Effect of furosemide on the lipid abnormalities in chronic renal failure

The effect of furosemide on the lipoprotein profile and the activities of postherapin plasma lipases were studied in 12 patients with chronic renal failure. The concentrations of serum total, VLDL and LDL triglycerides were significantly higher and the concentration of HDL triglyceride was significantly lower in the patients with renal failure than in healthy controls. HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls. The activity of postherapin lipoprotein lipase was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls. The introduction of furosemide induced a significant increase in the concentrations of VLDL cholesterol and VLDL triglyceride. These changes were reversed when the drug treatment was discontinued. Postherapin lipase activities were not further altered by furosemide.