Published online Aug 16, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i23.5547
Peer-review started: April 22, 2023
First decision: June 12, 2023
Revised: June 17, 2023
Accepted: July 17, 2023
Article in press: July 17, 2023
Published online: August 16, 2023
Processing time: 116 Days and 1.7 Hours
A few reports have revealed induction of rhabdomyolysis by a red yeast rice (RYR) supplement or by RYR in combination with abiraterone (an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor).
A 76-year-old man presented with progressive limb weakness, muscle soreness, and acute kidney injury (AKI). He had been taking the anti-prostate cancer drug abiraterone for 14 mo and had added a RYR supplement 3 mo before symptom onset. After being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, the patient discontinued these drugs and responded well to hemodialysis and hemoperfusion. After 23 d of treatment, creatine kinase levels returned to normal and serum creatinine levels decreased.
We speculate that statins, the main lipid-lowering component of RYR, or a combination of statins and abiraterone, will increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis.
Core Tip: In September 2021, a 76-year-old man presented with muscle soreness, limb weakness, and impaired kidney function. He had been taking the anti-prostate cancer drug abiraterone for 14 mo and had added a red yeast rice (RYR) supplement 3 mo before symptom onset. The patient was asked to stop taking these two drugs. He then underwent hemodialysis and hemoperfusion therapy. We measured renal function and muscle damage indicators continuously for 23 d until they returned to normal. The statin content of RYR supplements should be kept in mind, as well as the increased risk of muscle and kidney damage when combined with abiraterone.