| Abstract: | The influence of age and food restriction on kidney protein synthesis was studied in Fischer F344 rats. The rate of total protein synthesis by suspensions of kidney cells declined 60% between 4 and 31 months of age. The rate of protein synthesis by kidney cells isolated from 19-month old rats fed a restricted diet (60% of diet consumed by rats fed ad libitum) was 45% higher than the rate of protein synthesis by kidney cells isolated from 19-month old rats fed ad libitum. The excretion of protein in the urine was measured to assess the effect of the age related decline in protein synthesis on kidney function. A dramatic increase in proteinuria was observed with increasing age, and rats fed the restricted diet excreted significantly less protein in the urine than rats fed ad libitum. |
