Anti-inflammatory bowel effect of industrial orange by-products in DSS-treated mice.

This work addresses the role of different by-products derived from the industrial extraction of orange juice in a possible anti-inflammatory effect in mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Fresh orange residue (FOR), dry orange residue (DOR), orange liqueur (OL) and animal feed (AF), as well as commercial citrus pectin (CP), were administered to C57BL/6J mice for 15 days before starting the DSS treatment. Analysis of macroscopic parameters such as the Disease Activity Index (DAI) and the colonic weight/length ratio revealed an anti-inflammatory effect following intake of FOR, AF or CP. Moreover, q-PCR of RNA from colonic tissue indicated measurable changes in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, iNOS, and intercellular adhesion molecules ICAM I, as well as in intestinal barrier proteins such as MUC-3, occludin, and ZO-1. Pectin, phenolic compounds and/or Maillard reaction products formed at initial steps were identified as relevant components exerting the ascribed beneficial effects. Our findings could open up the further application of a variety of orange by-products as food supplements in the potential amelioration of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Composition of legume soaking water and emulsifying properties in gluten-free bread.

Soaking of legumes results in the loss of macronutrients, micronutrients and phytochemicals. Fibre, protein and phytochemicals found in legumes exert emulsifying activity that may improve the structure and texture of gluten-free bread. The legume soaking water of haricot beans, garbanzo chickpeas, whole green lentils, split yellow peas and yellow soybeans were tested in this study for functional properties and use as food ingredients. Composition, physicochemical properties and effect on the quality of gluten-free bread were determined for each legume soaking water. Haricot beans and split yellow peas released the highest amount of solids in the legume soaking water: 1.89 and 2.38 g/100 g, respectively. Insoluble fibre was the main constituent of haricot beans legume soaking water, while water-soluble carbohydrates and protein were the major fraction of split yellow peas. High quantities of phenolics (∼400 µg/g) and saponins (∼3 mg/g) were found in the legume soaking water of haricot beans, whole green lentils and split yellow peas. High emulsifying activity (46 and 50%) was found for the legume soaking water of garbanzo chickpeas and split yellow peas, probably due to their protein content and high ratio of water-soluble carbohydrates to dry matter. Such activity resulted in softer texture of the gluten-free bread. A homogeneous structure of crumb pores was found for split yellow peas, opposing that of whole green lentils. A balance between the contents of yeast nutrients and antinutrients was the likely basis of the different appearances.

Phenol-enriched olive oils improve HDL antioxidant content in hypercholesterolemic subjects. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over, controlled trial.

At present, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function is thought to be more relevant than HDL cholesterol quantity. Consumption of olive oil phenolic compounds (PCs) has beneficial effects on HDL-related markers. Enriched food with complementary antioxidants could be a suitable option to obtain additional protective effects. Our aim was to ascertain whether virgin olive oils (VOOs) enriched with (a) their own PC (FVOO) and (b) their own PC plus complementary ones from thyme (FVOOT) could improve HDL status and function. Thirty-three hypercholesterolemic individuals ingested (25 ml/day, 3 weeks) (a) VOO (80 ppm), (b) FVOO (500 ppm) and (c) FVOOT (500 ppm) in a randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover trial. A rise in HDL antioxidant compounds was observed after both functional olive oil interventions. Nevertheless, α-tocopherol, the main HDL antioxidant, was only augmented after FVOOT versus its baseline. In conclusion, long-term consumption of phenol-enriched olive oils induced a better HDL antioxidant content, the complementary phenol-enriched olive oil being the one which increased the main HDL antioxidant, α-tocopherol. Complementary phenol-enriched olive oil could be a useful dietary tool for improving HDL richness in antioxidants.

Inter-Sectoral Bisphenol A (BPA) Flows in the 2012 Chinese Economy.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used petrochemical compound, has become an emerging global environmental management challenge because its leakage is associated with potential environmental and human health impacts. Until now, available BPA statistics have been limited to the products that directly use BPA. In this study, we delineate direct and indirect BPA flows for the 2012 Chinese economy. We find that construction, production of educational and recreational products, and automobile manufacturing are the most BPA-intensive sectors in terms of total BPA flows (300, 157, and 130 Gg total BPA flows, respectively). The public management and health sectors, however, incur significant indirect BPA flows, defined as embedded and inter-sectoral BPA placed into use, even though direct BPA use by these sectors is limited. By revealing the currently overlooked indirect BPA flows, this study reveals data gaps that are highly relevant to improving the accuracy of estimated BPA flows and losses. The method used herein is transferrable to other emerging and environmentally relevant materials, thereby providing the holistic understanding needed for cities, regions, or nations to design effective policy interventions.

Thinned stone fruits are a source of polyphenols and antioxidant compounds.

BACKGROUND: Thinned fruits are agricultural by-products that contain large quantities of interesting compounds due to their early maturity stage. In this work, the phenolic profile and the antioxidant activity of six thinned stone fruits (apricot, cherry, flat peach, peach, plum and nectarine) have been investigated, focussing on proanthocyanidins. RESULTS: Thinned nectarine had the highest content of total phenols [67.43 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g-1 dry weight (DW)] and total flavonoids (56.97 mg CE g-1 DW) as well as the highest antioxidant activity measured by DPPH scavenging (133.30 mg [Trolox equivalents (TE) g-1 DW] and FRAP assay (30.42 mg TE g-1 DW). Proanthocyanidins were very abundant in these by-products, and the main phenolic group quantified in cherry (10.54 mg g-1 DW), flat peach (33.47 mg g-1 DW) and nectarine (59.89 mg g-1 DW), while hydroxycinnamic acids predominate in apricot, peach and plum (6.67, 22.04 and 23.75 mg g-1 DW, respectively). The low, mean degree of polymerisation of proanthocyanidins suggests that their bioavailability could be very high. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that thinned stone fruit extracts might be used as antioxidants in foods or as a source of compounds with health-related benefits that can be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Tannin profile of different Monastrell wines and its relation to projected market prices.

This study focuses on the differences or similarities in tannin composition and concentration in Monastrell wines from different wineries from the same geographic area and, within each winery, from wines elaborated based on different projected market prices, to determine whether there is any relationship between the wine tannin composition and the projected price. The tannin composition of the different wines, all of them analyzed at the same point during winemaking, indicated that those elaborated as premium wines presented higher phenol and tannin contents. The mean degree of polymerization of these wines was also positively related with the projected price, which agreed with the results obtained by size exclusion chromatography, that showed that wines with high projected prices had a higher proportion of polymeric tannins, suggesting that techniques favoring the extraction of skin tannins were mostly used in those wines projected as premium wines, probably looking for greater mouthfeel complexity.

Optimization of extraction parameters on the antioxidant properties of banana waste.

BACKGROUND: Banana is grown worldwide and consumed as ripe fruit or used for culinary purposes. Peels form about 18-33% of the whole fruit and are discarded as a waste product. With a view to exploiting banana peel as a source of valuable compounds, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different extraction parameters on the antioxidant activities of the industrial by-product of banana waste (peel). METHODS: Influence of different extraction parameters such as types of solvent, percentages of solvent, and extraction times on total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of mature and green peels of Pisang Abu (PA), Pisang Berangan (PB), and Pisang Mas (PM) were investigated. The best extraction parameters were initially selected based on different percentages of ethanol (0-100% v/v), extraction time (1-5 hr), and extraction temperature (25-60°C) for extraction of antioxidants in the banana peels. Total phenolic content (TPC) was evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent assay while antioxidant activities (AA) of banana peel were accessed by DPPH, ABTS, and ß-carotene bleaching (BCB) assays at optimum extraction conditions. RESULTS: Based on different extraction solvents and percentages of solvents used, 70% and 90% of acetone had yielded the highest TPC for the mature and green PA peels, respectively; 90% of ethanol and methanol has yielded the highest TPC for the mature and green PB peels, respectively; while 90% ethanol for the mature and green PM peels. Similar extraction conditions were found for the antioxidant activities for the banana peel assessed using DPPH assay except for green PB peel, which 70% methanol had contributed to the highest AA. Highest TPC and AA were obtained by applying 4, 1, and 2 hrs extraction for the peels of PA, PB and PM, respectively. The best extraction conditions were also used for determination of AAs using ABTS and ß-carotene bleaching assays. Therefore, the best extraction conditions used have given the highest TPC and AAs. CONCLUSIONS: By-products of banana (peel) can be considered as a potential source of antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical industry.

Experimental benznidazole treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi II strains isolated from children of the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with Chagas disease

Trypanosoma cruzi strains from distinct geographic areas show differences in drug resistance and association between parasites genetic and treatment response has been observed. Considering that benznidazole (BZ) can reduce the parasite burden and tissues damage, even in not cured animals and individuals, the goal is to assess the drug response to BZ of T. cruzi II strains isolated from children of the Jequitinhonha Valley, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, before treatment. Mice infected and treated with BZ in both phases of infection were compared with the untreated and evaluated by fresh blood examination, haemoculture, polymerase chain reaction, conventional (ELISA) and non-conventional (FC-ALTA) serologies. In mice treated in the acute phase, a significant decrease in parasitaemia was observed for all strains. Positive parasitological and/or serological tests in animals treated during the acute and chronic (95.1-100%) phases showed that most of the strains were BZ resistant. However, beneficial effect was demonstrated because significant reduction (p < 0.05%) and/or suppression of parasitaemia was observed in mice infected with all strains (acute phase), associated to reduction/elimination of inflammation and fibrosis for two/eight strains. BZ offered some benefit, even in not cured animals, what suggest that BZ use may be recommended at least for recent chronic infection of the studied region.

[Clinical and economical evaluation of new analgesics for the management of chronic pain]. / Valutazione clinica ed economica di nuovi analgesici per la gestione del dolore cronico.

The management of chronic pain still represent a challenge for physicians. Opioids are the main stem in the treatment of chronic severe pain, not only for their potency, but as they act as central drugs. The main limit to their utilization in clinical practice is the prevalence of side effects, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, whose constipation represents the most common. Two new formulations are nowadays available on the market: tapentadol PR (TAP PR) and oxycodone/naloxone (OXN). A recent meta-analysis showed that both drugs have a better tolerability profile than a tradizional opioid, such as oxycodone CR (OXY CR), but TAP PR reduces by 47% (RR=0.53) the percentage of patients discontinuing treatment because of side effects, compared to 24% (RR=0.76) of OXN. A similar advantage has been reported in the reduction of the risk of developing nausea and/or vomiting: TAP PR reduces the risk by 47% (RR=0.53), while OXN reduces the risk by only by 10% (RR=0.90). Both drugs reduced by about 40% the risk of constipation (RR=0.61 for TAP PR and for OXN). These results have been recently confirmed by a direct comparison of the two formulations (TAP PR vs OXN) in patients with chronic low back pain with neuropathic component. Both drugs were reported to be effective in reducing pain intensity and neuropathic symptoms, however TAP PR resulted superior to OXN in terms of analgesic efficacy, quality of life, and tolerability, in particular regarding constipation and adherence to treatment. A pharmacoeconomic analysis can be useful to understand the costs of these clinical advantages, and can be done by using a probabilistic analisys and by populating a Markov model that simulates the transition in time of 100 patients through 4 different possible health states: 1) still on treatment; 2) presence of adverse events; 3) discontinuation; 4) death. Both treatments (TAP PR and OXN) have been shown to have an excellent cost-effectiveness profile. In the case of OXN, in one year, 0.29 QALYs were gained compared to the use of OXY CR at an additional cost of € 138 resulting in a cost per QALY gained of € 475 (€ 138/0.29). In the case of TAP PR, instead, 0.31 QALYs were gained with additional savings due to the reduction of drug side effects, hospitalizations and emergency department access. Therefore, the use of TAP PR implies an average saving of € 31.6 per patient. These data are the results of a pharmacoeconomic model and require a further validation in clinical practice.

Pharmacokinetics of prenylated hop phenols in women following oral administration of a standardized extract of hops.

SCOPE: Women seeking alternatives to hormone-replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms often try botanical dietary supplements containing extracts of hops (Humulus lupulus L.). Hops contain 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), a potent phytoestrogen, the related flavanones 6-prenylnaringenin and isoxanthohumol (IX), and the prenylated chalcone xanthohumol (XN). METHODS AND RESULTS: After chemically and biologically standardizing an extract of spent hops to these marker compounds, an escalating dose study was carried out in menopausal women to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics. 8-PN, 6-prenylnaringenin, IX, and XN, sex hormones, and prothrombin time were determined in blood samples and/or 24 h urine samples. There was no effect on sex hormones or blood clotting. The maximum serum concentrations of the prenylated phenols were dose-dependent and were reached from 2 to 7 h, indicating slow absorption. The marker compounds formed glucuronides that were found in serum and urine. Secondary peaks at 5 h in the serum concentration-time curves indicated enterohepatic recirculation. The serum concentration-time curves indicated demethylation of IX to form 8-PN and cyclization of XN to IX. Slow absorption and enterohepatic recirculation contributed to half-lives exceeding 20 h. CONCLUSION: This human study indicated long half-lives of the estrogenic and proestrogenic prenylated phenols in hops but no acute toxicity.

Influence of olive leaf processing on the bioaccessibility of bioactive polyphenols.

Olive leaves are rich in bioactive compounds, which are beneficial for humans. The objective of this work was to assess the influence of processing conditions (drying and extraction) of olive leaves on the extract's bioaccessibility. Thus, extracts obtained from dried olive leaves (hot air drying at 70 and 120 °C or freeze-drying) by means of conventional or ultrasound-assisted extraction were subjected to in vitro digestion. Antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and HPLC-DAD/MS/MS analysis were carried out during digestion. The dehydration treatment used for the olive leaves did not have a meaningful influence on bioaccessibility. The digestion process significantly (p<0.05) affected the composition of the extracts. Oleuropein and verbascoside were quite resistant to gastric digestion but were largely degraded in the intestinal phase. Nevertheless, luteolin-7-O-glucoside was the most stable polyphenol during the in vitro simulation (43% bioaccessibility). Therefore, this compound may be taken into consideration in further studies that focus on the bioactivity of olive leaf extracts.

Clinical and economic evaluation of tapentadol extended release and oxycodone/naloxone extended release in comparison with controlled release oxycodone in musculoskeletal pain.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability and represents a relevant societal burden. Opioids are widely used for managing chronic non-cancer pain; however, the high incidence of side effects is often the main reason for discontinuation. Two formulations have recently been studied to improve the tolerability of opioids (tapentadol extended release [ER] and oxycodone/naloxone ER), but a direct comparison between these drugs is not available in the literature. The comparative cost effectiveness of these two drugs has not previously been assessed. The objective of this meta-analysis is a clinical and economic evaluation of tapentadol ER and oxycodone/naloxone ER for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, by indirect comparison with controlled release (CR) oxycodone. METHODS: A structured literature review was conducted to identify published data for the health-economic model. The authors performed a meta-analysis on three selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for each treatment (tapentadol ER and oxycodone/naloxone ER). As measure of treatment effect, risk ratio was calculated, compared to the control active treatment (CR oxycodone), for the following outcomes: discontinuation rate due to adverse events, due to gastrointestinal (GE) side effects and central nervous system (CNS) side effects. A Markov model was developed to compare the cost effectiveness of tapentadol ER and oxycodone/naloxone ER. Four health states were defined: (1) patients still on treatment; (2) occurrence of adverse events (gastroenterology, central nervous system); (3) treatment discontinuation as consequence of ineffectiveness of treatment; and (4) treatment discontinuation as consequence of adverse events. RESULTS: Both drugs showed a significant clinical advantage over the active control, CR oxycodone; however, tapentadol ER resulted in a better risk ratio reduction for the primary outcome of discontinuation rate due to adverse events and for the secondary outcome nausea and vomiting. The two drugs gave equivalent results in the capacity of reduction of constipation risk. In the economic evaluation both interventions were cost effective compared with CR oxycodone. However, tapentadol ER showed the most favorable results as in 65% of cases it was less costly and produced a considerable quality adjusted life years (QALY) gain. The higher impact of tapentadol ER on the cost effectiveness results was probably due to the price and the lower incidence of adverse events and related discontinuation rate, resulting in a further economic advantage. CONCLUSION: Both tapentadol ER and oxycodone/naloxone ER are cost effective interventions compared with CR oxycodone; however, tapentadol ER was shown to provide better clinical outcomes at lower costs.

Phenolic-enriched fractions from brewers' spent grain possess cellular antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects in cell culture model systems.

BACKGROUND: Large quantities of brewers' spent grain (BSG), a co-product of the brewing industry, are produced annually. BSG contains hydroxycinnamic acids, and phenolic-rich extracts from BSG have previously demonstrated the ability to protect against oxidant-induced DNA damage. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of eight phenolic extracts from BSG: four pale (P1-P4) and four black (B1-B4) extracts. RESULTS: BSG extracts were more cytotoxic in Jurkat T than U937 cells, with lower IC50 values in Jurkat T cells, measured using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Pale BSG extracts P2 and P3 showed the greatest anti-inflammatory potential, significantly (P < 0.05) reducing interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4, P2 only), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. In addition, extracts P1-P3 and B2-B4 showed significant (P < 0.05) antioxidant effects, determined by the cellular antioxidant activity assays superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione content (GSH). CONCLUSION: Phenolic extracts from BSG, particularly the pale BSG extracts, have the ability to reduce a stimulated cytokine production and may also protect against cellular oxidative stress. Results of the present study highlight the potential of BSG phenolic extracts to act as functional food ingredients, providing an alternative use and improving the value of this brewing industry co-product.

Bioactive stilbenes from Vitis vinifera grapevine shoots extracts.

BACKGROUND: Viticultural residues from commercial viticultural activities represent a potentially important source of bioactive stilbenes such as resveratrol. The main aim of the present study was therefore to isolate, identify and perform biological assays against amyloid-ß peptide aggregation of original stilbenes from Vitis vinifera shoots. RESULTS: A new resveratrol oligomer, (Z)-cis-miyabenol C (3), was isolated from Vitis vinifera grapevine shoots together with two newly reported oligostilbenes from Vitis vinifera shoots, vitisinol C (1) and (E)-cis-miyabenol C (2), and six known compounds: piceatannol, resveratrol, (E)-ε-viniferin (trans-ε-viniferin), ω-viniferin, vitisinol C and (E)-miyabenol C. The structures of these resveratrol derivatives were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis including nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. All the newly reported compounds were tested for their anti-aggregative activity against amyloid-ß fibril formation. Vitisinol C was found to exert a significant activity against amyloid-ß aggregation. CONCLUSION: Vitis vinifera grapevine shoots are potentially interesting as a source of new bioactive stilbenes, such as vitisinol C.

Microwave and micronization treatments affect dehulling characteristics and bioactive contents of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

BACKGROUND: Heat pretreatment is considered the first step in grain milling. This study therefore evaluated microwave and micronization heat treatments in improving the dehulling characteristics, phenolic composition and antioxidant and α-amylase activities of bean cultivars from three market classes. RESULTS: Heat treatments improved dehulling characteristics (hull yield, rate coefficient and reduced abrasive hardness index) depending on bean cultivar, whereas treatment effects increased with dehulling time. Micronization increased minor phenolic components (tartaric esters, flavonols and anthocyanins) of all beans but had variable effects on total phenolic content depending on market class. Microwave treatment increased α-amylase inhibitor concentration, activity and potency, which were strongly correlated (r² = 0.71, P < 0.0001) with the flavonol content of beans. Heat treatment had variable effects on the phenolic composition of bean hulls obtained by abrasive dehulling without significantly altering the antioxidant activity of black and pinto bean hulls. Principal component analysis on 22 constituents analyzed in this study demonstrated the differences in dehulling characteristics and phenolic components of beans and hulls as major factors in segregating the beneficial heat treatment effects. CONCLUSION: Heat treatment may be useful in developing novel dietary fibers from beans with variable composition and bioactivity with a considerable range of applications as functional food ingredients.

Budget impact analysis of tapentadol extended release for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic noncancer pain.

BACKGROUND: Opioids are commonly used to manage chronic pain. Although traditional µ-opioids are effective in reducing pain, they are often associated with opioid-induced side effects (OISEs) that can limit treatment effectiveness. Studies have shown that tapentadol extended release (ER) has a lower incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events than oxycodone controlled release (CR) at equianalgesic doses. OBJECTIVE: A model was developed to estimate the budget impact of placing tapentadol ER on a hypothetical US health plan formulary of Schedule II long-acting opioids. METHODS: We estimated annual direct health care costs for patients who received 6-month therapy with long-acting formulations of tapentadol, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, or fentanyl. Costs included medications, copayments, OISE management, and switching/discontinuation. Published estimates of incidence/prevalence, OISEs, and pain management resources and costs were used. The base case analysis assumed a 10% formulary share of tapentadol ER with a 10% decrease of oxycodone CR. The resulting per-member per-month (PMPM) formulary cost differences and results of a 1-way sensitivity analysis are reported. RESULTS: In a health plan of 500,000 members, 2600 (0.52%) are estimated to experience chronic pain annually. Adding tapentadol ER to the formulary was associated with an annual budget savings of $148,945 ($0.0248 PMPM). This savings was achieved through a decrease in both pharmacy costs ($144,062; $0.0240 PMPM) and medical costs ($4883; $0.0008 PMPM). Cost decreases were driven by lower daily average consumption and fewer OISEs with tapentadol ER versus oxycodone CR, leading to reduced resource utilization over 6 months of treatment. Sensitivity analyses showed results were most sensitive to drug acquisition costs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that replacing 10% of oxycodone CR's formulary share with tapentadol ER would decrease the overall budget of a health plan with 500,000 members. Placing tapentadol ER on a health plan formulary may result in a reduction in both pharmacy and medical costs.

Florets of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.): potential new sources of dietary fiber and phenolic acids.

Ray florets (Rf) and disc florets (Df) are agricultural byproducts of sunflower seeds. Their nutrition-related compounds were determined. The dietary fiber contents in Rf and Df were 42.90 mg/100 g and 58.97 mg/100 g. In both florets, palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were identified as the three most abundant fatty acids, and the saturated ones constitute approximately two-thirds (w/w) of the total fatty acids. Lysine was the limiting amino acid in both florets by World Health Organization standards. Sixteen phenolic compounds, nine free and eight bound, mainly depsides, were identified in florets by RP-HPLC-DAD/ESI-TOF-MS. The free and bound phenolic compounds in Df were higher than in Rf. 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid was the predominant free phenolic compound in both florets. The present study revealed that the florets of sunflower are rich sources of dietary fiber, Fe, and phenols.

Real-world treatment pattern and outcomes among patients who took tapentadol IR or oxycodone IR.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in patient characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, and healthcare costs among patients receiving immediate release (IR) formulations of tapentadol (TAP IR) or oxycodone (OXY IR). METHODS: Patients (≥18 years) who took TAP IR or OXY IR (6/1/2009-7/31/2011) were selected from the OptumInsight Clinformatics Data Mart claims database. Patients were assigned to the TAP IR or OXY IR cohort based on initial drug usage (index event). Continuous health plan coverage 60 days before (baseline period) and after (follow-up period) the index event was required. TAP IR patients were matched to OXY IR patients (1:1) using exact match of key patient characteristics and propensity score matching with patient demographics and clinical characteristics as covariates. T-test and chi-squared test were utilized to evaluate differences in patient characteristics, healthcare utilization and charges among cohorts. RESULTS: Patient profiles during the baseline period significantly differed among TAP IR users (n = 17,539) and OXY IR users (n = 85,821) in the overall study population. The matched sample of TAP IR and OXY IR patients (n = 10,185 in both cohorts) had similar patient characteristics. During the 60-day follow-up period, patients who took TAP IR had a shorter mean hospital LOS (0.21 vs 0.35 days, p < 0.0001), a lower mean number of hospitalizations (0.07 vs 0.10, p < 0.0001), and lower mean inpatient ($2900 vs $4382, p < 0.001) and outpatient healthcare charges ($10,550 vs $11,084, p = 0.047). The higher index opioid prescription charge of TAP IR ($190 vs $150, p < 0.0001) was offset by other lower healthcare charges. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of patients who took TAP IR were different from patients who took OXY IR in many respects. In the sub-set of patients matched on demographic and clinical characteristics, those who took TAP IR used healthcare resources to a lesser extent, which was reflected in their lower healthcare charges, relative to OXY IR users.