Serum lipoprotein concentrations in chronic uremia

The concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol have been determined in the three major serum lipoprotein classes—very low, low, and high density lipoproteins—in 39 fasting patients with chronic uremia. The findings were similar for male and female uremics and consisted of raised concentrations of triglycerides in very low and low density lipoproteins but very low concentrations of cholesterol in low density lipoproteins and still lower in high density lipoproteins. With the conventional typing system for hyperlipidaemia, type IIA, III, and IV were present in 6, 9, and 30%, respectively. The ratio between cholesterol and triglycerides was higher than in the controls in very low density lipoproteins but lower in low density lipoproteins. The possible mechanisms behind this abnormality are discussed, and the clinical importance of hypertriglyceridemia and the low high density lipoprotein cholesterol level is stressed.