Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance found in blood. Too much cholesterol can lead to heart problems. Elevated levels of cholesterol can be a symptom of glomerular disease, which is a disease of the glomeruli in the kidneys.

Kidneys

The kidneys are a pair of organs in your body that are on either side of your lower back. They get rid of waste products in the blood and monitor the blood's water levels.

Glomeruli

Glomeruli are membrane tissues that work as filters in the kidney. They filter out wastes in the blood that are sent to the bladder as urine. They also filter out excess water in the blood.

Glomerular Diseases

Glomerular diseases is any type of disease that attacks the glomeruli in the kidneys and prevents them from properly filtering the blood.

Effects

When the Glomeruli aren't working properly, excess proteins and some occasional red blood cells get into the urine. Also, the blood begins to lose its ability to absorb water from tissue, causing swelling throughout the body.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is when the kidneys are damaged, resulting in excessive proteins in urine and swelling throughout the body. Glomerular disease is just one of many causes of nephritic syndrome.

High Cholesterol

Important enzymes also begin to leak out in the urine in glomerular disease, or any other condition that causes nephritic syndrome. Many of these enzymes help to metabolize cholesterol. When these enzymes begin to leak, the cholesterol can't be metabolized as well, causing high cholesterol.

Source:

National Kidney and Urologic Information Clearinghouse: Glomerular Diseases

Nephrology Channel: Nephrotic Syndrome