Licorice–particularly European licorice which contains higher doses of the natural sweetener glycyrrhizic acid (GZA)–needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of hyperaldosteronism. Here’s how it works: The mineralocorticoid receptor, expressed in cortical collecting duct cells, is the…
A few links for today, borrowing heavily from other Nephrology Blogs: There is an interesting interchange on Kidney Notes responding to some highly negative comments made about the field of Nephrology by a practicing nephrologist “Nephrogirl.” The Precious…
While toxic mushroom ingestions are generally known for their ability to cause acute liver failure, certain varieties of mushrooms can also result in acute renal failure. One such type of mushroom is Amanita smithiana, (shown at left) which…
Why is there a picture of a toad on the Renal Fellow Network? In reading the most recent edition of ESRD/Dialysis “NephSAP” (the ASN’s periodic review of relevant nephrology-themed literature), I learned about an unusual cause of hyperkalemia:…
Heavy metals & the kidney are an interesting topic all-around. Aberrant metabolism of heavy metals such as iron, copper, lead all contribute to significant renal pathology. And you can add the heavy metal cadmium to that list as…
Toluene–a hydrocarbon which is present in gasoline, paint thinners, and many industrial solvents–can have a variety of effects on acid-base metabolism by the kidney: it can cause both a non-anion gap OR an anion gap metabolic acidosis, depending…
Isopropyl alcohol is unique amongst the toxic alcohols (e.g., ethylene glycol, methanol, etc) in that it causes an osmolar gap WITHOUT causing an anion gap. In addition, unlike the toxic alcohols listed above, it is the isopropanol itself…
The first report that lead can cause nephrotoxicity was by Lancereaux in 1863, who observed chronic kidney disease in an artist who habitually would hold paintbrushes in his mouth; there are some who believe that the collapse of…
Lithium is one of the classic dialyzable toxins, as it is very small (atomic # of 3) and elevated Li levels (>2.5 meq/L) may result in tremor, ataxia, vomiting, seizures, or even coma. However it is somewhat unique…
Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) is a popular tropical fruit in numerous countries of Asia and South America, and is increasing found in Western countries as well. Why am I writing about this on the Renal Fellow Network? It turns…
