Effect of methylprednisolone therapy on lipoprotein metabolism in human nephrotic syndrome

Changes in the lipoprotein metabolism of 15 patients with nephrotic syndrome concomitant with various types of the underlying renal disease after methylprednisolone therapy were investigated. Following methylprednisolone therapy, nephrotic syndrome remission was achieved only in three patients with minimal change disease. In these patients, total cholesterol (TC) and free cholesterol (FC) decreased and an increase in HDL-C and the HDL-C/TC ratio was found. In the remaining 12 patients, while marked proteinuria persisted after therapy, a significant increase in HDL-C (from 1.38 to 1.83 mmol/l) was noted with no significant changes in TC, FC and TG. Our results suggest that methylprednisolone may affect lipoprotein metabolism without necessarily exerting a favourable effect on the course of kidney disease.