title: Nephrotic syndrome of minimal change disease following exposure to mercury-containing skin-lightening cream.
abstract: A 28-year-old female suffered from nephrotic syndrome after a long-term use of mercury-containing, skin-lightening cream. The blood and urinary mercury content of this patient increased with use. Renal biopsy showed minimal change disease. Her symptoms were relieved 6 months after discontinuing use of the cream and receiving sodium dimercaptosulfonate and glucocorticosteroid treatments. Proteinuria disappeared, and blood and urinary mercury levels returned to normal. Previous reports of nephrotic syndrome caused by mercury-containing, skin-lightening creams have mostly been identified as be.ing due to membranous nephropathy. Minimal change disease has been reported in a few case reports published in the English language. Here we report a case of nephrotic syndrome with minimal change disease following exposure to a mercury-containing, skin-lightening cream. We also reviewed relevant published reports to summarize clinical features and treatments and to explore the possible mechanisms involved.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Fuyou Liu, MD, Department of Nephrology,, Second Xiangya Hospital,, Central South University,, Changsha 410011, Hunan,, China, T: 86-13808417254, F: +86-0731-88835975, ssdlf@163.com.
authors.forename: Fuyou
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Youming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Chunguo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009402:Nephrosis, Lipoid / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000139:chemically induced; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014494:Unithiol / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations; D014494:Unithiol