Effect of Dialysis Schedule on Lipids, Lipoproteins and Apolipoproteins in Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract

The aim of this study is to trace the possible effects of hemodialysis schedule (twice versus thrice) on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins. The study included 3 groups; group (A) of 18 patients under regular hemodialysis twice weekly; group (B) of 17 patients under regular hemodialysis thrice weekly; group (C) of 23 normal controls. All cases were subjected to full history, clinical examination assessment of blood urea, serum creatinine, fasting serum total lipids, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, lipoprotein pattern, apolipoproteins-A and –B as well as total proteins, albumin and plasma malondialdehyde level. We detected raised levels of malondialdehyde, total lipids, total cholesterol and triacylglycerols in dialysis groups (A&B) versus controls but no significant difference in these parameters between groups A and B. No difference was detected in phospholipids, total proteins, and serum albumin among the three groups. However alpha-lipoprotein level was lower and beta-lipoprotein was higher in twice weekly dialysis patients group (A) than both normal and thrice weekly dialysis group (B). No difference in prebeta- lipoprotein pattern was detected among the three groups. Apolipoprotein-A was lower than normal controls in both dialysis groups (A&B) with insignificant difference between both groups, whereas no difference was detected in apolipoprotein–B level among the three groups. It is concluded that higher levels of β-lipoprotein and malondialdehyde (which are considered atherogenic) and lower level of alpha-lipoproteins (which are considered protective) in twice weekly regimen dialysis may expose these patients to higher risk of atherosclerotic complications.