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Jurčić D, Gabrić M, Troskot Perić R, Liberati Pršo AM, Mirat J, Včev A, Alerić I, Ebling B. HERBALIFE® ASSOCIATED SEVERE HEPATOTOXICITY IN A PREVIOUSLY HEALTHY WOMAN. Acta Clin Croat 2019; 58:771-776. [PMID: 32595263 PMCID: PMC7314303 DOI: 10.20471/acc.2019.58.04.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lately there has been an increased consumption of herbal preparations, distributed as nutritional supplements, often claimed to be ‘natural’ and harmless. However, as their use is not subjected to strict pre-marketing testing and regulations, their ingredients are not clearly defined and there is no quality control or proof of their effectiveness and safety. A growing body of references accentuate their harmful effects, in particular hepatotoxicity, which varies from minimal hepatogram changes to fulminant hepatitis requiring liver transplantation. This case report describes liver damage that was highly suspected to originate from Herbalife® products consumption. We excluded alcohol, viral, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic causes of liver lesions, as well as vascular liver disease, but we noticed a connection between the use of Herbalife® products and liver damage. The exact mechanism of liver damage in our patient was not determined. After removing the Herbalife® products, liver damage resolved and there was no need to perform liver biopsy. Taking into consideration the growing consumption of herbal products and their potential harmfulness, we consider that more strict regulations of their production process and sale are necessary, including exact identification of active substances with a list of ingredients, toxicologic testing and obligatory side effect report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragan Jurčić
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Jordanovac Hospital for Lung Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maruška Gabrić
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Jordanovac Hospital for Lung Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Rosana Troskot Perić
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Jordanovac Hospital for Lung Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Marija Liberati Pršo
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Jordanovac Hospital for Lung Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jure Mirat
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Jordanovac Hospital for Lung Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Aleksandar Včev
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Jordanovac Hospital for Lung Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Alerić
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Jordanovac Hospital for Lung Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Barbara Ebling
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Jordanovac Hospital for Lung Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
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Ansari RM, Omar NS. Weight Loss Supplements: Boon or Bane? Malays J Med Sci 2017; 24:1-4. [PMID: 28814927 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.3.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary health supplements for weight loss seem to be the future nowadays. However, this industry is plagued by lack of regulations and ignorance regarding the constituents of the supplements. Of all the supplements consumed, the ones for weight loss are most commonly found in the market. Reports of liver failure, kidney impairment and worsening of chronic ailments in patients who consume these supplements are surfacing recently which make us question the credibility of these products. The safety of these products lie in the clear stating of the ingredients by the manufacturer, well informed patient, knowledgeable physician and tight regulations from the regulatory board.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshma Mohamed Ansari
- Faculty of Medicine, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, No: 3410, Jalan Teknokrat 3, Cyber 4, 63000 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norfaizatul Shalida Omar
- Faculty of Medicine, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, No: 3410, Jalan Teknokrat 3, Cyber 4, 63000 Selangor, Malaysia
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Alonso-Castro AJ, Domínguez F, Zapata-Morales JR, Carranza-Álvarez C. Plants used in the traditional medicine of Mesoamerica (Mexico and Central America) and the Caribbean for the treatment of obesity. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 175:335-345. [PMID: 26410815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Obesity is a worldwide medical concern. New ethnobotanical information regarding the antiobesity effect of medicinal plants has been obtained in the last 30 years in response to socio-demographic changes and high-fat diets became common. AIM OF THE STUDY This review provides a summary of medicinal plants used in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for the empirical treatment of obesity in terms of ethnobotany, toxicity, pharmacology, conservation status, trade and chemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bibliographic investigation was performed by analyzing recognized books, undergraduate and postgraduate theses and peer-reviewed scientific articles, consulting worldwide accepted scientific databases from the last four decades. Medicinal plants used for the treatment of obesity were classified in two categories: (1) plants with pharmacological evidence and (2) plants without pharmacological evidence. RESULTS A total of 139 plant species, belonging to 61 families, native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean that are used for the empirical treatment of obesity were recorded. From these plants, 33 were investigated in scientific studies, and 106 plants lacked scientific investigation. Medicinal plants were experimentally studied in vitro (21 plants) and in vivo (16 plants). A total of 4 compounds isolated from medicinal plants used for the empirical treatment of obesity have been tested in vitro (2 compounds) and in vivo (4 compounds) studies. No clinical trials on obese subjects (BMI>30 kg/m(2)) have been performed using the medicinal plants cited in this review. There are no herbal-based products approved in Mexico for the treatment of obesity. CONCLUSIONS There are a limited number of scientific studies published on medicinal plants from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean used for the treatment of obesity. This review highlights the need to perform pharmacological, phytochemical, toxicological and ethnobotanical studies with medicinal flora to obtain new antiobesity agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Josabad Alonso-Castro
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Cerro de la Venada S/N, Col. Pueblito de Rocha, C.P. 36040 Guanajuato, México.
| | - Fabiola Domínguez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Metepec, Puebla, México
| | - Juan Ramón Zapata-Morales
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Cerro de la Venada S/N, Col. Pueblito de Rocha, C.P. 36040 Guanajuato, México
| | - Candy Carranza-Álvarez
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, México
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Teschke R, Frenzel C, Schulze J, Schwarzenboeck A, Eickhoff A. Herbalife hepatotoxicity: Evaluation of cases with positive reexposure tests. World J Hepatol 2013. [PMID: 23898368 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v5.i7.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To analyze the validity of applied test criteria and causality assessment methods in assumed Herbalife hepatotoxicity with positive reexposure tests. METHODS We searched the Medline database for suspected cases of Herbalife hepatotoxicity and retrieved 53 cases including eight cases with a positive unintentional reexposure and a high causality level for Herbalife. First, analysis of these eight cases focused on the data quality of the positive reexposure cases, requiring a baseline value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) < 5 upper limit of normal (N) before reexposure, with N as the upper limit of normal, and a doubling of the ALT value at reexposure as compared to the ALT value at baseline prior to reexposure. Second, reported methods to assess causality in the eight cases were evaluated, and then the liver specific Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) scale validated for hepatotoxicity cases was used for quantitative causality reevaluation. This scale consists of various specific elements with scores provided through the respective case data, and the sum of the scores yields a causality grading for each individual case of initially suspected hepatotoxicity. RESULTS Details of positive reexposure test conditions and their individual results were scattered in virtually all cases, since reexposures were unintentional and allowed only retrospective rather than prospective assessments. In 1/8 cases, criteria for a positive reexposure were fulfilled, whereas in the remaining cases the reexposure test was classified as negative (n = 1), or the data were considered as uninterpretable due to missing information to comply adequately with the criteria (n = 6). In virtually all assessed cases, liver unspecific causality assessment methods were applied rather than a liver specific method such as the CIOMS scale. Using this scale, causality gradings for Herbalife in these eight cases were probable (n = 1), unlikely (n = 4), and excluded (n = 3). Confounding variables included low data quality, alternative diagnoses, poor exclusion of important other causes, and comedication by drugs and herbs in 6/8 cases. More specifically, problems were evident in some cases regarding temporal association, daily doses, exact start and end dates of product use, actual data of laboratory parameters such as ALT, and exact dechallenge characteristics. Shortcomings included scattered exclusion of hepatitis A-C, cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus infection with only globally presented or lacking parameters. Hepatitis E virus infection was considered in one single patient and found positive, infections by herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus were excluded in none. CONCLUSION Only one case fulfilled positive reexposure test criteria in initially assumed Herbalife hepatotoxicity, with lower CIOMS based causality gradings for the other cases than hitherto proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Teschke
- Rolf Teschke, Alexander Schwarzenboeck, Axel Eickhoff, Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Klinikum Hanau, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Medical Faculty of the Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, D-63450 Hanau, Germany
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Manso G, López-Rivas L, Salgueiro ME, Duque JM, Jimeno FJ, Andrade RJ, Lucena MI. Continuous reporting of new cases in Spain supports the relationship between Herbalife® products and liver injury. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2011; 20:1080-7. [PMID: 21751292 DOI: 10.1002/pds.2180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous publications have linked Herbalife® products to hepatotoxicity. The identification of earlier cases in which the culprit agent could not be established raised the hypothesis of a possible contamination of some specific batches of Herbalife products. METHODS We searched the Spanish Pharmacovigilance Centres' database of adverse reactions for reports of liver injury associated with the use of Herbalife products from 2003, when the first case was submitted, through September 2010. RESULTS The search resulted in 20 reports of liver damage (mean age, 49 years; 16 women), with 12 patients (60%) requiring hospitalization. Hepatocellular damage predominated, and nine (53%) of the hepatocellular cases with bilirubin values were jaundiced, fulfilling the Hy's law criteria, which increases the risk for serious outcomes. Two patients experienced a positive rechallenge. One patient developed cirrhosis, whereas all the others recovered. Causality assessment by the Karch and Lasagna modified algorithm showed a category of definite in 1 case, probable in 14, and possible in 5. Analysis of the different Herbalife products that each patient had taken did not enable us to identify any commonly known hepatotoxic ingredient. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the relationship between the consumption of Herbalife products and hepatotoxicity, underscore the concern regarding the liver-related safety of this dietary supplement, and emphasize the need to establish further regulatory measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Manso
- Centro de Farmacovigilancia de Asturias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
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Chen GC, Ramanathan VS, Law D, Funchain P, Chen GC, French S, Shlopov B, Eysselein V, Chung D, Reicher S, Pham BV. Acute liver injury induced by weight-loss herbal supplements. World J Hepatol 2010; 2:410-5. [PMID: 21173910 PMCID: PMC3004035 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v2.i11.410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2010] [Revised: 11/04/2010] [Accepted: 11/11/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary C Chen
- Gary C Chen, Vivek S Ramanathan, David Law, Pauline Funchain, George C Chen, Samuel French, Boris Shlopov, Viktor Eysselein, David Chung, Sonya Reicher, Binh V Pham, Department of Gastroenterology and Pathology, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90509, United States
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