Hazard assessment of germanium supplements

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

Volumn 25, Issue 3, 1997, Pages 211-219

  Tao, Shyy Hwa ^a   Bolger, P Michael ^a  

^a CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

CARBOXYETHYLGERMANIUM SESQUIOXIDE; GERMANIUM; GERMANIUM DERIVATIVE; GERMANIUM DIOXIDE;

ACUTE TOXICITY; ANEMIA; ARTICLE; BIOACCUMULATION; DIET; FEMALE; HEALTH HAZARD; HUMAN; KIDNEY FAILURE; MALE; MUSCLE WEAKNESS; NEPHROTOXICITY; NONHUMAN; PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY; PRIORITY JOURNAL; RAT;

ANIMALIA;

EID: 0031171717     PISSN: 02732300     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1006/rtph.1997.1098     Document Type: Article

References (63)

1. Ajani, J. A., Faintuch, J. S., McClure, R. K., Levin, B., Boman, B. M., and Krakoff, I. H. (1986). Phase II study of spirogermanium in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Invest. New Drugs 4, 383-385.
2. n in rats. Appl. Organometallic Chem. 6,267-272. [With the technical assistance of C. Janson and Y. Sublet]
3. Asai, K. (1984). Ge-132: Outline, pp. 1-64. Asai Germanium Research Institute. Izumihoncho 1-6-4, Komae-shi, Tokyo, Japan.
4. Asano, K., Yamano, M., Haruyama, K., Ikawa, E., Nakano, K., Kurono, M., and Wada, O. (1994). Influence of propagermanium (SK-818) on chemically induced renal lesions in rats. J. Toxicol. Sci. 19(Suppl. II), 131-143.
5. Asano, K., Yamano, M., Nakano, K., et al. (1990). [Influence of propagermanium (SK-818) on renal function in kidney injured rats]. Clin. Rep. 24, 5325-5332. [in Japanese]
6. Aso, H., Suzuki, F., Ebina, T., and Ishida, N. (1989). Antiviral activity of carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (Ge-132) in mice infected with influenza virus. J. Biol. Resp. Mod. 8(2), 180-189.
7. Brutkiewicz, R. R., and Suzuki, F. (1987). Biological activities and antitumor mechanism of an immunopotentiating organogermanium compound, Ge-132 (Review). In Vivo 1, 189-203.
8. Chen, Y., Wang, N., Shangguan, G., and Chen, Y. (1993). [Determination of germanium in urine and studies on pharmacokinetics of Ge-132 in body]. Zhongguo Yiyuan Yaoxue Zazhi 13(3), 103-105. [In Chinese]
9. Fujimoto, M., Ishibashi, H., Shimamura, R., Takahashi, K., Hirata, Y., Kudo, J., and Niho. Y. (1992). [A patient with liver cirrhosis manifesting various symptoms including cerebellar ataxia due to germanium intoxication]. Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi 83(3), 139-143. [In Japanese with English abstract]
10. Furst, A. (1987). Biological testing of germanium. Toxicol. Ind. Health 3(1), 167-204.
11. Gerber, G. B. (1988). Germanium. In Handbook On Toxicity Of Inorganic Compounds (H. G. Seiler and H. Sigel, Eds.), pp. 301-305. Dekker, New York, NY.
12. Goodman, S. (1988). Therapeutic effects of organic germanium. Med. Hypotheses 26, 207-215.
13. Hess, B., Raisin, J., Zimmermann, A., Horber, F., Bajo, S., Wyttenbach, A., and Jaeger, P. (1993). Tubulointerstitial nephropathy persisting 20 months after discontinuation of chronic intake of germanium lactate citrate. Am. J. Kid. Dis. 21(5), 548-552.
14. Higuchi, I., Izumo, S., Kuriyama, M., Suehara, M., Nakagawa, M., Fukunaga, H., Osame, M., Ohtsubo, S., and Miyata, K. (1989). Germanium myopathy: Clinical and experimental pathological studies. Acta Neuropathol. 79, 300-304.
15. Higuchi, I., Takahashi, K, Nakahara, K., Izumo, S., Nakagawa, M., and Osame, M. (1991). Experimental germanium myopathy. Acta Neuropathol. 82, 55-59.
16. Iijima, M., Mugishima, M., Takeuchi, M., Uchiyama, S., Kobayashi, L, and Maruyama, S. (1990). [A case of inorganic germanium poisoning with peripheral and cranial neuropathy, myopathy and autonomic dysfunction]. No. To. Shinkei. 42, 851-856. [In Japanese with English abstract]
17. Ikemoto, K., Kobayashi, M., Fukumoto, T., Morimatsu, M., Pollard, R. B., and Suzuki, F. (1996). 2-Carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide, a synthetic organogermanium compound, as an inducer of contrasuppressor T cells. Experientia 52, 159-166.
18. Jao, S-W., Lee, W., and Ho, Y-S. (1990). Effect of germanium on 1,2-dimethylhydrazince-induced intestinal cancer in rats. Dis. Colon Rectum 33, 99-104.
19. Kaars Sijpesteijn, A., Rukens, F., and van der Kerk, G. J. M. (1964). Antimicrobial activity of organogermanium derivatives. Nature 201, 736.
20. Kamijo, M., Yagihashi, S., Kida, K, Narita, S., and Nakata, F. (1991). [An autopsy case of chronic germanium intoxication presenting peripheral neuropathy, spinal ataxia, and chronic renal failure]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clin. Neurol.) 31, 191-196. [In Japanese with English abstract]
21. Kanda, K, Ikawa, E., Tagawa, Y., et al. (1990). [Subacute toxicity test of proxigermanium (SK-818) in rats]. Clin. Rep. 24, 46-89. [In Japanese]
22. Kanda, T., Uematsu, I., Oka, N., Miyoshi, K., Azukizawa, M., Yoshida, T., Iwasaki, M., Mori, H., Nagareda, T., Kotoh, K., Yamana, M., and Fujiki, Y. (1989). [A case of diabetes mellitus associated with chronic renal failure caused by ingestion of germanium compound]. J. Jpn. Diab. Soc. 32(11), 825-830. [In Japanese with English abstract]
23. Kanisawa, M., and Schroeder, H. A. (1967). Life term studies on the effects of arsenic, germanium, tin, and vanadium on spontaneous tumors in mice. Cancer Res. 27, 1192-1195.
24. Kidd, P. M. (1987). Germanium-132 (Ge-132): Homeostatic normalizer and immunostimulant. A review of its prevenntive and therapeutic efficacy. Int. Clin. Nutr. Rev. 7(1), 11-20.
25. Kong, X. (1993). [Organic germanium: its toxic effect and function in medical care]. Chinese Med. J. 73(8), 454-456. [In Chinese]
26. Krapf, R., Schaffner, T., and Iten, P. X. (1992). Abuse of germanium associated with fatal lactic acidosis. Nephron. 62(3), 351-356.
27. Matsumuro, K., Izumo, S., Higuchi, I., Ronquillo, A. T., Takahashi, K., and Osame, M. (1993). Experimental germanium dioxide-induced neuropathy in rats. Acta Neuropathol. 86, 547-553.
28. Matsusaka, T., Fujii, M., Nakano, T., Terai, T., Kurata, A., Imaizumi, M., and Abe, H. (1988). Germanium-induced nephropathy: Report of two cases and review of the literature. Clin. Nephrol. 30, 341-345.
29. Mino, Y., Ota, N., Sakao, S., and Shimomura, S. (1980). Determination of germanium in medicinal plants by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 28(9), 2687-2691.
30. Miyao, K, Onishi, T., Asai, K, Tomizawa, S., and Suzuki, F. (1980). Toxicology and phase I studies on a novel organogermanium compound, Ge-132. Curr. Chemother. Infect. Dis. 2, 1527-1529.
31. Nagata, N., Yoneyama, T., Yanagida, K, Ushio, K, Yanagihara, S., Matsubara, O., and Eishi, Y. (1985). Accumulation of germanium in the tissues of a long-term user of germanium preparation died of renal failure. J. Toxicol. Sci. 10, 333-341.
32. Nakada, Y., Kosaka, T., Kuwabara, M., Tanaka, S., Sato, K., and Koide, F. (1993). Effects of 2-carboxythylgerumanium sesquioxide (Ge-132) as an immunological modifier of postsurgical immunosuppression in dogs. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 55(5), 795-799.
33. Nakagawa, H., Segawa, M., Kanore, M., et al. (1990). [Chronic toxicity test of proxigermanium (SK-818) in rats]. Clin. Rep. 24, 144-177. [In Japanese]
34. Nakano, T., Fujii, M., Terai, T., Matsuzaka, T., Kimura, M., and Toyomasu, T. (1987). An ultrastructural study of rats treated with germanium. J. Clin. Electron Microsc. 20, 5-6.
35. Nakano, T. (1990). Germanium dioxide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Med. J. Osaka Univ. 42, 355-369.
36. Nielsen, F. H. (1986). Other elements: Sb, Ba, B, Br, Cs, Ge, Rb, Ag, Sr, Sn, Ti, Zr, Be, Bi, Ga, Au, In, Nb, Sc, Te, Tl, W. In Trace Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition (W. Mertz, Ed.), 5th ed., Vol. 2, pp. 415-463. Academic Press, New York.
37. Obara, K, Saito, T., Sato, H., Yamakage, K, Watanabe, T., Kakizawa, M., Tsukamoto, T., Kobayashi, K, Kongo, M., and Yoshinaga, K. (1991). Germanium poisoning: Clinical symptoms and renal damage caused by long-term intake of germanium. Jpn. J. Med. 30(1), 67-72.
38. Okada, K., Okagawa, K., Kawakami, Y., Kuroda, Y., Morizumi, K., Sato, H., Morita, H., Shimomura, S., and Saito, S. (1989). Renal failure caused by longterm use of a germanium preparation as an elixir. Clin. Nephrol. 31, 219-224. [Previously reported by Okagawa, K, Kosaka, M., Sakikawa, T., Hiasa, M., Sato, H., Morizumi, K., Morita, H., Simomura, S., and Saito, S. (1986). Renal hypofunction, normochromic anemia, muscle weakness and peripheral neuropathy occurred in three patients taking germanium-containing water. Naika (Intern. Med.) 58, 1210-1214. [In Japanese].
39. Okada, K., Okagawa, K., Kawakami, Y., Kuroda, Y., Morizumi, K., Sato, H., Morita, H., Shimomura, S., and Saito, S. (1989). Renal failure caused by longterm use of a germanium preparation as an elixir. Clin. Nephrol. 31, 219-224. [Previously reported by Okagawa, K, Kosaka, M., Sakikawa, T., Hiasa, M., Sato, H., Morizumi, K., Morita, H., Simomura, S., and Saito, S. (1986). Renal hypofunction, normochromic anemia, muscle weakness and peripheral neuropathy occurred in three patients taking germanium-containing water. Naika (Intern. Med.) 58, 1210-1214. [In Japanese].
40. Okuda, S., Kiyama, S., Oh, Y., Shimamatsu, K., Oochi, N., Kobayashi, K., Nanishi, F., Fujimi, S., Onoyama, K, and Fujishima, M. (1987). Persistent renal dysfunction induced by chronic intake of germanium-containing compounds. Curr. Ther. Res. 41(2), 265-275.
41. Omata, M., Kikuchi, M., Higuchi, C., Senaka, S., Takuma, T., and Sugino, N. (1986). Drug-induced nephropathy: Our recent clinical experience. Dev. Toxicol. Environ. Sci. 14, 15-20.
42. Rinno, H., Yoshida, M., Koide, H., and Oono, J. (1985). [A case with acute renal failure suspected of germanium intoxication]. Jpn. J. Nephrol. 27, 1658. [In Japanese, abstr.]
43. Rosenfeld, G. (1954). Studies of the metabolism of germanium. Arch Biochem. Biophys. 48, 84-94.
44. Rosenfeld, G., and Wallace, E. J. (1953). Studies of the acute and chronic toxicity of germanium. Am. Med. Assoc. Arch. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Med. 8, 466-479.
45. Sanai, T., Okuda, S., Onoyama, K., Oochi, N., Oh, Y., Kobayashi, K., Shimamatsu, K., Fujimi, S., and Fujishima, M. (1990a). Germanium dioxide-induced nephropathy: A new type of renal disease. Nephron 54, 53-60.
46. Sanai, T., Okuda, S., Onoyama, K., Oochi, N., Oh, Y., Takaichi, S., Mizuhira, V., and Fujishima, M. (1991b). Chronic tubulointerstitial changes induced by germanium dioxide in comparison with carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide. Kid. Int. 40, 882-890.
47. Sanai, T., Onoyama, K., Osato, S., Motomura, K., Oochi, N., Oh, Y., Okuda, S., Takaichi, S., and Fujishima, M. (1991a). Dose dependency of germanium dioxide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Nephron 57(3), 349-354.
48. Sanai, T., Oochi, N., Okuda, S., Osato, S., Kiyama, S., Komota, T., Onoyama, K., and Fujishima, M. (1990b). Subacute nephrotoxicity of germanium dioxide in the experimental animal. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 103, 345-353.
49. Scansetti, G. (1992). Exposure to metals that have recently come into use. Sci. Total. Environ. 120, 85-91.
50. Schauss, A. G. (1991a). Nephrotoxicity in humans by the ultratrace element germanium. Renal Failure 13(1), 1-4.
51. Schauss, A. G. (1991b). Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity in humans from organogermanium compounds and germanium dioxide. Biol. Trace Element Res. 29, 267-280.
52. Schroeder, H. A., and Balassa, J. J. (1967a). Abnormal trace metals in man: Germanium. J. Chronic Dis. 20, 211-224.
53. Schroeder, H. A., and Balassa, J. J. (1967b). Arsenic, germanium, tin, and vanadium in mice: Effects on growth, survival and tissue levels. J. Nutr. 92, 245-252.
54. Schroeder, H.A., Kanisawa, M., Frost, D.V., and Mitchener, M. (1968). Germanium, tin, and arsenic in rats: Effects on growth, survival, pathological lesions and life span. J. Nutr. 96, 37-45.
55. Shinogi, M., Yokoyama, I., and Mori, I. (1990). [Studies on the biokinetics of germanium]. Biomed. Res. Trace Ele. 1(2), 269-270. [In Japanese with English abstract]
56. Stricker, B. H. C. (1991). Dietary germanium supplements. Lancet 337, 864.
57. Suzuki, F., Brutkiewicz, R. R., and Pollard, R. B. (1985). Ability of sera from mice treated with Ge-132, an organic germanium compound, to inhibit experimental murine ascites tumours. Br. J. Cancer 52, 757-763.
58. Suzuki, Y., and Taguchi, K. (1983). [Pharmacological studies of carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (Ge-132)]. Pharmacometrics 26, 803-810. [In Japanese with English abstract]
59. Takeuchi, A., Yoshizawa, N., Oshima, S., Kubota, T., Oshikawa, Y., Akashi, Y., Oda, T., Niwa, H., Imazeki, N., Seno, A., and Fuse, Y. (1992). Nephrotoxicity of germanium compounds: Report of a case and review of the literature. Nephron 60, 436-442.
60. Taylor, A. (1991). Effects of germanium health supplements in the rat. Clin. Chem. 37(6), 985.
61. Van der Spoel, J. I., Stricker, B. H. C., Esseveld, M. R., and Schipper, M. E. I. (1990). Dangers of dietary germanium supplements. Lancet ii(336), 117.
62. Vouk, V. (1986). Germanium. In Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals (L. Friberg, G. F. Nordberg, and V. Vouk, Eds.), 2nd ed., pp. 255-266. Elsevier.
63. 10 administration. Muscle Nerve 15, 1258-1264.