IS DIETARY INTERVENTION EFFECTIVE IN POSTTRANSPLANT HYPERLIPIDEMIA

Current therapies for hyperlipidaemia following renal transplantation include modification of dietary fat. We examined the effect of dietary intervention according to the American Heart Association Step One die t on serum lipids and lipoproteins among 26 men and women with post-tr ansplant hyperlipidaemia. Weighed dietary records showed that the inta ke of total fat decreased from 30 to 27% and the intake of saturated f at decreased from 12 to 8% of total calories. Body-weight remained sta ble throughout the study. Serum total, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were unchanged following 12 weeks of therapy. Serum triglyceride level s decreased slightly. The decrease was seen only in participants with a body mass index <26 kg/m(2), compared to those whose body mass index was greater than or equal to 26 kg/m(2) (0.4 versus 0 mmol/l; P=0.03) . Serum LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly cor related with serum creatinine levels. In conclusion, among renal trans plant recipients, hyperlipidaemia appears to be partly related to impa irment of renal function, and may not be responsive to modification of dietary fat without weight reduction attempted on an outpatient basis .