Recent evidence suggests focal glomerulosclerosis may be analogous to atherosclerosis. To investigate the role of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in the appearance of glomerular foam cells, 2, 6 or 9-month-old stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP) were fed the high fat cholesterol diet (2% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, 7% lard, 0.2% methylthiouracil; HFC) for 4 weeks. Serum total cholesterol was significantly elevated in HFC. Form cells were observed in glomeruli of 6- and 9-month-old, but not 2-month-old SHRSP with dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia. The glomerular foam cells varied in quantity almost in parallel with the duration of severe hypertension. Glomeruli with foam cells prominently situated in juxtamedullary region. Foam cells were frequently seen in glomerular sclerotic area. These results suggest that hypertension rather than hyperlipidemia may be more important for glomerular deposition of lipid, especially in early lesions, and hyperlipidemia may play a role in the foam cells accumulation.