WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Mar 23, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Canadian scientists
suggest a protein extracted from yellow peas may help kidney patients.
The study found laboratory rats with a severe form of kidney disease fed small
daily doses of this protein had blood pressure drop 20 percent below that of the
diseased rats fed only normal diets.
"In people with high blood pressure, our protein could potentially delay or
prevent the onset of kidney damage," study presenter Rotimi Aluko, of the
University of Manitoba in Winnipeg said in a statement. "In people who already
have kidney disease, our protein may help them maintain normal blood pressure
levels so they can live longer."
The purified mixture of small proteins -- pea protein hydrolysate -- was fed to
rats with a severe form of kidney disease. At the end of the 8-week study
period, rats fed the protein also had urine output go up 30 percent -- to within
normal levels.
In both rats and humans with polycystic kidney disease, the condition causes
urine output to be severely reduced and the kidneys are unable to properly
remove dangerous toxins.
The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in
Salt Lake City.
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