A young Chinese man with nephrotic syndrome due to lipoprotein glomerulopathy

J Clin Lipidol. 2019 Mar-Apr;13(2):251-253. doi: 10.1016/j.jacl.2018.12.004. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Abstract

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a rare autosomal dominant renal disease with incomplete penetrance, associated with specific protein-modifying mutations in the APOE gene. LPG is associated with poor renal prognosis, in which lipoprotein thrombi are seen in the glomerular capillaries. Dyslipidemia in LPG generally resembles type III hyperlipoproteinemia with elevated serum apolipoprotein E level. Fibrate is the most frequently reported lipid-lowering therapy in LPG as hypertriglyceridemia is common in these individuals. There are few existing case reports on effectiveness of statin monotherapy for LPG. We report a 32-year-old Chinese man who presented with nephrotic syndrome, renal impairment, severe hypercholesterolemia without hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. Renal biopsy confirmed lipoprotein glomerulopathy. Genetic testing confirmed APOE Kyoto mutation. Anti-hypertensive therapy, including angiotensin receptor blocker, and statin were initiated. Concomitant with normalization of lipid profile, his proteinuria markedly improved, and his renal function has remained stable up to 3 years, demonstrating sustained benefit with statin monotherapy in LPG.

Keywords: Apolipoprotein E; Lipoprotein glomerulopathy; Nephrotic syndrome; Proteinuria; Statin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / physiopathology
  • Kidney Diseases / complications*
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / blood
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Lipids

Supplementary concepts

  • Lipoprotein Glomerulopathy