ABSTRACT
We describe the first reported case of biopsy proven hepatotoxicity associated with the natural male enhancement supplement, Enzyte. The patient's symptoms and liver function tests resolved with cessation of the popular "mail order" drug that contains many herbal ingredients. The case highlights the need to be alert to the possibility of herbal supplements and Enzyte specifically causing acute hepatitis.
Subject(s)
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology , Dietary Supplements/adverse effects , Plant Extracts/adverse effects , Acute Disease , Adult , Biopsy , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/diagnosis , Humans , Liver Function Tests , MaleABSTRACT
We report three cases of patients with acute liver injury induced by weight-loss herbal supplements. One patient took Hydroxycut while the other two took Herbalife supplements. Liver biopsies for all patients demonstrated findings consistent with drug-induced acute liver injury. To our knowledge, we are the first institute to report acute liver injury from both of these two types of weight-loss herbal supplements together as a case series. The series emphasizes the importance of taking a cautious approach when consuming herbal supplements for the purpose of weight loss.
ABSTRACT
The use of over-the-counter supplements is commonplace in today's health conscious society. We present an unusual case of intrahepatic cholestasis caused by vitamin A intoxication. The patient consumed one Herbalife shake with two multivitamin tablets of the same brand for 12 years. When calculated this equated to more than the recommended daily allowance for vitamin A consumption. Deranged liver function tests were consistent with a cholestatic process. Liver biopsy was obtained and revealed features pathognomonic of vitamin A toxicity, without the usual fibrosis. When the supplements were ceased, his jaundice and alkaline phosphatase completely normalized. This case highlights the importance of health care providers documenting non-prescribed dietary supplements and considering them in the etiology of cholestatic liver disease.
Subject(s)
Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/etiology , Hypervitaminosis A/complications , Vitamin A/toxicity , Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/chemically induced , Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/pathology , Ephedra/toxicity , Humans , Hypervitaminosis A/pathology , Jaundice/chemically induced , Jaundice/etiology , Jaundice/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Pruritus/chemically induced , Pruritus/etiology , Pruritus/pathology , Vacuoles/pathology , Vacuoles/ultrastructure , VitaminsABSTRACT
We report the first case of Dermatophilus congolensis infection of the human esophagus. We demonstrate initial endoscopic diagnosis, progression and then spontaneous resolution of D. congolensis infection, once the patient's occupational exposure had ceased.
