36 A third study provides level IV evidence that weight loss appears to be associated with a fall in total cholesterol in kidney transplant recipients.37 The recommendation that a diet rich in wholegrain, low glycaemic index and high fibre carbohydrates as well as rich sources of vitamin E and monounsaturated fat should be followed by adult kidney transplant recipients with elevated serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, is based on evidence from the following three studies: Stachowska et al.34

investigated the effect www.selleckchem.com/products/PLX-4032.html of a modified Mediterranean diet on serum lipid levels in a single-centre, randomized controlled study. Adult kidney transplant recipients with stable graft function were randomized to receive one of two diets for a 6-month period: Treatment: Modified Mediterranean diet (n = 21; 15 males, six females), containing carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index (amylose-poor, cellulose-rich), 30 mL cold-pressed olive oil with only rapeseed oil used find more in cooking, foods rich in alpha-tocopherol (including nuts, grains and linseeds), fresh vegetables with each meal and

daily animal protein of 35–50 g for males and 23–46 g for females. Energy intake was attributed as follows: 47% carbohydrates, 38% fat, 15% protein. Immunosuppressive and antihypertensive regimens were not changed and no antilipemic medications were administered before or during the study out period. Dietary compliance of subjects in both groups was assessed every 4 weeks by means of 24 h food diaries and by monitoring oleic acid content of plasma triglycerides. In the treatment group, total cholesterol dropped from 230 to 210 mg/dL, or 5.9–5.4 mmol/L (P < 0.02) and triglycerides dropped from 194 to 152 mg/dL, or 2.5–1.7 mmol/L (P < 0.0007). Neither total cholesterol nor triglycerides dropped in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to weight, body mass index and body fat levels at the

start or the end of the study period. The key limitations of this study are: the small sample size; and The study provides level III-3 evidence that a modified Mediterranean diet can be effective in lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides. The results of this study concur with the findings of studies in non-transplant populations.34 Shen et al.35 conducted a pseudo-randomized controlled study examining the effect of diet on serum lipids. They designed a diet containing less than 500 mg cholesterol, less than 35% calories from fat, less than 50% calories from carbohydrate, polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio greater than 1, limited alcohol intake. A sodium restriction was made if the transplant recipient had hypertension.