Bromelain may go a long way toward relieving some types of Inflammation, but that doesn't mean this applies to renal disease. Inflammation of the kidneys is best treated with conventional medicine because it can be indicative of chronic kidney diseases that cause renal failure. If you have high urine protein, edema or other symptoms of inflammation of the kidneys, be sure to discuss this with your doctor promptly to prevent further damage.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a supplement that contains protease enzymes from the pineapple plant. Proteases are a class of enzymes that cleave, or split, proteins. For example, protease enzymes in the gut help digest proteins. Apart from their function in the body, protease enzymes are often used as meat tenderizers because cleaving protein molecules makes the meat less tough.
Uses of Bromelain
Alternative practitioners claim bromelain reduces symptoms of inflammation such as swelling and pain associated with surgery and physical injuries such as sprains. Peer-reviewed, evidence-based research shows that bromelain has anti-inflammatory effects in mice and rats. Further clinical studies in humans are needed to further assess this property and determine optimal dosages.
Mechanism of Action
Healthy kidneys filter blood and keep proteins in the blood from leaking into the urine. Healthy people have little or no protein in their blood, whereas high urine protein, or proteinuria, is one of the first symptoms of kidney disease. The exact mechanism is poorly understood. A "Science Daily" article suggests that proteinuria is the result of an inflammatory process. Changes in permeability of the glomerular membrane may also be implicated, as proteins do not normally pass through this membrane.
Treatment Considerations
There are no clinical studies or even animal studies that suggest bromelain has any benefit in reducing proteinuria. Moreover, reaching for an anti-inflammatory agent is not always the healthiest approach because not all anti-inflammatory substances are helpful. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such such as ibuprofen, make kidney problems significantly worse. The first step taken by many nephrologists is to try an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, better known as an ACE inhibitor. While ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure, they also relieve proteinuria. Prednisone is also helpful when the level of urine protein is very high.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bromelain
- "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases"; Dietary Supplementation With Fresh Pineapple Juice Decreases Inflammation and Colonic Neoplasia in IL-10-deficient Mice With Colitis; L.P. Hale et al.; December 2010
- "Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences"; Bromelain: Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Medical Use; H.R Maurer; August 2001
- "Pharmacology"; In Vivo and In Vitro Effects of Bromelain on PGE(2) and SP Concentrations in the Inflammatory Exudate in Rats; L.Gaspani et al.; May 2002
- University of Washington: Filtration Membrane
- "Science Daily": Inflammation of the Kidney
