The role of diet in the pathogenesis and control of hyperlipidemia after renal transplantation.

Twenty-one Caucasian renal transplant recipients with hyperlipidemia and normal renal function were assessed with regard to their diet. Their average daily intake of energy and cholesterol was lower and the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat higher in their diet than in that of a comparable urban Caucasian South African population. Nevertheless modification of their diets in one year produced a significant lowering of their body weight and a statistically significant drop in the mean plasma cholesterol (9.2 +/- 0.5 mmoles/l to 7.6 +/- 0.5 mmoles/l, P less than 0.05). Although the fall in plasma triglyceride in the group as a whole was not statistically significant (3.8 +/- 0.6 mmoles/l to 3.2 +/- 0.5 mmoles/l) the level did decrease substantially in 13 of the 21 patients (4.2 +/- 0.9 mmoles/l to 2.5 +/- 0.5 mmoles/l, P less than 0.01). It is suggested that diet has a definite role in the control of post-transplant hyperlipidemia but should probably be introduced immediately after immunosuppression is started and be coupled with a suitable exercise program for optimal effect.