Hyperlipidemia in the Nephrotic Syndrome

Although all agree that elevations in serum lipid levels are an integral part of the nephrotic syndrome, almost every other aspect of this secondary hyperlipidemia has been a source of controversy. The study reported by Joven et al. in this issue of the Journal 1 is one of many recent investigations that have attempted to answer several important questions, including the following: What specific lipoprotein abnormalities characterize patients with the nephrotic syndrome? Are the elevated levels of lipoprotein caused by increased production, decreased catabolism, or both? How does proteinuria cause hyperlipidemia? Does the hyperlipidemia in patients with the nephrotic syndrome cause . . .