Longer-acting factor VIII to overcome limitations in haemophilia management: the PEGylated liposomes formulation issue.

Injected factor VIII (FVIII), the current treatment for haemophilia A, leads to major improvements in the quality of life and life expectancy of individuals with this disorder. However, because injected FVIII has a short half-life in vivo, this strategy has major limitations for highly demanding regimens (e.g. prophylaxis, immune tolerance induction, surgery). Newer formulations of longer-acting FVIII are presently under investigation. The use of low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG)-containing liposomes as carriers for recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) results in the prolongation of haemostatic efficacy. Data from preclinical experiments in mice, early clinical evaluations, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics results indicate that an rFVIII pegylated liposomal formulation may provide potential clinical benefit to patients with severe haemophilia A by prolonging the protection from bleeding. In light of this potential clinical benefit, a multicentre, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority phase II trial with two parallel treatment arms and equal randomization after stratification for the presence or absence of target joints in patients and for ages >/=18 years vs. <18 years is currently being conducted. The study will test the hypothesis that rFVIII-Lip once-weekly prophylaxis is not inferior to rFVIII-water for injection thrice-weekly prophylaxis. A total of 250 patients will be enrolled with severe haemophilia A (<1% FVIII) on on-demand or secondary prophylaxis treatment and with documented bleeds or injections during the 6 months before study entry. Sixty-four centres in 14 different countries are involved in the study; recruitment is underway. In Italy, six centres have already included 15 patients (no screening failure). Eight of these patients have completed the run-in phase and have begun the home treatment. No unexpected serious adverse events have been reported thus far. Data emerging from this phase II study will help collect relevant data to overcome current limitations in haemophilia management by employing treatment with longer-acting rFVIII.

Inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by erythromycin and flurythromycin, two macrolide antibiotics.

Fourteen-member-ring macrolides are antibiotics with a variety of anti-inflammatory activities, and have repeatedly been reported to reduce mucus hypersecretion in conditions such as cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Their structure is characterized by a macrocyclic lactone ring. Because human neutrophil elastase (HNE) plays a crucial role in the vicious circle leading to mucus hypersecretion, and lactones are known to be elastase inhibitors, we hypothesized that macrolides might directly inhibit elastase. To investigate this hypothesis we designed a series of spectrophotometric experiments using a chromogenic substrate with two macrolides, erythromycin (Er) and flurythromycin (FE). We determined the 1st order rate constant (k(obs)) by inhibition and competitive substrate assays, the latter allowing us to calculate the substrate binding constant or inhibition constant and the acylation rate constant (k(a)). A proflavine displacement assay was used to determine the deacylation rate constant (k(d)). Both Er and FE are good HNE inhibitors, showing a high k(a) and a low k(d). Because the number of turnovers per inactivation of Er was congruent with 20-fold higher than that of FE, we supposed that the lower reactivation of HNE-FE was due to the formation of a more stable inactivated enzyme. This hypothesis was confirmed by the hydrazine reactivation of the acyl enzyme. For Er we identified a k(d) only, whereas for FE, in addition to the k(d), an alkylation constant (k(2)) was calculated, correlated to a fully inactivated enzyme. From our kinetics data, we therefore conclude that Er acts as an alternate substrate HNE inhibitor, whereas FE acts as an inactivator.

Neuroprotective effects of nicergoline in immortalized neurons.

We studied the potential neuroprotective action of nicergoline in immortalized hypothalamic GT1-7 cells exposed to agents which deplete levels of reduced glutathione, thus causing oxidative stress and cell death. Treatment with diethylmaleate (1 mM), buthionine sulfoximine (500 microM) or menadione (10-50 microM) caused diffuse GT1-7 cell degeneration, as assessed by using either the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay or the fluorescent dyes fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. Pre- and/or co-exposure of the cells to nicergoline significantly prevented diethylmaleate- or buthionine sulfoximine-induced neuronal death, whereas nicergoline was ineffective against menadione-induced toxicity. This effect was concentration-dependent and was mimicked by the classical antioxidants idebenone and vitamin E, and did not depend on interference with protein kinase C. Interestingly, the antineurodegenerative activity of nicergoline and vitamin E or idebenone was not additive, suggesting that these compounds share some intracellular mechanism(s) responsible for their protective effects. In conclusion, the present data indicate that nicergoline has neuroprotective activity, possibly mediated by the antioxidant activity of the molecule, and give support to the potential use of nicergoline in the prevention and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

Haloperidol-induced changes in glutathione and energy metabolism: effect of nicergoline.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of nicergoline, a semisynthetic ergot derivative, on the biochemical changes observed during chronic treatment with haloperidol in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Chronic treatment with haloperidol induced a significant decrease in the cellular glutathione (GSH) content in selected areas of the brain (cerebellum, striatum and cortex) and in the liver. Prolonged nicergoline administration was able to antagonize the haloperidol-induced GSH decrease, maintaining the GSH concentration at levels comparable to those observed in the control group. Analysis of the energy charge revealed changes similar to those observed for GSH: haloperidol induced a significant decrease in ATP and energy charge that was completely reversed by repeated nicergoline administration. In conclusion, chronic treatment with the classical antipsychotic haloperidol induces profound biochemical changes in the brain and in the liver. Nicergoline treatment is able to counteract the haloperidol-induced decrease in GSH levels and energy charge, suggesting a potential role of the drug in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced side effects.

One-year treatment with ethyl esters of n-3 fatty acids in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and glucose intolerance: reduced triglyceridemia, total cholesterol and increased HDL-C without glycemic alterations.

n-3 Fatty acids in the form of ethyl esters (EE) allow lower daily doses and improved compliance. Administration of n-3 fatty acids to patients with glucose intolerance has led to controversial findings, some studies indicating worsening of the disorder, others no effect, or an improvement. A total of 935 patients with hypertriglyceridemia, associated with additional cardiovascular risk factors, i.e. glucose intolerance, NIDDM and/or arterial hypertension were entered a double blind (DB) protocol lasting 6 months with n-3 EE versus placebo, followed by a further 6 months of open study (n = 868) on 2 g a day of n-3 EE. At the end of the DB period, triglyceridemia in the total group was reduced significantly more by n-3 EE, without alterations in glycemic parameters. In the 6 months open follow up, patients on n-3 EE with type IIB hyperlipoproteinemia showed a significant reduction of total cholesterol, both in cases with (-4.15% vs. the 6 month levels) and without NIDDM (-3.8%). HDL-cholesterol had an overall mean rise of 7.4%, maximal in type IV patients with (+9.1%) and without (+10.1%) NIDDM. No alterations in glycemic parameters were detected in treated patients. Administration of n-3 EE to patients with hypertriglyceridemia associated with NIDDM or impaired glucose tolerance appears safe and effective.

N-3 fatty acids do not lead to an increased diabetic risk in patients with hyperlipidemia and abnormal glucose tolerance. Italian Fish Oil Multicenter Study.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, place-bo-controlled study evaluated the possible worsening of glycemic control after a moderate daily intake of n-3 fatty acid ethyl esters in patients with hypertriglyceridemia with and without glucose intolerance or diabetes. A total of 935 patients of both sexes in 63 Italian clinical centers were selected; 55% had either impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). They received for 2 mo either 1 g n-3 ethyl esters three times a day or a corresponding placebo, followed by 4 mo of either 1 g n-3 ethyl esters twice a day or placebo. In addition to the complete lipid and lipoprotein evaluation, patients with impaired glucose tolerance also underwent an oral-glucose-tolerance test; in patients with NIDDM, serum insulin and glycated hemoglobin (Hb A1c) concentrations were determined. Plasma triacylglycerol concentrations decreased significantly, up to 21.53% at 6 mo compared with baseline (decreased 15% compared with placebo), with a tendency toward a progressive reduction with time. There was no evidence for a different response in patients with either NIDDM or impaired glucose tolerance. Among NIDDM patients, the triacylglycerol reduction was greater in those with high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol < or = 0.91 mmol/L. There was no alteration in the major glycemic indexes: fasting glucose, Hb A1c, insulinemia, and oral glucose tolerance in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or NIDDM after treatment with n-3 ethyl esters. Treatment with a moderate daily dose of n-3 ethyl esters over a prolonged period of time significantly reduced triacylglycerol concentrations without any worsening of glucose tolerance in patients with hypertriglyceridemia with and without impaired glycemic regulation.

Indobufen versus warfarin in the secondary prevention of major vascular events in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. SIFA (Studio Italiano Fibrillazione Atriale) Investigators.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The results of a large prospective randomized trial have shown the efficacy of oral anticoagulation in the secondary prevention of major vascular events in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation (NRAF); less well established is the role of antiplatelet agents. The present study compared the effects of indobufen, a reversible inhibitor of platelet cyclooxygenase, with those of warfarin in this setting. METHODS: A total of 916 patients with NRAF and a recent (< or = 15 days) cerebral ischemic episode were admitted to this multicenter, randomized study, during which they were treated with either indobufen (100 or 200 mg BID) or warfarin (to obtain an international normalized ratio of 2.0 to 3.5) for 12 months. The two groups (462 on indobufen and 454 on warfarin) were well balanced in terms of their main baseline characteristics. The primary outcome of the study was the combined incidence of nonfatal stroke (including intracerebral bleeding), pulmonary or systemic embolism, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and vascular death. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, the incidence of primary outcome events was 10.6% in the indobufen group (95% confidence interval, 7.7% to 13.5%) and 9.0% in the warfarin group (95% confidence interval, 6.3% to 11.8%), with no statistically significant difference between treatments. The frequency of noncerebral major bleeding complications was low: only four cases (0.9%) of gastrointestinal bleeding were observed, all of them in the warfarin group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, within the limitations of its design, this study may help the medical community in devising appropriate antithrombotic strategies for NRAF patients for whom oral anticoagulants are contraindicated or do not represent a feasible approach to treatment.

[The use of a synthetic film (Bioprocess) in abrasions and second degree burns. Preliminary study in the emergency room]. / Utilizzo di una pellicola sintetica (Bioprocess) nelle abrasioni e nelle ustioni di secondo grado. Studio preliminare in Pronto Soccorso.

This study analyzes the usage of Bioprocess in abrasions and second degree burns, observing advantages and disadvantages of this treatment. This clinical research shows an important control against pain, a good hemostatic effect, an apparent reduction of healing time, an excellent cicatrization quality.

[Frequency of surgical wound infections in patients treated with a barrier procedure. Multicentric study]. / Analisi della frequenza di infezioni della ferita chirurgica in pazienti trattati con un provvedimento ad effetto barriera. Ricerca multicentrica.

In 3088 patients submitted to various surgical procedures an open clinical trial was carried out to evaluate the rare of surgical wound infections (SWI). All of them were treated, before and after surgery, with a foam emulsion (Bioshield) considered, from a theoretical point of view, to be able decrease the bacterial contamination of the surgical wounds. The SWI rate was really low (congruent to 2.3%) and a favorable role played by Bioshield cannot be excluded, both minimizing the skin lesions of the surgeon's hands and reducing wound contamination by exogenous flora.

Indobufen in the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with heart disease. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the efficacy of indobufen, a reversible inhibitor of platelet cyclooxygenase, in the prevention of embolic events of cardiac origin. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six patients with heart disease and at risk for cardiogenic embolism (90 with atrial fibrillation and 106 in sinus rhythm) were randomly assigned to receive indobufen (100 mg b.i.d.) or placebo. All patients were reexamined every 3 months for the duration of the study. The primary study end points were cerebral ischemic attack (stroke and transient ischemic attack), systemic embolism, pulmonary embolism, and fatal myocardial infarction. The median duration of treatment was 854 days in the indobufen group and 865 days in the placebo group. The frequencies of primary end points (fatal and nonfatal) were 6.1% and 17.3%, respectively, in the indobufen and placebo groups (p < 0.05) for a reduction of 65% in the risk of a primary event (indobufen/placebo relative risk, 0.35; 95% confidence limits, 0.14-0.89). Adverse drug reactions, mostly gastrointestinal or hemostasis disorders, occurred in 9.2% of indobufen-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicate that indobufen may reduce the risk of ischemic events in patients with heart disease associated with an increased risk of embolism.

Indobufen versus placebo in the prevention of restenosis after carotid endarterectomy: a double-blind pilot study.

A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of indobufen in inhibiting platelet adhesiveness in carotid thromboendarterectomy. The patients were treated under double-blind conditions with indobufen and with placebo, and were then assessed by means of scintigraphy with labelled platelets, ultrasonic tomography and angiography for a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Haematological and clinical assessments were also performed. The results of the study suggest that platelet accumulation in carotid endarterectomy may be an early sign of restenosis; anti-aggregant treatment with indobufen carried out at an early stage prior to surgery inhibited platelet accumulation. The final result showed that anti-aggregant treatment had a positive influence on the short- and medium-term outcome of carotid endarterectomy.

Weakening effect of famotidine but not of nizatidine on the mucus-bicarbonate barrier of the human stomach.

Twenty outpatients with various duodenal disorders but endoscopically normal gastric mucosa were randomly treated for 4 weeks with either nizatidine (300 mg h.s.) or famotidine (40 mg h.s.). Before and after treatment quantitative and qualitative evaluations of gastric mucus secretion as well as measurement of gastric bicarbonate output were performed. No changes in the mucus-bicarbonate barrier were observed after nizatidine treatment. In contrast, famotidine was found to impair the quality of mucus, thus weakening the mucosal defences against re-ulceration after treatment withdrawal.

[Tolerance and effectiveness of transdermal nitroglycerin in angina pectoris. A multicenter study. Adesitrin Italian Study Group]. / Tollerabilità ed efficacia della nitroglicerina transdermica nell'angina pectoris. Studio multicentrico. Gruppo Italiano Studio Adesitrin.

A multicenter open study was carried out in order to evaluate the tolerability and antianginal efficacy of the nitroglycerin "multilayer transdermal system". Forty eight cardiologic centers enrolled 506 outpatients (123 females and 383 males), mean age: 61 +/- 8 (SD) years, with effort angina (43%), angina at rest (17%) and mixed angina (40%), not well controlled by their previous antianginal therapy (greater than or equal to 2 anginal attacks a weeks). The duration of the treatment with 5 or 10 mg/die was 10 weeks with a control every 2 weeks. At the end of the study, the weekly frequency of anginal attacks was reduced by 88%, and 60% of the patients were free from anginal attacks. In 117 patients, studied by ergometer test, the exercise time increased by 31% (p less than 0.001) and the ST depression decreased by 63% (p less than 0.001). The treatment was interrupted in 9.1% of the patients: in 4.55% for unwanted effects (headache and/or local intolerance) and in 4.55% for other reasons. The same unwanted effects, but of mild or moderate severity, were observed in 18.4% of the patients, most of them during the first 2 weeks of the treatment. In conclusion, the "multilayer system" for delivering transdermal nitroglycerin showed a good clinical and ergometer efficacy and was well tolerated and accepted by the anginal patients in study.

Results of a phase IV study carried out with acipimox in type II diabetic patients with concomitant hyperlipoproteinaemia.

The aim of this phase IV study was to assess the tolerability and efficacy of acipimox, a lipid-lowering drug, in 3009 type II diabetic out-patients with types II and IV hyperlipoproteinaemia. The study was carried out by 150 Italian diabetes centres. Acipimox was given at the dosage of one capsule (250 mg), two or three times daily for at least 2 months. Acipimox produced a mean fall of 43% in serum triglycerides and of 18% in total serum cholesterol levels compared with baseline. The lipid-lowering effect was present throughout treatment, but was most pronounced at the end of treatment. An increase in the serum concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (15%) was also observed at the end of the trial. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels showed a slight reduction during the study. Adverse events were reported in 263 (8.8%) cases and 165 (5.4%) patients discontinued the treatment. The female trial population showed a nearly two-fold greater incidence of adverse events than the males. In the majority of cases the adverse events experienced by patients were transient episodes of flushing and mild gastro-intestinal disturbances (e.g. gastric pain and pyrexia).