Renal Injuries Induced by Supplements Containing Red Yeast Rice

Red yeast rice has been highlighted as a health-food ingredient that reduces serum cholesterol levels. Recently, an increased number of cases of renal impairment induced by a supplement containing red yeast rice have been reported in Japan. A 42-year-old man with no history of chronic kidney disease developed renal dysfunction with proximal tubular damage after supplementation with red yeast rice. An 83-year-old woman with advanced diabetic kidney disease experienced further deterioration of her renal function after supplementation with red yeast rice. We herein report cases of acute kidney injury likely induced by a supplement containing red yeast rice.