Lipid metabolism in acute and chronic renal failure.

Abstract

Abstract In acute renal failure, fasting plasma triglyceride and plasma free fatty acids (F.F.A.) may be high, and plasma cholesterol may be low. The abnormality in the latter two measurements appears related to the severity of the condition. Very high plasma F.F.A. levels in acute renal failure are dramatically reduced by hemodialysis. In chronic renal failure, fasting plasma triglyceride may be high; F.F.A. and cholesterol are usually normal. In acute and chronic renal failure abnormal glucose tolerance is usual, and intravenous glucose produces a greater fall in plasma F.F.A. which persists for a longer time than in normal subjects. In acute renal failure glucose tolerance and the response of plasma F.F.A. to intravenous glucose return toward normal when clinical improvement occurs. It is suggested that plasma F.F.A. levels may be used in patients with renal failure to determine if carbohydrate intake is sufficient to prevent utilization of body fat stores.