Plasma lipids and lipoprotein-cholesterol distribution in nephrotic syndrome patients during short term high dose steroid treatment.

Plasma lipids and lipoprotein-cholesterol profiles were studies in 11 consecutive patients (eight females and three males) with the nephrotic syndrome (NS) during a short term treatment with high dose prednisolone. A significant fall from the high mean pre-treatment levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol was demonstrated at four, eight and 12 weeks of treatment (p < 0.005) while the fall in the mean triglyceride level only became significant at eight weeks (p < 0.01). The mean HDL-cholesterol level did not change significantly throughout, although there was a significant rise in the mean HDL-cholesterol total cholesterol ratio at four weeks (p = 0.01) and at both eight and 12 weeks (p < 0.005). The study has demonstrated a significant improvement in the lipids and lipoprotein-cholesterol profile of patients with the nephrotic syndrome during a shortterm high dose steroid treatment.