A case of acute kidney injury and Fanconi syndrome while taking multiple supplements, including Red Yeast Rice Cholesterol Help^®

A 62-year-old man visited his primary care physician with the complaints of loss of appetite and fatigue.

He was admitted to our hospital based on a diagnosis of acute kidney injury, Fanconi syndrome as indicated by hypokalemia, hypouricemia, hypophosphatemia, elevated glucose levels in urine, and aminoaciduria.

He had been taking multiple supplements, including Red Yeast Rice Cholesterol Help®, for one and a half years.

After admission, all the supplements were stopped.

Blood samples were collected; however, the samples were negative for diseases that could cause Fanconi syndrome.

Renal biopsy revealed renal proximal tubular damage, mainly characterized by simplification of the proximal tubular epithelium.

The mycotoxin, citrinin, which is reported to be produced by the mold used for producing red yeast rice, but not the mold Monascus pilosus used for Red Yeast Rice Cholesterol Help^®, reportedly causes proximal tubular damage.

However, although the causative agent has not been identified, it was thought that a substance similar to citrinin, produced by the mold used for Red Yeast Rice Cholesterol Help®, caused proximal tubular damage, leading to acute kidney injury and Fanconi syndrome.

Hence, all supplements were stopped, and the patient was treated with oral potassium and phosphorus preparations, leading to gradual recovery of his kidney function.

We herein report the first case of acute kidney injury and Fanconi syndrome in a patient taking multiple health supplements, including Red Yeast Rice Cholesterol Help®.

Early discontinuation of the oral supplements was probably useful in improving the patient’s kidney function.