Serum lipoprotein abnormalities in renal allograft recipients.

Detailed lipid composition of serum and isolated lipoprotein fractions in male and female transplant recipients has been determined. Results have been compared with appropriate controls and a number of abnormalities have become apparent: (i) Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels were significantly elevated in transplant recipients. (ii) All lipid classes VLDL were significantly increased in both male and female patients. (iii) LDL-total cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid were significantly raised in female transplant patients, but this was true only for LDL-triglyceride in male patients. (iv) In female patients, HDL-total cholesterol and -triglyceride were significantly elevated, while in male patients, HDL-total cholesterol, but not HDL-triglyceride, was significantly greater than in controls. (v) The ratio of esterified to free cholesterol was significantly reduced in HDL of female transplant recipients. Results from correlation analysis suggest a relationship between some of the lipid abnormalities and renal function in female patients, while in male patients only immunosuppressive therapy is implicated.