Lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in uremia. Influence of treatment with protein-reduced diet and essential amino acids.

The effects of low protein diet on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in uremia were investigated in 22 patients treated during a period of 3--18 months (mean 9.5 months). Before treatment, the patients showed elevated serum triglycerides, low alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced glucose elimination rate. There were no major changes in mean serum lipid or carbohydrate metabolism variables during treatment. The arachidonic acid content of lecithin decreased while linoleic acid increased during treatment. While the dietary treatment was effective in ameliorating uremic symptoms, it did evidently not influence the deranged lipid/carbohydrate metabolism.