Serum triglyceride levels in uremic patients receiving polyacrylonitrile dialysis

Fasting levels of serum triglycerides cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were studied in 20 uremic patients with persistent high triglyceride levels receiving polyacrylonitrile dialysis. Up to the sixth month of the trial there was no change in cholesterol and high density lipoprotein; on the contrary, triglyceride levels decreased progressively and reached at the fourth month the normal range. A statistical significative difference (p greater than 0.01) could be detected between cuprophane and polyacrylonitrile dialysis triglyceride levels. A diffusive procedure using polyacrylonitrile is good enough to lower high triglyceride levels, but treatment must be prolonged for four months at least.