An International Symposium entitled "Lipids and Renal Disease" was held in Kashikojima, Japan, on October 8–11, 1998. The meeting provided an opportunity for nearly 300 leading investigators and clinicians from Japan, Europe, Australia, and the United States to meet and discuss advances in lipid metabolism and their pathophysiological roles in vascular and renal injury in patients with kidney disease. Critical to the success of this meeting was the development of focused areas for future research in the area of vascular injury and repair. In addition, new insights into the mechanisms whereby lipids may modulate progressive renal injury were discussed. Of particular interest was the dramatic expansion of our understanding of the mechanisms whereby lipid-lowering agents may influence biological processes involved in vascular and progressive renal injury. From a clinical perspective, new studies regarding the important relationship between renal disease and cardiovascular disease were presented. The relationship between proteinuria and cardiovascular disease was striking and underscored the need for new therapeutic trials with lipid-lowering treatments in this high-risk group of patients. The presentations on the poor outcomes of acute myocardial infarctions in dialysis patients were just as notable. Underutilization of pharmacological therapies that have been shown to influence cardiovascular outcomes in other patient populations was of note and, again, begs for the development of prospective trials in these high-risk patients. Preliminary studies with various approaches to lipid-lowering therapies, both pharmacological and apheresis, also underscore the need for prospective clinical trials in patients with progressive renal disease.
We trust that the readers of this issue of Kidney International will find new and insightful information pertaining to the role of lipids in renal disease. The Organizing and Scientific Committees along with the co-Guest Editors would like to recognize the invaluable contributions of all the participants to the success of this meeting. The timely publication of the proceedings attests to the commitment of all participants to the highest academic standards.
We acknowledge the generous support of the various sponsors who provided unrestricted educational grants. This included the Association of Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Novartis Pharma KK, Sankyo Co., Ltd., Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., and Tanabe Seiyaku Co., Ltd. The assistance of Ms. Deanna Gunderson was invaluable throughout all of the phases of meeting preparation and the publication of this supplement. Finally, Ms. Suenaga of JTB Communications, Inc., provided the necessary meeting logistics to allow for an excellent venue.
