The study looked at how protein is made and broken down in the muscles of rats with kidney problems. They found that in fed rats, muscle protein was made and broken down at similar rates, but the breakdown of muscle fibers was higher in rats with kidney issues. When the rats were not fed, the ones with kidney problems lost more weight and had lower muscle protein production, higher breakdown rates, and more muscle loss compared to healthy rats. The researchers also saw changes in body fat levels in rats with kidney issues, which affected how their muscles broke down protein. Overall, kidney problems can lead to changes in muscle protein turnover, especially when the body is under stress.