Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure Induced by Paraphenylenediamine

Abstract

<jats:p> 1 We present a 40-year-old healthy man who developed a typical clinical picture of rhabdomyolysis following the administration of paraphenylenediamine by a witchdoctor as a pain killer. </jats:p><jats:p> 2 Two groups of 15 mice were given paraphenylenediamine 70 mg/kg and 35 mg/kg respectively. Biochemical and histological findings of rhabdomyolysis developed in both groups, without kidney damage. </jats:p><jats:p> 3 Paraphenylenediamine may cause rhabdomyolysis resulting in acute renal failure in humans. In mice, however, it produces rhabdomyolysis, but the kidneys are not affected. </jats:p>

Wild-Mushroom Intoxication as a Cause of Rhabdomyolysis

“…Since it would have been unethical to administer T. equestre extracts to human subjects, we chose an established model of myonecrosis in mice. [5][6][7] Extracts of T. equestre were prepared and then administered by gavage (gastric intubation) in a dose equivalent to that ingested by the patients. The animals were then assessed for evidence of rhabdomyolysis.…”

Some Toxicological Observations on Paraphenylene Diamine (Hair Dye) in Rats and Chickens

“…The histopathological changes seen in PPD-treated rats and chickens were basically cell necrosis and fatty change in liver, kidney, heart and muscles. Interestingly, it has been shown that PPD in mice causes damage in skeletal muscles and not liver or kidneys (Averbukh et al, 1989). This may be genuine species difference and confirms the need to study the toxicity of compounds in several species and not to depend on a single animal species and to extrapolate the data therefrom to humans.…”

“…Several cases of accidental, homicidal and suicidal poisoning with PPD have been reported in the Sudan, where it is mainly used to intensify the black colour produced by Henna (Lawonia inermis) and to reduce the time required for dying and decorating hands and feet with Henna (El-Ansary et al, 1983;Suliman et al, 1983;Yagi et al, 1991;Abdelkarim et al, 1992). PPD has also been identified as one of the constituents of 'home made' analgesic remedies prepared by local "witch doctors' (Averbukh et al, 1989). In a recent companion paper, we have studied the basic in vivo and in vitro pharmacological actions of PPD in a variety of animal models.…”

p‐Phenylenediamine [MAK Value Documentation, 1993]

“…Two groups of 15 mice were given single p-phenylenediamine doses of 35 or 70 mg/kg body weight by nasal tube. In both dose groups, the biochemical and histological symptoms of rhabdomyolysis were observed but no kidney damage [13].…”