Serum Lipoprotein and Cholesterol Changes in Nephrectomized Dogs Maintained by Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

The serum lipoproteins and cholesterol were studied in dogs after bilateral nephrectomy. In most cases the animal's life was prolonged by dialysis. Cholesterol and the lower density lipoproteins increased and remained elevated while the high density –S 1–10 fraction usually decreased moderately. Dogs fed a high protein diet exhibited similar but more pronounced lipid changes and arteriolar necrosis, and no correlation was found between elevation of blood pressure and lipid concentration. Ureteral ligation elicited qualitatively similar lipid changes to arenal dogs fed raw kidneys. As one control, well nourished dogs unfed for 5 days showed no significant serum lipid changes. It is suggested that, by analogy, the postnephrectomy lipid pattern may be in part due to action of products of adrenal cortical stimulation.