Contrast enhanced ultrasound and protein shakes are no alternatives for inulin clearance and meat to assess renal functional reserve in humans

In this study we assessed whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a valuable alternative to the gold standard inulin-clearance, and whether L-arginine or protein shakes lead to similar changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as animal proteins in men and women. Methods: Changes in GFR and renal microperfusion were studied in 25 healthy subjects (8 men, 17 women) by simultaneously performing inulin clearance and CEUS (perfusion index, PI) before and 1 and 2 hours after different protein loads (L-arginine, protein shake or meat). Doppler parameters - renal resistive index (RRI) and pulsatility index (PuI) - were also measured Results: None of the oral protein loads induced significant changes in CEUS-assessed PI. Only meat increased inulin clearance (from 111.2 ±16.0 to 149.8±27.2 ml/min, p
Source: Kidney and Blood Pressure Research - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research