.0%, −10.7% vs −3.4% and +6.3% vs +19.6%, respectively, with the soy protein diets.

To conclude, soy proteins in CKD patients offer nephroprotection and cardioprotection. This is because:

• It maintains muscle mass, thereby maintaining nutritional status.
• It slows down the decrease in eGFR.
• It diminishes hypertrophy of the left ventricle.
• It reduces the serum levels of phosphorus, cholesterol and urea.

Further reading:

Naga, Yassin Shams Eldien, et al. "Single Incision Needle Knife Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Elsevier BV, Nov. 2022. https://www.jrnjournal.org/article/S1051-2276%2822%2900204-7/pdf#articleInformation