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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

The Murine Choline-Deficient, Ethionine-Supplemented CDE Diet Model of Chronic Liver Injury
Published on: October 21, 2017
Acute liver injury induced by red yeast rice supplement
Lize Loubser1, Kirstin I Weider1, Sean M Drake1
1Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Abstract:
A 64-year-old woman previously taking no medications presented with acute hepatitis 6 weeks after starting a red yeast rice supplement to decrease her cholesterol. Red yeast rice is commonly used for hyperlipidaemia as an alternative to statins as it contains monacolin K, the same active chemical in lovastatin. Infectious, toxic and autoimmune causes for injury were ruled out, and liver biopsy was consistent with drug induced liver injury. Red yeast rice appeared to be the cause of her hepatotoxicity. After stopping the supplement and initiating treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone, liver enzymes decreased towards baseline.
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