[Disturbances of lipid metabolism following renal transplantation (author's transl)].

The serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and the lipoprotein electrophoretic pattern were investigated in 33 kidney transplant recipients. These patients showed elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in comparison with a group of healthy control subjects. Lipoprotein electrophoresis showed a predomination of types II a, II b and IV, according to Frederickson. The causes of the disturbances in lipid metabolism are discussed. There is a definite risk of cardiovascular disease in kidney transplant patients as a consequence of the altered lipid metabolism.