Obesity is very frequently found after renal transplantation (Tx). It may represent a risk factor for development of atherosclerosis and chronic allograft nephropathy. In a prospective randomized metabolic study we monitored for a period of 12 months a total of 427 patients (M 228/F 199) aged 20–70 yrs after Tx. All patients were treated with cyclosporine A and prednisone at standard doses. We compared the findings of 118, patients with a body mass index (BMI) ³ 30 (kg/m 2, Group I) with data obtained from 309 patients with BMI < 30 (Group II) one year after Tx. The mean values of the analysed parameters were as follows (Gr I vs Gr II): total cholesterol (TC): 7.2 ± 2.4 vs 6.1 ± 2.0, triglycerides (TG) 3.8 ± 1.6 vs 2.6 ± 0.6; LDL-cholesterol 4.1 ± 1.2 vs 3.0 ± 0.7; fasting glycaemia 8.0 ± 3.2 vs 5.2 ± 2.0 (all mmol/L, all p < 0.01); HDL-cholesterol/TG 0.28 ± 0.07 vs 0.38 ± 0.06, p < 0.025). The mean values of corrected CCr, cyclosporine level, Lp(a) and proteinuria did not differ significantly. There were no statistical differences in apo E isoforms. In conclusion, our data suggest hyperlipidaemia-associated obesity should be treated effectively as a high-risk factor after Tx.

        Key words: renal transplantation, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, atherosclerosis, age, sex.