The nephrotic syndrome is characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and hypercholesterolemia. Hypercholesterolemia is in some cases a risk factor for atherosclerosis in this group of patients. The lipid plasma spectrum was studied in 45 patients with the nephrotic syndrome. Most pronounced changes of the lipid composition of the plasma were revealed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and a special form of mesangio-proliferative glomerulonephritis which is characterized by a torpid course and rapid development of chronic renal failure. Plasma atherogenicity was calculated according to the index of plasma atherogenicity. A high atherogenicity index was revealed in patients with an association of the nephrotic syndrome and arterial hypertension. Plasma atherogenicity is determined mainly by the level of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol.