Alkalosis

Studies conducted at H. Kinoshita et al on rhabdomyolysis recently published

Alkalosis Library Library Home This article was published in Pain & Central Nervous System Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"Case description: A 79-year-old woman was brought to the emergency room. She had been experiencing general fatigue, numbness in the hands, and weakness in the lower limbs and could not stand up without assistance. She presented with hypokalemia (potassium level, 1.7mEq=L), increased urinary excretion of potassium (fractional excretion of K, 21.2%), abnormalities on an electrocardiogram (flat T waves in II, III, AVF, and V1-6), rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase level, 28,376U/L), myopathy, metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation (O-2 flow rate, 2 L/min; pH, 7.473; pco(2), 61.0mm Hg; po(2), 78.0mm Hg; HCO3, 44.1 mmol/L), hypertension (174/93mm Hg), hyperglycemia (blood glucose level, 200-300 mg/dL), frequent urination, suppressed plasma renin activity (0.1 ng/mL/hour), decreased aldosterone levels (2.6 ng/dL), and increased urinary cortisol levels (600.6 mu g/day; reference range, 26.0-187.0 mu g/day). In this case, the observed reduction in the urinary cortisol levels, from 600.6 to 37.8 mu g/day, led to a definitive diagnosis of pseudoaldosteronism instead of the apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome. Discontinuing shakuyaku-kanzo-to treatment and administering spironolactone and potassium proved effective in improving the patient's condition," wrote H. Kinoshita and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "Medical practitioners prescribing shakuyaku-kanzo-to should take into account the association between licorice, which is its main ingredient, and pseudoaldosteronism."

Kinoshita and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (Shakuyaku-kanzo-to Induces Pseudoaldosteronism Characterized by Hypokalemia, Rhabdomyolysis, Metabolic Alkalosis with Respiratory Compensation, and Increased Urinary Cortisol Levels. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009;15(4):439-443).

For additional information, contact H. Kinoshita, Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital, Dept. of Internal Medical, Sumida Ku, 4-23-15 Koutou Bashi, Tokyo 1308575, Japan.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine is: Mary Ann Liebert Inc., 140 Huguenot Street, 3RD FL, New Rochelle, NY 10801, USA.

Keywords: Japan, Tokyo, Alkalosis, Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Creatine, Dietary Supplement, Enzyme Research, Fatigue, Hypokalemia, Kinase, Micronutrient, Myopathy, Nephrology, Rhabdomyolysis, Therapy, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.