Role of Lipoproteins in Progressive Renal Disease

Renal diseases are often associated with hyperlipoproteinemia and dyslipoproteinemia. Total serum cholesterol and triglycerides are increased in nephrotic syndrome regardless of etiology. Approximately 40 to 50% of patients with renal insufficiency requiring hemodialysis show hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipoproteinemia. During chronic hemodialysis, high doses of unfractionated heparin deplete post-heparin lipolytic activity and aggravate dyslipoproteinemia. Hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipoproteinemia are often encountered in patients taking glucocorticoids and cyclosporin A after renal transplantation. Observations in experimental animals and in patients with genetically determined and acquired hyperlipidemias suggest that lipids can damage the kidney and lead to glomerulosclerosis