Acute kidney injury due to excessive and prolonged intramuscular injection of veterinary supplements containing vitamins A, D and E: A series of 16 cases / Daño renal agudo debido a inyección intramuscular excesiva y prolongada de suplementos veterinarios con vitaminas A, D y E: serie de 16 casos

Background: Despite well-documented risks, injectable supplements containing high doses of vitamins are commonly used. Objectives: To describe acute kidney injury (AKI) as a complication of vitamin intoxication. Methods: Our series consisted of 16 patients with kidney complications resulting from the use of veterinary intramuscular injection supplements of vitamin A, D and E. The patients were admitted to two referral hospitals in Fortaleza (Brazil) between January 2010 and January 2015. Results: Patients’ mean age was 28.3±8.9 years (19-53 years), and 11 (68.7%) were male. Main signs and symptoms upon admission were nausea (68.7%), vomiting (62.5%), weight loss (43.7%), epigastric pain (31.2%) and headache (31.2%). At hospital admission the mean laboratory values were: hemoglobin 10±2.0g/dL (6.1-14.2), leukocytes 10,542 ± 4871/mm3 (4100-5,100), creatinine 3.9 ± 5.2mg/dL (0.7-22) and urea 91 ± 88mg/dL (22-306), respectively. Serum calcium was 12 ± 2.2 mg/dL (8.8-15.5), 24-h urine calcium was 575 ± 329 mg (10.7-1058), serum PTH was 55 ± 141pg/mL (2-406), and serum vitamin D concentration was 135 ± 75ng/mL (22-265). Using KDIGO criteria, AKI was diagnosed in 13 patients (81.2%), classified as stage 1 (n = 3), stage 2 (n = 3) or stage 3 (n = 7). No deaths occurred in the study period. Conclusions: Excessive use of veterinary vitamin supplements containing high doses of vitamin A, D and E was associated with AKI. Hypercalcaemia, which was a common finding, appears to be a contributing factor to the development of this type of AKI (AU)

Antecedentes: Suplementos inyectables que contienen altas dosis de vitaminas son utilizados con frecuencia, a pesar de los riesgos bien documentados. Objetivo: Describir la ocurrencia de daño renal agudo (IRA) como complicación de intoxicación por suplementos vitamínicos. Métodos: Esta es una serie de 16 pacientes con complicaciones renales resultantes de la utilización de inyección intramuscular de suplementos veterinarios con vitaminas A, D y E. Los pacientes fueron ingresados en 2 hospitales de referencia en Fortaleza (Brasil), entre enero de 2010 y enero de 2015. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes fue de 28,3 ± 8,9 años (19-53 años) y 11 (68,7%) eran varones. Signos y síntomas principales al ingreso fueron náuseas (68,7%), vómitos (62,5%), pérdida de peso (43,7%), dolor epigástrico (31,2%) y cefalea (31,2%). Al ingreso en el hospital los valores medios de laboratorio fueron: hemoglobina 10 ± 2,0g/dL (6,1+14,2), leucocitos 10.542 ± 4.871/mm3 (4.100-15.100), creatinina 3,9 ± 5,2mg/dL (0,7-22) y urea 91 ± 88mg/dL (22-306), respectivamente. El nivel de calcio sérico fue de 12 ± 2,2 mg/dL (8,8-15,5), el de calcio en orina de 24 h fue de 575 ± 329 mg (10,7-1.058), el de PTH sérico fue de 55 ± 141 pg/mL (2-406) y el nivel de vitamina D sérica fue de 135 ± 75 ng/mL (22-265). Utilizando criterios KDIGO, se diagnosticó IRA en 13 pacientes (81,2%); fueron clasificadas como clase 1 (n = 3), clase 2 (n = 3) y clase 3 (n = 7). No hubo muertes en el período de estudio. Conclusiones: El uso excesivo de suplementos vitamínicos veterinarios que contienen altas dosis de vitamina A, D y E se asoció con IRA. La hipercalcemia, un hallazgo común, parece ser un factor que contribuye al desarrollo de este tipo de IRA (AU)

A fatal case of systemic fat embolism resulting from gluteal injections of vitamin e for cosmetic enhancement.

Recently in Mexico the number of cosmetic surgeries has increased. These procedures are often carried out by unqualified people using obsolete and contraindicated products such as injectable oil, which cause uncorrectable disfigurement or more serious complications, even death, after reaching the systemic circulation. We report the case of a fat embolism syndrome (FES) caused by injections of vitamin E (tocopherol) in order to increase the volume of the buttocks. This case of a FES caused by injections of vitamin E was confirmed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

The risk of abuse of vitamin supplements.

The article presents the results of studies on potential risks associated with the abuse of vitamin supplements which until recently had been considered not only highly effica- cious, but also completely safe. Particular consideration is given to vitamins A, E, D and C. The necessity to control the intake of vitamin supplements and even to strictly super- vise the supply to high risk patients is highlighted.

Hyena disease (premature physeal closure) in calves due to overdose of vitamins A, D3, E.

Holstein suckling calves on a farm manifested severe emaciation, generalized alopecia, dome-like cranial deformation, and high mortality (Case 1). Metaphyseal growth plates of the femur were achondroplastic; segmented, partially resorped, and replaced with immature bony trabeculae containing degenerated chondrocytes. The skull was thin and partially replaced with connective tissue. Diffuse and severe fatty degeneration was observed in the hepatic stellate (Ito') cells. After 6 mo, surviving calves manifested unthrifty with short and irregular hindquarters (Case 2). The metaphyseal growth plates were poorly formed, irregular, partially disappeared centrally, and often sealed with thin bony trabeculae. The cartilage matrix was not homogeneous but was finely fibrous, and chondrocytes were flat and degenerated. The bone lesion was diagnosed as chondrodysplasia due to premature physeal closure. These calves had been administered excessive amounts of vitamins A, D3 and E, and blood chemistry of acute case showed hypervitaminosis A and E. Case I demonstrated acute disease, while Case 2 demonstrated chronic sequelae. Hypervitaminosis A was the suspected cause.

[The "hyena disease" of cattle in Finland]. / Die "Hyänenkrankheit" des Rindes in Finnland.

The first occurrence of "Hyena disease" in cattle in Finland is described. The affected beef bulls consumed very high doses of vitamins A, D and E. Some of them developed to "Hyena" bulls and some to "Hyena/dwarf"-bulls. The radiological signs in the skeleton were similar to those which can occur in connection with vitamin A and D overdoses.