Erythrocyte lipids in chronic renal failure.

The erythrocyte cholesterol, total phospholipid and individual phospholipids content have been determined in patients with chronic renal failure, resulting from glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis. The rise in total phospholipid, confined predominantly to the sphingomyelin and lecithin classes was found. It was often accompanied by decrease in the phosphatidylethanol-amine content. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was found to be reduced. The excessive lipid loss during incubation of erythrocytes in glucose-rich medium has been observed in some patients.