[Serum apolipoprotein abnormalities in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome]

We measured serum lipid and apolipoprotein (apo) levels in 45 patients with normal renal function at different stages of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS). Wide abnormalities of lipid metabolism were found. The characteristic disorder of serum apos in NS was a decrease in apoAI and AII and a significant increase in apoB, CII, and CIII. Consequently, the ratio of apoAI to apoB was significantly decreased. Some patients with NS in remission had normal serum lipid concentrations, but abnormalities of serum apos were still observed. It is suggested that the nephrotic patients may be at increasing risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), and that apos may be more sensitive predicators of CHD than lipids.