Acute kidney injury (AKI) after ingestion of red yeast rice supplement
In Japan recently, Miyasaki, 2024 published a report of AKI in a patient, related to an unlicensed food supplement.
Red yeast rice
Why is this important?
More and more unlicensed food supplements are now easy to obtain via the internet. Many claim to be very
What did the study show?
A 47-year-old woman developed severe kidney dysfunction after taking a lipid-lowering supplement, ‘Red Yeast Rice Cholestehelp’, for approximately 7 months. The patient developed sudden nausea and had an elevated serum creatinine level of 376 mcmol/L.
A kidney biopsy showed findings consistent with acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Kidney dysfunction improved with discontinuation of supplementation, and corticosteroid therapy.
Similar kidney involvement has been reported in other supplements, raising concerns regarding supplements in Japan.
An investigation of the nephrotoxic ingredients in the same product batches is currently underway.
How does this affect you?
This report emphasises the need for public awareness and warnings of health risk associated with unregulated supplements.
Last Reviewed on 26 June 2024
