Serum Apolipoprotein A-I, A-II, and HDL-Cholesterol Levels in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

Abstract

Serum apolipoprotein A-I (A-I), A-II (A-II), and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were determined in patients on chronic hemodialysis. They were all decreased in those patients as compared with normal persons (A-I, 96±19 vs. 113±21 U/100ml, mean±S. D., p<0.05; A-II, 87±20 vs. 108±13U/100ml, p<0.001; HDL-C, 19±9 vs. 59±8mg/100ml, p<0.001). The decrease of HDL-C level was more pronounced than the decreases of apolipoprotein levels. Consequently, the ratio of HDL-C/A-I and HDL-C/A-II decreased significantly (HDL-C/A-I, 0.19±0.06 vs. 0.48±0.06, p<0.001; HDL-C/A-II, 0.22±0.08 vs. 0.53±0.10, p<0.001). No significant changes were observed in the ratio of A-I/A-II. These results suggested qualitative. abnormalities in plasma high-density lipoprotein in patients on chronic hemodialysis.