A clinical study of renal tubular dysfunction in Cleistanthus collinus (Oduvanthalai) poisoning.
BACKGROUND
Self-poisoning through the ingestion of Oduvanthalai is common in South India. Mortality may occur because of arrhythmias, renal failure, shock, and respiratory distress. The mechanisms of toxicity are unclear. This prospective, clinical study was designed to assess renal tubular dysfunction because of Oduvanthalai poisoning.


METHODS
Thirty-two consecutive patients admitted with Oduvanthalai poisoning at a tertiary care hospital in South India, from June 2007 to August 2009 (26 months), were evaluated through history, physical examination, and laboratory studies. Following an interim analysis, additional studies of renal tubular function were performed on a subcohort of eight patients. These included the following: (1) urinary pH, daily serum, and urine anion gap; (2) 24-h urine protein and potassium; and (3) assessment of urine hexosaminidase and amino acid levels.


RESULTS
Metabolic acidosis (100%), which persisted at discharge (65.6%), hypokalemia (62.5%), and renal failure (15.6%), was apparent in the total cohort. Tests of renal tubular function on the subcohort revealed a normal anion gap, hyperchloremic, metabolic acidosis of renal etiology, defective urinary acidification, and hypokalemia with kaliuresis, indicative of distal renal tubular acidosis in six patients. Urinary hexosaminidase and amino acid levels, markers of proximal tubular dysfunction, were elevated in seven and two patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Distal renal tubular acidosis is an important feature of Oduvanthalai poisoning. Proximal tubular injury and, in more severe forms, global tubular dysfunction with diminished glomerular filtration rate may occur.
Nampoothiri
Keshavan
K
Department of Medicine Unit 1, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Chrispal
Anugrah
A
Begum
Anisa
A
Jasmine
Sudha
S
Gopinath
Kango Gopal
KG
Zachariah
Anand
A
D000141:Acidosis, Renal Tubular / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000652:urine; D019665:Euphorbiaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007686:Kidney Tubules, Distal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D055815:Young Adult
D000596:Amino Acids; D006596:Hexosaminidases
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