Evidence for a role of proteins, lipids, and phytochemicals in the prevention of polycystic kidney disease progression and severity

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a heritable disease characterized by renal cysts and is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Dietary intervention offers a potentially efficacious, cost-effective, and safe therapeutic option for PKD. The aim of this article was to review studies investigating the effect of dietary components on PKD and potential mechanisms of action. Low-protein diets are commonly recommended for PKD patients, but inconsistent findings in human and animal PKD studies suggest that the type rather the amount of protein may be of greater importance. Dietary soy protein has been shown to have renal protective effects in various animal models of PKD. Other than dietary proteins, studies investigating the role of the amount and type of dietary lipids on PKD progression are increasing. The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can alter multiple steps in PKD pathogenesis. Phytoestrogens and phytochemicals are other dietary compounds shown to attenuate cyst pathogenesis in animal studies. A better understanding of the role of nutrition in PKD can contribute to the development of dietary recommendations and diet-based therapies to reduce PKD progression and severity.