The effect of renal transplantation with a minimal steroid regime on uraemic hypertriglyceridaemia.

We have studied the lipid and associated biochemical indices in 18 renal transplant patients maintained on an alternate day prednisolone regime. At an average 27 months following transplantation serum lipids were not significantly different from normals despite some renal impairment in the transplant recipients. In addition the blood sugar and plasma immunoreactive insulin levels were elevated in transplanted patients. The intravenous fat tolerance test (IVFTT) was not found to be different from that of normals. In some patients IVFTT was performed before and after transplantation and it was shown that K2 (fractional removal rate of Intralipid) improved from abnormal to normal values. Thus, it has been demonstrated that previously abnormal lipid levels can return to normal after transplantation and this may be related to alternate day steroid regimes. Impaired removal of triglyceride seen in chronic renal failure is improved by transplantation.