Astragalus membranaceus as a cause of increased CA19-9 and liver and kidney cysts: a case report.

Abstract

Astragalus membranaceus, one of the most common Chinese herbs, is widely used to prevent and treat a variety of diseases. Very few adverse reactions, caused by A.membranaceus, have been reported in the literature. The purpose of this article was to report a case of marked increase in carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and the formation of liver and kidney cysts following oral administration of A.membranaceus. A 38-year-old woman was found to have a high serum CA19-9 level (156U/mL) at her routine annual examination. On follow-up, several small cysts were found in her left kidney and liver by CT scan. Her medical history showed that she had taken Astragalus tea every day for 1month. One month after she stopped taking it, the CA19-9 level decreased to 40·19U/mL. Ten months later, PET-CT showed that there were no liver and kidney cysts. However, she took Astragalus powder again in the second year and 1month later her CA19-9 level increased again to more than 1000U/mL. Several small cysts were again seen in her left kidney and liver by enhanced CT. Her CA19-9 level gradually became normal after she stopped taking the Astragalus powder. This case strongly suggests that oral administration of A.membranaceus may lead to increase in CA19-9 and the formation of liver and kidney cysts.