A randomised trial of enteric-coated nutrient pellets to stimulate gastrointestinal peptide release and lower glycaemia in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESES: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an important mediator of postprandial glycaemia, could potentially be stimulated by delivering small quantities of nutrient to a long length of distal gut. We aimed to determine whether enteric-coated pellets, releasing small amounts of lauric acid throughout the ileum and colon, could reduce glycaemic responses to meals in type 2 diabetes, associated with stimulation of GLP-1. METHODS: Eligible patients, who had type 2 diabetes controlled by diet or metformin, were each studied on two occasions in a hospital setting. After an overnight fast, patients consumed 5 g active pellets (47% lauric acid by weight) or placebo with breakfast (T = 0 min) and lunch (T = 240 min), in a crossover design with order randomised by the hospital pharmacy and allocation concealed by numbered containers. Patients and investigators making measurements were blinded to the intervention. Blood was sampled frequently for blood glucose (the primary outcome) and hormone assays. RESULTS: Eight patients were randomised (four to receive either intervention first), and all completed the study without adverse effects. Blood glucose was lower after breakfast (T = 0-240 min, area under the curve (AUC) 2,075 ± 368 vs 2,216 ± 163 mmol/l × min) and lunch (T = 240-480 min, AUC 1,916 ± 115 vs 2,088 ± 151 mmol/l × min) (p = 0.02 for each) after active pellets than after placebo. Plasma GLP-1 concentrations were higher after breakfast (p = 0.08) and lunch (p = 0.04) for active pellets. While there were no differences in insulin or glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide concentrations, glucagon concentrations were higher after breakfast and lunch (p = 0.002 for each) for active pellets. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Delivering small amounts of nutrient to the ileum and colon can stimulate substantial endogenous GLP-1 release and attenuate postprandial glycaemia. This novel approach has therapeutic potential in type 2 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612000600842. FUNDING: The study was funded by Meyer Nutriceuticals.

Steroid avoidance with early intensified dosing of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium: a randomized multicentre trial in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Short-term intensified dosing using enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) reduces rejection after kidney transplantation without compromising safety and may facilitate steroid avoidance. METHODS: In a 6-month, multicentre open-label trial, 222 de novo kidney transplant recipients at low-immunological risk were randomized to steroid avoidance or maintenance steroids with interleukin (IL)-2 receptor antibody (IL-2RA) induction, EC-MPS (2160 mg/day to Week 6, 1440 mg/day thereafter) and cyclosporine. RESULTS: The primary end point; treatment failure at Month 6 [biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss, death or loss to follow-up], occurred in 17.9% (20/112) of steroid-avoidance patients and 14.5% (16/110) of controls (difference 3.4%, 95% confidence interval -6.3 to 13.1, P = 0.47 for superiority testing). BPAR occurred in 11.6 and 7.3% of patients in the steroid-avoidance and control arms, respectively (P = 0.27). Creatinine clearance was similar at Month 6 (steroid-avoidance 56 ± 18 mL/min/1.73 m(2), controls 60 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m(2), P = 0.34). Cytomegalovirus infection, as reported by investigators, occurred in 12.5% of steroid-avoidance patients and 22.7% of controls (P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: A regimen of early intensified EC-MPS dosing with calcineurin inhibitor and IL-2RA induction permits oral steroid avoidance in adult kidney transplant patients at low-immunological risk without compromising efficacy at 6 months' follow-up.

Formulation and evaluation of bi-layer floating tablets of ziprasidone HCl and trihexyphenidyl HCl / Formulação e avaliação de bi-camada comprimidos flutuantes de ziprasidona HCl e HCl triexifenidila

The purpose of this research study was to establish ziprasidone HCl NR 40 mg and trihexyphenidyl HCl SR 4mg in the form of bi-layer sustained release floating tablets. The tablets were prepared using sodium HPMC K4M / HPMC K15M as bio-adhesive polymers and sodium bicarbonate acting as a floating layer. Tablets were evaluated based on different parameters such as thickness, hardness, friability, weight variation, in vitro dissolution studies, content of active ingredient and IR studies. The physico-chemical properties of the finished product complied with the specifications. In vitro release from the formulation was studied as per the USP XXIII dissolution procedure. The formulations gave a normal release effect followed by sustained release for 12 h which indicates bimodal release of ziprasidone HCl from the matrix tablets. The data obtained was fitted to Peppas models. Analysis of n values of the Korsmeyer equation indicated that the drug release involved non-diffusional mechanisms. By the present study, it can be concluded that bi-layer tablets of ziprasidone HCl and trihexyphenidyl HCl will be a useful strategy for extending the metabolism and improving the bioavailability of Ziprasidone HCl and Trihexyphenidyl HCl.

O propósito deste trabalho foi preparar ziprasidona. HCl NR 40 mg e triexifenidila.HCl SR 4 mg na forma de comprimidos efervescentes bicamada de liberação controlada. Os comprimidos foram preparados utilizando HPMC K4M / HPMC K15M sódico como polímero bioadesivo e bicarbonato como camada efervescente. Os comprimidos foram avaliados quanto a diferentes parâmetros, como espessura, dureza, friabilidade, variação de peso, dissolução in vitro, conteúdo do ingrediente ativo e estudos de IV. As propriedades físico-químicas dos produtos finais cumprem as especificações. A liberação in vitro da formulação foi estudada de acordo com o procedimento de dissolução da USP XXIII. As formulações resultaram em liberação normal, seguida por liberação controlada por 12 h, o que indica a liberação bimodal de cloridrato de ziprasidona dos comprimidos matriz. Os dados obtidos se adequaram aos modelos de Peppas. A análise de valores de n da equação de Korsmeyer indicou que a liberação do fármaco envolveu mecanismos não difusionais. Por este estudo, pode-se concluir que os comprimidos bicamada de ziprasidona.HCl e de triexifenidila.HCl serão um bom caminho para estender o metabolismo e para melhorar a biodisponibilidade de ziprasidona.HCl e de triexifenidila.HCl.

Conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to delayed formulation in pediatric renal transplantation: higher mycophenolic acid predose level but no changes in the immune biomarkers.

EC-MPS was designed to improve MPA-related GII because of MMF, by delaying the release of MPA until reaching the small intestine. At present, its immunosuppressive activity in pediatric renal transplant recipients with GII has not been clarified. We studied eight renal transplant recipients before and after three months of the conversion from MMF to equimolar doses of EC-MPS. After three months of treatment with EC-MPA, GII decreased between 100% and 12.5%. The predose levels of MPA were about 60% higher on EC-MPS (6.9 +/- 1.1 microg/mL) compared with MMF administration (4.2 +/- 0.9 microg/mL). Hemoglobin decreased significantly post-conversion (12.0 +/- 0.4 to 11.0 +/- 0.5 g/dL). Serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and urinary protein excretion did not change. Also, proliferative response and cytotoxic antibodies showed no significant change. The release of interleukin-10 was strikingly augmented with MMF or EC-MPS therapy; meanwhile, gamma-interferon and TNF were low under both treatments. Our data indicate that conversion from MMF to EC-MPS leads to an improvement in GII without altering key elements of immunosuppression.

Treatment of pancreatic exocrine deficiency.

In treating pancreatic exocrine insufficiency the diagnosis of a cause, wherever possible, is a first step. If there is an obstructing lesion, then its relief may be curative. Adequate management depends on dietary manipulation and enzyme replacement. A reduction in fat intake, with accentuation of protein and carbohydrate consumption, is recommended. For enzyme replacement, enteric-coated microspheres are required, taken with adequate acid-suppression with a proton-pump inhibitor. The enzyme supplements, using standard preparations of pancreatin, usually of porcine source, may be as much as 4 to 8 tablets per meal and should be taken with food. Endocrine insufficiency usually requires insulin.

Enteric-coated, pH-dependent peppermint oil capsules for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in children.

In a randomized, double-blind controlled trial, 42 children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were given pH-dependent, enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules or placebo. After 2 weeks, 75% of those receiving peppermint oil had reduced severity of pain associated with IBS. Peppermint oil may be used as a therapeutic agent during the symptomatic phase of IBS.