Abnormal lipoprotein in uraemic patients treated conservatively and by maintenance haemodialysis.

Observations of serum lipids and lipoproteins in 35 uraemic patients treated conservatively (20 cases) and by maintenance haemodialysis (15 cases) are presented. Serum triglycerides levels of both groups (243.7 +/- 119.1 and 160.8 +/- 55.0 mg/dl) were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels (19.0 +/- 6.1 and 12.17 +/- 5.1 mg/dl) were significantly lower (p less than 0.001) in comparison to those in 20 controls. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed a second, slow migrating pre-beta band in significantly higher percentage of uraemics (55% and 93.3%) as compared to controls (25%). Until the effects of uraemia and chronic haemodialysis on lipoprotein metabolism are better understood, caution should be exercised in the interpretation of HDLC levels in these patients.