The usage of hair-straightening merchandise containing glyoxylic acid is related to a danger for acute kidney failure due to the buildup of calcium oxalate crystals within the kidneys. The remark was made by a workforce of French researchers who examined the suspected straightening product on animals. The product is believed to be the reason for a number of episodes of renal harm in a younger girl.”The outcomes on mice are placing,” examine writer Emmanuel Letavernier, MD, a nephrologist at Tenon Hospital in Paris, France, instructed the Medscape French version. “They develop extraordinarily extreme acute kidney failure inside 24 hours of making use of the straightening cream. Samples present the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in all renal tubules.”Given the potential nephrotoxicity of glyoxylic acid by topical software, merchandise containing this compound ought to be prevented and ideally withdrawn from the market, the researchers urged in a letter revealed in The New England Journal of Drugs. The suitable departments of the French Company for Meals, Environmental, and Occupational Well being and Security have been alerted, Letavernier added.Changing FormaldehydeGlyoxylic acid has not too long ago been launched into sure beauty merchandise (equivalent to shampoo, styling lotion, and straightening merchandise), usually as a substitute for formaldehyde, which is irritating and probably carcinogenic. Glyoxylic acid is praised for its smoothing qualities. Nonetheless, it is suggested to keep away from contact with the scalp.Circumstances of renal problems might be underdiagnosed, in accordance with the researchers, who’re getting ready a nationwide survey. Renal failure will be silent. Among the many indicators that ought to increase concern are “scalp irritation accompanied by nausea or vomiting after a hair salon go to,” stated Letavernier.Comparable instances have already been reported within the literature. An Israeli workforce not too long ago described 26 sufferers handled for acute renal accidents after hair straightening in hair salons. Biopsies revealed calcium oxalate crystals within the kidneys.The Israeli researchers suspected an impact of glycolic acid, one other substance discovered in lots of beauty merchandise, together with straightening merchandise. Nonetheless, they may not present proof.Glycolic Acid Protected?By conducting a second animal examine, which ought to be revealed quickly, Letavernier and his workforce have been in a position to rule out this speculation. “Glycolic acid doesn’t pose an issue. In contrast to glyoxylic acid, the appliance of glycolic acid on the pores and skin of mice doesn’t induce the formation of oxalate crystals within the kidneys, nor acute kidney failure.”The French scientific case reported within the correspondence considerations a 26-year-old girl with no prior well being historical past who had three episodes of acute renal harm 1 yr aside. It turned out that every episode occurred shortly after hair straightening at a hair salon in Marseille.The affected person reported feeling a burning sensation throughout the hair remedy. Scalp irritations appeared. She then skilled vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and again ache. Analyses revealed excessive ranges of plasma creatinine throughout every episode, indicating renal failure.A CT scan confirmed no indicators of urinary tract obstruction. Nonetheless, the affected person had a small kidney stone. Additional evaluation revealed the presence of blood and leukocytes within the urine. However there was no proteinuria or urinary an infection.Continual Renal FailureAfter every episode, renal perform quickly improved. “The repetition of episodes of acute renal failure is, nevertheless, a serious danger issue for growing persistent renal failure in the long run,” stated Letavernier.The cream used within the hair salon to straighten hair was retrieved by the researchers. It contained a big quantity of glyoxylic acid however no glycolic acid.To discover its potential nephrotoxic impact, they carried out a examine on 10 mice. The animals have been divided into two teams to check on one aspect topical software of the product and a gel with out lively product (management group) on the opposite.Mice uncovered to the product had oxalate crystals of their urine, not like mice within the management group. A scan confirmed calcium oxalate deposits within the kidneys. Plasma creatinine ranges elevated considerably after publicity to glyoxylic acid.”After passing by the dermis, glyoxylic acid is quickly transformed within the blood to glyoxylate. Within the liver and doubtless in different organs, glyoxylate is metabolized to develop into oxalate, which upon contact with calcium within the urine types calcium oxalate crystals,” explains the specialist.Extra calcium oxalate crystals inflicting renal failure are noticed in uncommon circumstances equivalent to major hyperoxaluria, a genetic illness affecting liver metabolism, or enteric hyperoxaluria, which is linked to elevated intestinal permeability to oxalate: An anion naturally present in sure vegetation.This story was translated from the Medscape French version utilizing a number of editorial instruments, together with AI, as a part of the method. Human editors reviewed this content material earlier than publication.