Abstract
Since it is suggested that low hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL) activity may cause serum intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) retention and could be regulated by low serum triiodethyronine (T3) concentrations in uremia, thyroid hormone powder or T3 was administered to 24 hemodialysis patients at a daily dose of 50mg per the powder or 25μg per T3 for 2 months. Before and after the administration, following chemical analysis were performed, ie, serum levels of lipids and lipoproteins, postheparin lipolytic activity which consists of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and H-TGL activity and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly decreased while high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels remained unchanged. With respect to serum lipoprotein levels, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and IDL decreased significantly, while low density lipoprotein (LDL) with normalized chemical composition increased. These changes were confirmed by the partial improvement of uremic electrophoretic profiles which usually have mid-band at a frequency of 50%. Moreover, there was a selective elevation of H-TGL activity but not of LPL activity.
The results in the present study suggest that the supplement of thyriod hormone may have an effect on serum lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities, particularly IDL retention, in chronic hemodialysis patients.
