Lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins abnormalities in patients undergoing dialysis.

Twenty hemodialysis (HD) patients and 20 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) were investigated for lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins abnormalities. HD patients had elevated serum triglyceride, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), while CAPD patients had elevated total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Apolipoprotein B (Apo B), Apo B/Apo A-I ratio, and decreased HDL-C, Apo A-I. Because of the molecular sieving effects of peritoneum, CAPD have a negative effect on these abnormalities. CAPD patients might be at greater risk of developing coronary artery disease than HD patients who are also at increased risk as compared with normals.