Kidney Injury Induced by High-Dose Chaga Mushroom Consumption: Experimental Evidence in a Rat Model

BACKGROUND: Kidney damage can result not only from the overproduction of endogenous oxalate but also from excessive dietary intake. This study investigated whether oxalate-rich Chaga mushroom induces kidney injury. METHODS: Wistar rats were allocated to three groups based on dosese extrapolated from a previously reported clinical case. The standard-dose group received Chaga mushroom powder at 1,281.6 mg/kg body weight (equivalent to oxalate at 183 mg/kg body weight), and the high-dose (HD) group at 3,844.8 mg/kg body weight (equivalent to oxalate at 549 mg/kg body weight); the control group received no supplements. The study assessed chronic kidney injury by evaluating renal function, histopathology, oxidative stress, and apoptosis via immunohistochemistry and immunoblot assay. RESULTS: < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High-dose consumption of Chaga mushrooms may cause kidney damage due to its high oxalate content.