The role of exogenous lipids in the hyperlipemia and hypercholesteremia of nephrotic rats.

The renal disease, ascites, subcutaneous edema, and hyperlipemia induced in rats by injection of rabbit anti-rat kidney serum comprise a syndrome which closely resembles the nephrotic state as it occurs in humans (1). This provides a unique opportunity to study the mechanism(s) of the disturbed lipid metabolism of the nephrotic state. In previous studies from this laboratory it was found that the hypercholesteremia of nephrotic rats cannot be ascribed either to an increased intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol (2) or to an increased hepatic synthesis of endogenous cholesterol (3). In the present study the role of exogenous lipids is further assessed, the data showing that the development of experimental nephrotic hyperlipemia and hypercholesteremia is independent of dietary fat.