Effect on quality of life of switching to combined oral contraception based on natural estrogen: an observational, multicentre, prospective phase IV study (ZOCAL Study).

OBJECTIVES: This observational, multicentre, prospective phase IV study examined change in health-related quality of life (QOL) from baseline to 6 months in women initiating combined oral contraception (COC) based on natural estrogen. METHODS: Eligible women attending a baseline and 6-month gynaecology appointment belonged to one of three groups: group 1 used barrier contraception (condoms) and elected to continue this method; group 2 used condoms and elected to switch to COC based on natural estrogen; group 3 used COC based on ethinylestradiol and elected to switch to COC based on natural estrogen. The Spanish Society of Contraception (SEC)-QOL scale assessed health-related QOL. Secondary outcomes included symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, intermenstrual bleeding, duration and intensity of menstrual bleeding, contraception continuation rate, and tolerability. RESULTS: A total of 857 women were enrolled and 785 completed the study. Group 2 (n = 224 completed) had significantly lower SEC-QOL global and dimension scores at baseline and significantly greater increases in SEC-QOL from baseline to 6 months compared with groups 1 (n = 72) and 3 (n = 489). Group 3 reported a similar SEC-QOL score to that of group 1 at baseline but showed significantly greater improvement in SEC-QOL global and psychological scores from baseline to 6 months. Among women receiving COC based on natural estrogen, the contraception continuation rate was 713/780 (91.4%); treatment-related adverse events were reported by 13/780 (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Improved SEC-QOL after 6 months was found in women who were dissatisfied with their current contraception at baseline and chose to switch to COC based on natural estrogen.

Effect of polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of risperidone in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic markers capable of predicting the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and adverse effects of risperidone. METHODS: Genotyping was performed in 70 healthy volunteers receiving a single 1mg oral dose of risperidone. Risperidone and hydroxyrisperidone plasma levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry.Prolactin concentration was quantified by direct chemiluminescence. RESULTS: Poor CYP2D6 metabolizers showed higher risperidone Cmax, area under the curve (AUC), and t1/2, as well as lower clearance. They also showed lower Cmax and AUC and higher t1/2 for hydroxyrisperidone. Furthermore, individuals with a mutant VKORC1 genotype had a lower risperidone AUC and t1/2 and higher clearance. The hydroxyrisperidone AUC was lower in individuals with the COMT mutant genotype. Risperidone increased prolactin levels (iAUC and iCmax), which were higher in women than in men. The most frequent reactions were somnolence (47.1%), headache (21.4%), and dizziness (17.1%). Women had neurological effects and headache more frequently than men. The incidence of headache was associated with polymorphisms in the AGTR1 and NAT2; neurological effects were associated with CYP2C19. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the pharmacokinetics of risperidone are due to polymorphisms in CYP2D6, COMT, and VKORC1. Differences in adverse reactions can be explained by gender and polymorphisms in CYP2C19, AGTR1, and NAT2.

Effects of SARS-COVID-19 lockdown on menstrual patterns: A transversal large sample survey.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the presence, importance, and characteristics of menstrual changes related to stressful circumstances during the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain. STUDY DESIGN: An online survey was administered in Spain to menstruating women aged 15-55 who had not contracted COVID-19. It collected information on activities during the lockdown, sexual activity, perceptions of emotional status, any changes in menstrual characteristics, and impact on quality of life. The analysis of menstrual changes was limited to responders who did not use hormonal contraception. RESULTS: A total of 6449 women answered the survey, and 4989 surveys were valid for the final analysis. 92.3% of women had at least one menstruation period during the lockdown, while 7.7% had amenorrhea. Quality of life (QoL) associated with menstruation worsened in 19% of women, did not change in 71.7%, and improved in 1.6%. For 50.1% of the women, global QoL worsened during the lockdown; 41.3% remained about the same and 8.7% reported improvement. Sexual activity during the lockdown decreased in 49.8% of the respondents, remained unchanged in 40.7%, and increased in 9.5%. As far the menstrual changes are concerned, there were no statistically significant differences in amenorrhea incidence, regularity of the menstrual cycle, or the amount or duration of menstrual bleeding in non-hormonal contraceptive users when evaluated by the length and characteristics of isolation, the perception of exposure to COVID-19 and the economic or employment situation. Conversely, we found statistically significant differences according to the intensity of changes in emotional status due to lockdown stressors and changes in regularity, duration, and heaviness of menstruation. CONCLUSION: Changes in emotional status, but not the length and intensity of the isolation or exposure to the disease, significantly influenced menstrual disturbances during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Genetic variation in UGT1A1 is not associated with altered liver biochemical parameters in healthy volunteers participating in bioequivalence trials.

Introduction: Bioequivalence clinical trials are conducted in healthy volunteers whose blood tests should be within normal limits; individuals with Gilbert syndrome (GS) are excluded from these studies on suspicion of any liver disease, even if the change is clinically insignificant. GS is a benign genetic disorder characterized by elevated bilirubin levels, the primary cause of which is the presence of polymorphisms in UGT1A1 gene. In this work, subjects with UGT1A1 intermediate (IM) or poor (PM) metabolizer genotype-informed phenotypes were investigated to determine whether they have a higher incidence of liver disease or other biochemical parameters. Methods: The study population comprised 773 healthy volunteers who underwent biochemical analysis at baseline and at the end of the study which were genotyped for UGT1A1*80 (rs887829), as an indicator of UGT1A1*80+*28 (rs887829 and rs3064744), and UGT1A1*6 (rs4148323). Results: Bilirubin levels were higher in subjects IMs and PMs compared to normal metabolizers (NMs). Decreased uric acid levels was observed in PMs compared to NMs. No associations were observed in liver enzyme levels according to UGT1A1 phenotype. Discussion: Considering that there is no hepatic toxicity in subjects with UGT1A1 IM or PM phenotype, who are more likely to develop GS, this study suggests that they could be included in bioequivalence clinical trials as their biochemical parameters are not affected outside normal ranges.

Evaluation of the relationship between sex, polymorphisms in CYP2C8 and CYP2C9, and pharmacokinetics of angiotensin receptor blockers.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are used to treat hypertension. Most ARBs are metabolized by CYP2C9. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible association between sex, polymorphisms in the CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 genes, and the pharmacokinetics of losartan, valsartan, candesartan, and telmisartan. The study population comprised 246 healthy volunteers from seven single-dose clinical trials: 64 from two candesartan studies, 43 from a telmisartan study, 36 from a losartan study, and 103 from three valsartan studies. DNA was extracted from blood samples and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP2C8 (CYP2C8*2, CYP2C8*3, CYP2C8*4, CYP2C8*5) and CYP2C9 (CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3) genes were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Sex only affected telmisartan pharmacokinetics, since women showed a higher telmisartan C(max) than men (590.5 ± 75.8 ng/ml versus 282.1 ± 30.8 ng/ml; P ≤ 0.01). CYP2C9 variants were associated only with losartan pharmacokinetics: the half-life of losartan was higher in CYP2C9*3 allele carriers (3.1 ± 0.4 hours) than in volunteers with the wild-type genotype (2.3 ± 0.1 hours) (P ≤ 0.05). CYP2C8 polymorphisms were associated only with valsartan pharmacokinetics, since *2 allele carriers showed faster clearance (1.07 ± 0.57 l/h·kg) than those with the wild-type genotype (0.48 ± 0.72 l/h·kg; P ≤ 0.01) and carriers of the *3 allele (0.35 ± 0.49 l/h·kg; P ≤ 0.001). These results suggest that genotypes for CYP2C9 and CYP2C8 are relevant to the pharmacokinetics of losartan and valsartan, respectively, but not the pharmacokinetics of candesartan or telmisartan.

Polymorphisms influencing olanzapine metabolism and adverse effects in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The pharmacokinetics of olanzapine and response to treatment could be affected by polymorphisms in genes coding for drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, or receptors. The aim of this study was to identify genetic markers predictive of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and adverse effects of olanzapine. METHODS: Sixty-three healthy volunteers receiving a single 5-mg oral dose of olanzapine were genotyped for 39 genetic variants that could be related to the response to olanzapine. All genetic variants were analyzed by PharmaChip, but DRD2 Taq1A polymorphism was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Olanzapine was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry. The relationship of gender and polymorphisms with olanzapine pharmacokinetics, the change in prolactin levels, and the incidence of adverse effects were evaluated by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetics of olanzapine was influenced by polymorphisms in CYP3A5, GSTM3, and GRIN2B. Prolactin levels were affected by gender and polymorphisms in DRD2 and 5-HTR2A. Polymorphisms in CYP2C9, TPMT, UGT1A1, MDR1, and 5-HTR2A were related to some adverse effects of olanzapine. CONCLUSIONS: Several polymorphisms can explain differences in the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of olanzapine in healthy subjects. Whether these genetic factors influence the risk of therapeutic failure or tolerability in patients remains to be established.

Preemptive TPMT Genotyping and Adherence to Genotype-Based Therapeutic Recommendations Reduces the Healthcare Cost in Patients Receiving Azathioprine or 6-Mercaptopurine for Autoimmune Diseases.

A cost analysis of thiopurine treatment was carried out in 257 patients, with 153 preemptively genotyped for TPMT and 104 retrospectively genotyped in a Spanish setting. The healthcare cost was significantly higher in patients retrospectively genotyped compared to those who were preemptively genotyped (p < 0.001). TPMT intermediate metabolizers (IMs) (n = 23) showed a 3.3-fold higher healthcare cost when compared to normal metabolizers (NMs) (p < 0.001). The healthcare cost in patients with a TPMT IM phenotype whose physician adhered to the genotype-informed recommendation was similar than the cost in TPMT NMs and was significantly lower than IMs whose physician did not adhere to the therapeutic recommendation (3.8-fold, p = 0.016). Myelotoxicity occurrence was significantly lower in patients preemptively vs. retrospectively genotyped (2.0% and 21.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). Patients who developed myelotoxicity showed a significantly higher healthcare cost than those who did not (4.10-fold, p < 0.001). Overall, 87% of patients whose dose was not adjusted despite being TPMT IMs suffered myelotoxicity, while only one of the eight patients (13%) whose dose was adjusted suffered myelotoxicity (p < 0.001). In conclusion, TPMT preemptive genotyping and physician adherence to genotype-informed therapeutic recommendations prevents myelotoxicity and significantly reduces the healthcare cost, and it is therefore essential for the sustainability of the Spanish healthcare system.

Patients' Perceptions of Pharmacogenetic Testing and Access to Their Results: State of the Art in Spain and Systematic Review.

The process of clinical pharmacogenetics implementation depends on patients' and general population's perceptions. To date, no study has been published addressing Spanish patients' opinions on pharmacogenetic testing, the availability of the results, and the need for signing informed consent. In this work, we contacted 146 patients that had been previously genotyped at our laboratory and 46 healthy volunteers that had participated in a bioequivalence clinical trial at the Clinical Pharmacology Department of Hospital Universitario de La Princesa and consented to pharmacogenetic testing for research purposes. From the latter, 108 and 34, respectively, responded to the questionnaire (i.e., a response rate of 74%); Participants were scheduled for a face-to-face, telephone, or videoconference interview and were asked a total of 27 questions in Spanish. Great or almost complete acceptance of pharmacogenetic testing was observed (99.3%), age and university education level being the main predictors of acceptance rates and understanding (multivariate analysis, p = 0.004, R2 = 0.17, age being inversely proportional to acceptance rates and understanding and university level being related to higher acceptance rates and understanding compared to other education levels). Mixed perceptions were observed on the requirement of written informed consent (55.6% in favor); therefore, it seems recommendable to continue requesting it for the upcoming years until more perceptions are collected. The majority of participants (95.8%) preferred storing pharmacogenetic results in medical records rather than in electronic sources (55.6%) and highly agreed with the possibility of carrying their results on a portable card (91.5%). Patients agreed to broad genetic testing, including biomarkers unrelated to their disease (93.7%) or with little clinically relevant evidence (94.4%). Patients apparently rely on clinician's or pharmacogeneticist's interpretation and seem, therefore, open to the generation of ethically challenging information. Finally, although most patients (68.3%) agreed with universal population testing, some were reluctant, probably due to the related costs and sustainability of the Spanish Health System. This was especially evident in the group of patients who were older and with a likely higher proportion of pensioners.

Association between CYP2C19 and CYP2B6 phenotypes and the pharmacokinetics and safety of diazepam.

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine (BZD) used worldwide for a variety of conditions. Long-term use of diazepam increases the risk for developing tolerance and dependence and for the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 mainly metabolize diazepam and are therefore the primary pharmacogenetic candidate biomarkers. In this work, we aimed to explore the impact of CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 phenotypes and of 99 additional variants in other 31 pharmacogenes (including other CYP, UGT, NAT2 and CES enzymes, ABC and SLC transporters) on diazepam pharmacokinetic variability and safety. 30 healthy volunteers that had participated in a single-dose bioequivalence clinical trial of two diazepam formulations were enrolled in the present candidate gene pharmacogenetic study. CYP2C19 poor metabolizers (PMs) showed an almost 2-fold increase in AUC0-∞/DW compared to rapid (RMs) or normal (NM) metabolizers, and a 1.46-fold increase compared to intermediate metabolizers (IMs). CYP2B6 PMs showed a 2,74-fold higher AUC0-∞/DW compared to RMs, and 2.10-fold compared to NMs (p < 0.007). A dose reduction of 25-50 % may be appropriate for CYP2C19 or CYP2B6 PMs to avoid ADRs, dependence and tolerance. Combined CYP2C19 +CYP2B6 PMs may not use diazepam or sharper dose adjustments (e.g., a dose reduction of 50-70 %) may be advisable. To our knowledge, this is the first work to report a strong relationship between CYP2B6 phenotype and diazepam pharmacokinetics. Additional nominal associations (i.e., 0.007 

Genotype-Guided Prescription of Azathioprine Reduces the Incidence of Adverse Drug Reactions in TPMT Intermediate Metabolizers to a Similar Incidence as Normal Metabolizers.

INTRODUCTION: Thiopurine drugs are purine nucleoside analogues used for treatment of different immune-related conditions. To date, different studies highlighted the importance of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) genotyping in patients who initiate treatment with thiopurines to make an adequate dose adjustment. We aimed to investigate the influence of TPMT phenotype, concomitant treatments, and demographic characteristics on the incidence of adverse reactions (ADRs) in patients who start treatment with azathioprine (AZA). METHODS: This was an observational and retrospective study. The study population comprised 109 patients who started treatment with AZA following routine TPMT genotyping before June 2019 and who were routinely followed up at Hospital Universitario de La Princesa. The incidence of ADRs and treatment duration were evaluated according to TPMT phenotype. RESULTS: Forty-five men and 64 women were recruited, with a mean age of 67.6 ± 18.5. The medical specialty with the most requests was dermatology (45.9%) and the most frequent disease for which genotyping was requested was bullous pemphigoid (27.5%). All patients were normal metabolizers (NM), except for eight intermediate metabolizers (IM) (7.3%); no poor metabolizers (PM) were found. The initial azathioprine dose was subtherapeutic in both groups (103.2 ± 45.4 mg in NMs and 75 ± 32.3 mg in IMs), increasing during the first months of treatment, especially in NMs (120.3 ± 41.3 vs. 78.6 ± 30.4 mg in IMs, p = 0.011). Most patients (73.4%) received corticosteroids to keep the disease under control; and for 41.2% of NMs, physicians were able to reduce the dose at 6 months post treatment. No IMs completed 6 months of treatment. Hepatotoxicity, gastric intolerance, and blood disorders were the most common ADRs. The incidence of ADRs in the sample was 28.4% (n = 31) with a similar trend between IMs (37.5%) and NMs (27.8%). Patients undergoing concomitant treatment with allopurinol were associated with a higher incidence of ADRs (n = 4, 100% vs. n = 105, 20%; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: TPMT genotyping before AZA prescription reduces ADR incidence in IMs to a similar level as NMs in the Spanish population. However, it is important to note no IMs completed 6 months of treatment, suggesting that there may be some differences in drug tolerability according to phenotype. In addition, most NMs are treated with subtherapeutic doses, are poorly followed up, and thus suffer avoidable ADRs. Finally, concomitant therapies that inhibit the xanthine oxidase enzyme (XDH), such as allopurinol, predispose to ADRs. Therefore, pharmacogenetic testing should be integrated as an additional clinical tool, in such a way that each patient receives personalized, precision treatment, where all factors influencing drug response are considered.

Polymorphism of Drug Transporters, Rather Than Metabolizing Enzymes, Conditions the Pharmacokinetics of Rasagiline.

Rasagiline is a selective and irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B with neuroprotective effect, indicated for the management of Parkinson's disease. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of seven CYP1A2 alleles and of 120 additional variants located in other CYP enzymes (e.g., CYP2C19), UGT enzymes (e.g., UGT1A1) or other enzymes (e.g., NAT2), and transporters (e.g., SLCO1B1) on the pharmacokinetic variability and safety of rasagiline. A total of 118 healthy volunteers enrolled in four bioequivalence clinical trials consented to participate in this pharmacogenetic study. CYP1A2 alleles were not associated with the pharmacokinetic variability of rasagiline. Patients with ABCB1 rs1045642 G/A+A/A genotypes presented higher area under the curve adjusted by dose per weight (AUC0-∞/DW) than those with the G/G genotype (p = 0.012) and lower volume of distribution (Vd/F) and clearance (Cl/F) (p = 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively). Subjects with the ABCC2 rs2273697 A/A genotype presented lower tmax (i.e., the time to reach the maximum concentration, Cmax) compared to those with G/G+G/A genotypes (p = 0.001). Volunteers with the SLC22A1 *1/*5 genotype exhibited lower Cmax/DW and higher tmax (p = 0.003 and p = 0.018, respectively) than subjects with the *1/*1 diplotype. Only one adverse drug reaction was reported: headache. Our results suggest the genetic polymorphism of drug transporters, rather than metabolizing enzymes, conditions the pharmacokinetics of rasagiline.

DRD2 Taq1A polymorphism modulates prolactin secretion induced by atypical antipsychotics in healthy volunteers.

Hyperprolactinemia mediated by antagonism of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the pituitary gland is a common adverse effect of antipsychotics. Recent studies have suggested that polymorphisms of dopamine receptors can affect the therapeutic response to antipsychotics. Thus, our aim was to evaluate whether 2 such polymorphisms (DRD2 Taq1A and DRD3 Ser9Gly) modulate prolactin release in healthy volunteers (n = 119) receiving a single dose of quetiapine (25 mg, n = 26), olanzapine (5 mg, n = 57), or risperidone (1 mg, n = 36). The increases in maximum concentration and in area under the curve were calculated from plasma prolactin levels after subtraction of pretreatment levels. Multiple regression analyses revealed that prolactin increases in maximum concentration and in area under the curve depended on drug (quetiapine < olanzapine < risperidone; P < 0.001), sex (women > men; P < 0.001), and Taq1A polymorphism (A1⁺ > A2/A2; P < 0.05). Analysis of the individual drugs revealed that prolactin secretion was modulated by sex and Taq1A polymorphism in olanzapine and risperidone (P < 0.05); however, these factors were not linked to prolactin secretion in quetiapine.

Impact of the Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in the Use of Combined Hormonal Oral Contraception in Spain - Results of a National Survey: Encovid.

OBJECTIVE: To know the contraceptive behaviour of Spanish women who use combined oral contraception (COC) during the period of lockdown due to COVID-19. METHODS: Cross-sectional, descriptive study of a sample of Spanish women who use COC based on a survey conducted through social networks using the online platform Survey Monkey. The survey was conducted during the period of home confinement. RESULTS: A total of 1407 women answered the survey and 937 were valid for the analysis. A total of 675 women (71.8%) were confined all day at home. During confinement 96,6% of women continued to use the COC, 53.5% responded that their sexual activity decreased during this time and 54% that their physical activity had decreased. A significant percentage of women (10.3%) recognized a worsening of premenstrual symptoms. CONCLUSION: Despite the lockdown and the decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse, the Spanish women who use COC did not abandon its use during the period of time analysed.

Effects of CYP2D6 genotype on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of risperidone in healthy volunteers.

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between CYP2D6 genotype and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of risperidone. Seventy-one healthy volunteers (36 women and 35 men) received a 1-mg single oral dose of risperidone. Six major CYP2D6 polymorphisms (CYP2D6*3, *4, *5, *6, *7, and *9) and the duplication were detected. Subjects were classified into 4 phenotypic groups: 6 ultrarapid (UMs), 34 extensive (EMs), 25 intermediate (IMs), and 6 poor metabolizers (PMs). There was a clear relationship between the number of active alleles and the pharmacokinetic parameters for risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone, but there were no differences for total active moiety. Area under the curve and half-life of risperidone were significantly higher in PMs and IMs compared with EMs and UMs, which showed higher area under the curve of 9-hydroxyrisperidone. Risperidone produced a small decrease in blood pressure, a mild increase in QTc and a quick increase in prolactin, without significant differences between groups. Surprisingly, the incidence of adverse reactions was lower in PMs (50%) than in other subjects (78%). In conclusion, metabolism of risperidone depends on the number of active CYP2D6 alleles. So, PM subjects show higher concentrations of risperidone and very low concentrations of 9-hydroxyrisperidone. On the contrary, EM and UM subjects show low concentrations of risperidone and high concentrations of 9-hydroxyrisperidone. However, no major pharmacodynamic differences are observed between CYP2D6 genotypes, presumably because of the similar pharmacological activity of parent drug and metabolite.

Influence of sex and CYP2D6 genotype on mirtazapine disposition, evaluated in Spanish healthy volunteers.

AIMS: To evaluate the influence of sex and CYP2D6 genotype on mirtazapine disposition within two bioequivalence studies in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Seventy-two healthy volunteers were included in two standard 2 x 2 crossover bioequivalence trials. Subjects received a single 30-mg oral dose of each mirtazapine formulation in each study period. Plasma concentrations were measured from 0 to 96 or 120 h by a HPLC with coupled mass spectrometry validated method. CYP2D6 genotyping was available for 68 subjects that were classified into three phenotypic groups depending on the number of active gene copies: extensive/ultrarapid metabolizers (UM-EM), intermediate (IM) and poor metabolizers (PM). To evaluate the influence of sex and genotype on mirtazapine disposition we performed a linear mixed model for repeated measures. Pharmacokinetic data were log-transformed and AUC and C(max) adjusted to the administered dose/weight. Factors included in the model were centre, formulation, period, sequence, sex and genotype as fixed effects, and subject nested sequence x sex x genotype as random one. A second model was also performed adding the interaction sex x genotype to the previous model. RESULTS: Mirtazapine disposition evaluated as AUC(0-infinity) is influenced by sex (p=0.007) and CYP2D6 phenotype group (p=0.01). Attending to the theoretical figures provided by the model, mean (95% CI) dose/weight adjusted AUC(0-infinity) (ng h/ml)/(mg/kg) is 1516.62 (1411.27-1628.22) in EM/UM, 1613.63 (1482.14-1758.55) in IM and 2049.28 (1779.78-2357.24) in PM. In the case of C(max) these figures also show a trend to higher values in PM, but it did not reach statistical significance. Females show a lower dose/weight adjusted AUC(0-infinity): 1594.39 (1477.70-1720.28) vs. 1837.65 (1694.67-1992.70). On the contrary dose/weight adjusted C(max) is higher in females than in males: 38.33 (34.79-42.28) vs. 32.66 (29.44-36.21). CONCLUSIONS: Both CYP2D6 genotype group and sex influence the disposition of mirtazapine in healthy volunteers and confirm reported data in the literature obtained by different methods. No sex-by-genotype interaction could be detected.

Albumin prevents mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis elicited by endoplasmic reticulum calcium depletion of neuroblastoma cells.

Serum albumin protects against cell death elicited by various cytotoxic agents; however, conflicting views on the protective mechanism still remain. Hence, we have studied the ability of serum albumin to prevent apoptosis of human neuroblastoma SH-SY 5 Y cells elicited by four compounds known to release Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum, i.e. dotarizine, flunarizine, thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid. Spontaneous basal apoptosis, after 24 h incubation in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) containing 10% serum, was 5%. Dotarizine (30--50 microM) enhanced basal apoptosis to 18--43%, flunarizine (30--50 microM) to 15%, thapsigargin (1--10 microM) to 21--35%, and cyclopiazonic acid (100 microM) to 10%. Serum deprivation augmented basal apoptosis to 20%. Under serum-free medium, 30 microM dotarizine or flunarizine drastically enhanced apoptosis to 63% and 68%, respectively; the increase was milder with 1 microM thapsigargin (37%) and 30 microM cyclopiazonic acid (27%). In serum-free medium, albumin (29 or 49 mg/ml) fully prevented the apoptotic effects of dotarizine, flunarizine and cyclopiazonic acid. The four compounds increased the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) in fluo-4 loaded cells; such increase developed slowly to reach a plateau after several minutes, followed by a slow decline. Albumin did not modify the kinetic parameters of such increase. In the absence of serum, dotarizine, flunarizine, thapsigargin, and cyclopiazonic acid caused mitochondrial depolarization in tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE)-loaded cells; depolarization was inhibited by cytoprotective concentrations of albumin. These results suggest that albumin protects cells from entering into apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial depolarization. They also suggest that inhibition of mitochondrial depolarization might become a target to develop new anti-apoptotic compounds with therapeutic neuroprotective potential in stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Polymorphisms in CYP2D6 have a greater effect on variability of risperidone pharmacokinetics than gender.

Within-subject coefficient of variation (CVw ) plays a decisive role in the determination of sample size in bioequivalence clinical trials. Highly variable drugs may require the participation of a large number of subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether gender and polymorphisms in CYP2D6 affect the CVw of risperidone. Two single-dose, two-period crossover studies of risperidone (n = 70) were reanalysed to calculate CVw for AUCt and Cmax . Subjects were classified into four different CYP2D6 phenotype groups [poor metabolizers (PM), intermediate metabolizers (IM), extensive metabolizers (EM) and ultrarapid metabolizers (UM)]. The effect of gender was evaluated in EM and IM. CVw was lower in PM (13.3% for AUCt and 10.9% for Cmax ) and UM (17.4% and 8.7%) than in EM (28.7% and 34.7%) and IM (33.2% and 27.3%). Variability was slightly lower in women (27.9% for AUCt and 25.7% for Cmax ) than in men (33.3% and 37.2%, respectively). Genetic polymorphisms affect within-subject variability more than gender and could considerably affect sample size calculation. Therefore, subjects participating in bioequivalence trials should be genotyped.

Pharmacogenetics of quetiapine in healthy volunteers: association with pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and adverse effects.

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic used for treatment of schizophrenia. Variability in response to this drug may be associated with pharmacogenetics. The aim of this study was to identify genetic markers related to the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and adverse effects of quetiapine. The study population comprised 79 healthy volunteers from two bioequivalence trials who were genotyped to identify polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes, receptors, and transporters. Quetiapine plasma levels were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Prolactin plasma levels were detected by indirect chemiluminescence. Possible adverse effects were recorded throughout the study. Factors with P value of 0.1 or less in the univariate analysis were included in a multiple regression analysis (logistic regression for adverse reactions). The area under the curve and clearance of quetiapine were affected by polymorphisms in CYP1A2 and DRD3, respectively. Men had a lower quetiapine area under the curve compared with women. Prolactin iC(max) was higher in volunteers harboring polymorphisms in CYP2C19 and AGT. An association was detected between polymorphisms in CYP1A1 and CYP2C9 and somnolence. Several polymorphisms are responsible for differences in the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of quetiapine in healthy individuals.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single bolus of propofol 2% in healthy volunteers.

This study was undertaken to assess the bioequivalence between a new formulation of propofol 2% and the commercially available product Diprivan. Secondary objectives were to compare the times to onset of and emergence from hypnosis, the hemodynamic effects, and the safety profiles. Twelve healthy male volunteers were included in a randomized crossover study. Subjects were administered a 2-mg/kg single bolus injection of each formulation separated by a 7- to 10-day washout period. Plasma propofol was determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Eleven subjects completed the study, and both formulations were considered bioequivalent. There were no serious or severe adverse events. The concentration-time profiles of all the subjects could adequately be described using a three-compartment model. The mean times to cessation of counting out loud (17 vs. 18 s) and to eye opening (245 vs. 244 s) were not statistically different between treatment groups. Moreover, they seem to show some degree of pharmacodynamic bioequivalence, although a higher number of subjects are necessary to unequivocally demonstrate it.

Nanomolar ouabain elicits apoptosis through a direct action on HeLa cell mitochondria.

The steroid Na(+)/K(+) ATPase (NKA) blocker ouabain has been shown to exhibit pro-apoptotic effects in various cell systems; however, the mechanism involved in those effects is unclear. Here, we have demonstrated that incubation of HeLa cells during 24h with nanomolar concentrations of ouabain or digoxin causes apoptotic death of 30-50% of the cells. Ouabain caused the activation of caspases-3/7 and -9; however, caspase-8 was unaffected. The fact that compound Z-LEHD-FMK reduced both apoptosis and caspase-9 activation elicited by ouabain, suggest a mitochondrially-mediated pathway. This was strengthened by the fact that ouabain caused ATP depletion and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol. Furthermore, upon ouabain treatment mitochondrial disruption and redistribution into the cytosol were observed. A mitochondrial site of action for ouabain was further corroborated by tight co-localisation of fluorescent ouabain with mitochondria. Finally, in ouabain-treated cells the histamine-elicited elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]c) suggests an additional effect on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leading to Ca(2+) store depletion. We conclude that fluorescent ouabain is taken up and tightly co-localises with mitochondria of HeLa cells. This indicates that apoptosis may be triggered by a direct action of ouabain on mitochondria.