Febuxostat (Feburic tablet) in the management of hyperuricemia in a general practice cohort of Japanese patients with a high prevalence of cardiovascular problems.

Hyperuricemia is increasing in prevalence and this is paralleled by an increased incidence of acute gout. In addition, there is growing evidence of an association between high serum levels of uric acid (sUA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this preliminary report, we present 12-16 week results from a multicenter, general practice study in which we evaluated the usefulness of febuxostat in a cohort of untreated patients with hyperuricemia with a high prevalence of CVD. Febuxostat titrated from 10 mg/day up to 40 mg/day resulted in statistically significant and clinically relevant reductions in sUA after 12-16 weeks. A "responder" level of 6.0 mg/dL or lower was achieved in 95 of 100 (95%) patients. Significant reductions in sUA were achieved regardless of the presence/absence of coexisting diseases (e.g. CVD, renal insufficiency, diabetes and obesity) or the class of antihypertensive agent being used by the patient. No serious adverse reactions were noted with febuxostat. Although allopurinol has been used generally for hyperuricemia/gout, it is excreted fully via the kidneys, restricting its use in patients with reduced renal function, and its three-times-daily administration leads to poor adherence. Based on the results of this study, febuxostat may provide an easier option than allopurinol for clinicians specializing in CVDs.

The effects of ezetimibe on surrogate markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia.

AIM: To demonstrate the clinical benefit of inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption, we evaluated the effects of ezetimibe on surrogate markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis, lipid and glucose metabolism, and markers of obesity and inflammation. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with dyslipidemia (46 men; mean age 66.5 years), who had not achieved the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal recommended by the Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guideline despite diet and exercise or any statin therapy, were enrolled and additionally treated with ezetimibe (10 mg/day) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to the baseline, LDL-C was reduced by 19.2% (p<0.001) after ezetimibe monotherapy and by 24.7% (p<0.001) after co-administration with ezetimibe and any statin. Ezetimibe therapy decreased cholesterol absorption markers and increased a cholesterol synthesis marker. Treatment with ezetimibe reduced the fasting serum insulin level (p<0.05) and HbA1c (p<0.05), increased serum adiponectin (p<0.01), and showed a significant decrease of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP, p<0.01). No adverse events occurred during the study. CONCLUSION: Thus, cholesterol absorption inhibition by ezetimibe is an important therapeutic strategy since LDL-C and cholesterol absorption markers had a positive correlation. Ezetimibe not only reduced the serum LDL-C level but also improved glucose metabolism as well as obesity and inflammation markers. These findings support the benefit of ezetimibe as a new option for the treatment of dyslipidemia.