Hypoalbuminemia in the absence of hepatic, renal, and nutritional deficiency may indicate protein malabsorption or protein losing gastroenteropathy. Abuse of laxatives like castor oil can cause protein losing gastroenteropathy(l). Castor oil is hydrolyzed in the intestine by pancreatic lipase to glycerol and ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid acts as a mild irritant and causes purgation. It is al...

INTRODUCTION Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), sometimes referred to as protein-losing gastroenteropathy, is an unusual cause of hypoproteinemia and is characterized by the shedding of large quantities of protein from the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. PLE may result from a wide variety of etiologies and can be both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the practicing gastroenterologist. The...