Effects of dietary protein on eicosanoid production and on the activity of related enzymes in glomeruli and tubules.

Glomeruli obtained from rats fed a high-protein diet for 8 weeks produce increased amounts of eicosanoids due to greater activity of both PE-specific phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase. Eicosanoid synthesis in response to angiotensin II is also greater in glomeruli from rats fed a high-protein diet when compared to rats fed a low-protein diet. There was also increased synthesis of eicosanoids in medullary/papillary tubules but not in proximal cortical tubules of rats fed a high-protein diet. This appears to be due to increased activity of PC-specific phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase in medullary/papillary tubules.