Response of hepatic proteins to the lowering of habitual dietary protein to the recommended safe level of intake

Abstract

The plasma concentrations of albumin, HDL apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), retinol-binding protein (RBP), transthyretin (TTR), haptoglobulin, and fibrinogen were measured, and a stable isotope infusion protocol was used to determine the fractional and absolute synthesis rates of RBP, TTR, and fibrinogen in 12 young adults on three occasions during a reduction of their habitual protein intake from 1.13 to 0.75 g·kg−1·day−1for 10 days. This study was performed to determine whether healthy adults could maintain the rates of synthesis of selected nutrient transport and positive acute-phase proteins when consuming a protein intake of 0.75 g·kg−1·day−1. During the lower protein intake, the plasma concentration of all the proteins, other than HDL-apoA1, remained unchanged. HDL-apoA1 concentration was significantly reduced ( P < 0.05) after 3 days of the lower protein intake, but not at 10 days. The rates of synthesis of RBP and TTR declined significantly ( P < 0.05), whereas the rate of synthesis of fibrinogen remained unchanged. The results indicate that, when normal adults consume the recommended safe level of protein, 0.75 g·kg−1·day−1, there is a slower rate of turnover of nutrient transport proteins than on their habitual diet. Hence, healthy individuals consuming this amount of protein may be less able to mount an adequate metabolic response to a stressful stimulus.