EFFECTS OF DIETARY-PROTEIN ON URINARY CALCIUM IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH NEPHROLITHIASIS

The effect of high-protein diets on the excretion of calcium in urine was evaluated in four normal persons and in four patients with nephrolithiasis. All subjects were housed in a metabolic unit and given constant metabolic diets each day containing 0.5 g protein/kg and 300-600 mg calcium, 1000 mg phosphorus, and 69 mEq sodium. During the experimental phase, each person received an additional 1.5 g protein/kg/day consisting of purified casein, gluten, lactalbumin, and gelatin. There was a consistent increase in urinary calcium with the high-protein diet, averaging 88% above control in the normals and 82% in the patients. In addition, the normal subjects showed significant (p < 0.05) increases in urinary phosphorus (mean increases, 219 ± 53 mg/d, mean ± SE), nitrogen (8.8 ± 0.9 g/d), titratable acid (19 ± 5 mEq/d), and ammonium (22 ± 3 mEq/d), whereas the patients showed increases in urinary magnesium (18 ± 2 mg/d), nitrogen (12 ± 1.0 g/d), and ammonium (34 ± 2 mEq/d), and in creatinine clearance (14 ± 3 ml/min). In both groups, there was a small increase in the filtered, excreted, and reabsorbed calcium and a small decrease in the percentage reabsorption of calcium. Serum chemical values did not change from values with the low-protein diet. In two of the patients who were known to be hyperabsorbing calcium, sodium cellulose phosphate (chelator of intestinal calcium) reversed the increase in urinary calcium produced by the high-protein diet. In the remaining patients, neither sodium cellulose phosphate nor a low-calcium diet could counteract the increase in excretion of calcium with the diet. It is concluded that a high-protein diet can increase urinary calcium by altering renal function and/or increasing intestinal absorption of calcium and that dietary protein must be considered in the evaluation and treatment of patients with hypercalciuria and nephrolithiasis. © 1979.