Differential effects on renal function and glucose metabolism of renal dependent bezafibrate and non-renal dependent pemafibrate in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

OBJECTIVE: Among fibrates as triglyceride-lowering agents, bezafibrate and fenofibrate are predominantly renally excreted, while pemafibrate is mainly hepatically metabolized and biliary excreted. To elucidate possible different properties among fibrates, this retrospective observational study examined the changes in clinical laboratory parameters, including indices of renal function and glucose metabolism, in cases of switching from bezafibrate to pemafibrate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 93 patients with hypertriglyceridemia, the average values of laboratory parameters including serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1c on respective two occasions before and after switching from bezafibrate to pemafibrate were evaluated. RESULTS: Triglycerides, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatine kinase, and uric acid did not change before and after switching from bezafibrate to pemafibrate. Serum creatinine significantly decreased and eGFR significantly increased after switching from bezafibrate to pemafibrate (p < 0.001, respectively). Plasma glucose tended to increase (p = 0.070) and hemoglobin A1c significantly increased (p < 0.001) after switching to pemafibrate. The degrees of changes in creatinine, eGFR, glucose, and hemoglobin A1c before and after drug switching were not affected by the presence or absence of coexisting disease, and with or without drug treatment including statin and renin-angiotensin system inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that switching from bezafibrate to pemafibrate produces a significant decrease in serum creatinine and increases in eGFR and hemoglobin A1c in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, suggesting that the effects on renal function and glucose metabolism differ among fibrates.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, ER stress and mitochondria-ER crosstalk alterations in a chemical rat model of Huntington's disease: Potential benefits of bezafibrate.

Redox homeostasis, mitochondrial functions, and mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) communication were evaluated in the striatum of rats after 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) administration, a recognized chemical model of Huntington's disease (HD). 3-NP impaired redox homeostasis by increasing malondialdehyde levels at 28 days, decreasing glutathione (GSH) concentrations at 21 and 28 days, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase at 7, 21, and 28 days, catalase at 21 days, and glutathione reductase at 21 and 28 days. Impairment of mitochondrial respiration at 7 and 28 days after 3-NP administration was also observed, as well as reduced activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and respiratory chain complexes. 3-NP also impaired mitochondrial dynamics and the interactions between ER and mitochondria and induced ER-stress by increasing the levels of mitofusin-1, and of DRP1, VDAC1, Grp75 and Grp78. Synaptophysin levels were augmented at 7 days but reduced at 28 days after 3-NP injection. Finally, bezafibrate prevented 3-NP-induced alterations of the activities of SOD, GPx, SDH and respiratory chain complexes, DCFH oxidation and on the levels of GSH, VDAC1 and synaptophysin. Mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic disruption may contribute to the pathophysiology of HD and bezafibrate may be considered as an adjuvant therapy for this disorder.

Efficacy and Safety of Bezafibrate Alone or in Combination with Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Primary Biliary Cholangitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bezafibrate (BZF) alone or in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been used to slow disease progression in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and harms of BZF monotherapy or combination therapy. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP from inception until January 2020, for randomized controlled clinical trials assessing BZF + UDCA versus UDCA monotherapy or BZF monotherapy versus UDCA monotherapy in PBC patients. Additionally, we systematically evaluated data on harms using seven observational studies. Pooled effect estimates were calculated for the outcomes of interest. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). RESULTS: We identified 7 randomized controlled trials with a total of 279 participants. Comparing BZF + UDCA to UDCA alone, a clinically significant improvement was observed in serum ALP with a mean difference (MD) of - 159.04 U/L (95% CI - 186.45 to - 131.62) and a reduction in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (MD - 106.94 IU/L; 95% CI - 151.99 to - 61.89), but not in total bilirubin (TB) or IgM levels. A statistically significant reduction in ALP levels was also noticed with BZF monotherapy compared to UDCA monotherapy. The effect of BZF + UDCA versus UDCA on mortality remains unclear. Across 5 observational studies including 106 patients, one death was reported due to advanced liver disease in an incomplete responder getting treatment with BZF + UDCA. Analysis of observational studies demonstrated improvement in pruritus intensity with BZF. CONCLUSIONS: Use of BZF alone or in combination with UDCA improved liver biochemistries in patients with PBC, but its effect on mortality, liver-related complications or quality of life remains unknown.

Combination treatment with statins and bezafibrate induces myotoxicity via inhibition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate biosynthesis and Rho activation in L6 myoblasts and myotube cells.

Statins and fibrates are frequently used to treat hyperlipidemia; however, these drugs may have adverse effects such as rhabdomyolysis. The incidence of rhabdomyolysis due to fibrates and statins is low (0.0028-0.0096%) when administered as monotherapy, however it increases to 0.015-0.021% when the drugs are used in combination. The mechanism underlying myotoxicity induced by the combination of statins and fibrates is yet unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying induced myotoxicity in rat myoblasts L6 and differentiated L6 cells (myotubes) using a combination of statins and fibrates. We found that cell death induced by a combination of fluvastatin or simvastatin with bezafibrate or fenofibrate in L6 myoblasts and myotubes was mediated by inhibition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) production. Additionally, the drug combination inhibited Rho activation in L6 myoblasts and myotube cells. In L6 myoblasts, the combination of statins and bezafibrate enhanced p27 expression and induced G1 arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, combined treatment suppressed Akt activation and enhanced Bim expression in L6 myotubes but did not affect extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 activation. These results suggested that combined administration of statins and fibrates induced death of L6 myoblasts and myotube cells by inhibiting GGPP biosynthesis and Rho pathway activation. Supplementation with GGPP may be therapeutically beneficial for preventing myotoxicity associated with combined statin and fibrates treatment.

Safety of fibrates in cholestatic liver diseases.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Off-label use of fibrates in patients with cholestatic liver diseases results in improved biochemical parameters and pruritus; however, their safety in this population has been a concern. This study summarizes safety data for fibrates when used for treatment of cholestatic liver diseases. METHODS: A systematic review of published studies evaluating the use of fibrates for treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) was performed. Electronic databases were searched up to December 2019 for published studies evaluating treatment outcomes associated to fibrates for these 2 diseases. RESULTS: A total of 37 studies were identified, including 31 for PBC and 6 for PSC, with a total of 1107 unique patients treated with fibrates ± ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Most studies evaluated fenofibrate and bezafibrate, and only 1 study evaluated pemafibrate. There were no studies evaluating gemfibrozil or clofibrate. The most commonly reported adverse events (AEs) were gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal. Elevations of aminotransferases and serum creatinine were reported more commonly in patients treated with UDCA plus fibrates versus UDCA monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrates appear to be safe and well tolerated in patients with PBC, with a low frequency of AEs. There are scarce data about the safety of these agents for treatment of PSC.

Fibrates for Itch (FITCH) in Fibrosing Cholangiopathies: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pruritus may seriously impair quality of life in patients with cholestatic diseases such as primary or secondary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC, SSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Pharmacologic strategies show limited efficacy and can provoke serious side effects. We hypothesized that bezafibrate, a broad peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist, relieves cholestasis-associated itch by alleviating hepatobiliary injury. The aim of this investigator-initiated FITCH trial (Fibrates for cholestatic ITCH) was to assess effects of bezafibrate on pruritus in patients with PSC, PBC, and SSC. METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe pruritus (≥5 of 10 on visual analog scale [VAS]) due to PSC, PBC, or SSC were recruited for this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial between 2016 and 2019. Patients received once-daily bezafibrate (400 mg) or placebo for 21 days. The primary end point was ≥50% reduction of pruritus (VAS; intention-to-treat). RESULTS: Of 74 randomized patients, 70 completed the trial (95%; 44 PSC, 24 PBC, 2 SSC). For the primary end point, bezafibrate led in 45% (41% PSC, 55% PBC) and placebo in 11% to ≥50% reduction of severe or moderate pruritus (P = .003). For secondary end points, bezafibrate reduced morning (P = .01 vs placebo) and evening (P = .007) intensity of pruritus (VAS) and improved the validated 5D-Itch questionnaire (P = .002 vs placebo). Bezafibrate also reduced serum alkaline phosphatase (-35%, P = .03 vs placebo) correlating with improved pruritus (VAS, P = .01) suggesting reduced biliary damage. Serum bile acids and autotaxin activity remained unchanged. Serum creatinine levels tended to mildly increase (3% bezafibrate, 5% placebo, P = .14). CONCLUSIONS: Bezafibrate is superior to placebo in improving moderate to severe pruritus in patients with PSC and PBC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register, ID: NTR5436 (August 3, 2015), ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02701166 (March 2, 2016).

A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Bezafibrate in Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary biliary cholangitis who have an inadequate response to therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid are at high risk for disease progression. Fibrates, which are agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid, have shown potential benefit in patients with this condition. METHODS: In this 24-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 100 patients who had had an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid according to the Paris 2 criteria to receive bezafibrate at a daily dose of 400 mg (50 patients), or placebo (50 patients), in addition to continued treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid. The primary outcome was a complete biochemical response, which was defined as normal levels of total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, and albumin, as well as a normal prothrombin index (a derived measure of prothrombin time), at 24 months. RESULTS: The primary outcome occurred in 31% of the patients assigned to bezafibrate and in 0% assigned to placebo (difference, 31 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 10 to 50; P<0.001). Normal levels of alkaline phosphatase were observed in 67% of the patients in the bezafibrate group and in 2% in the placebo group. Results regarding changes in pruritus, fatigue, and noninvasive measures of liver fibrosis, including liver stiffness and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis score, were consistent with the results of the primary outcome. Two patients in each group had complications from end-stage liver disease. The creatinine level increased 5% from baseline in the bezafibrate group and decreased 3% in the placebo group. Myalgia occurred in 20% of the patients in the bezafibrate group and in 10% in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with primary biliary cholangitis who had had an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid alone, treatment with bezafibrate in addition to ursodeoxycholic acid resulted in a rate of complete biochemical response that was significantly higher than the rate with placebo and ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. (Funded by Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique and Arrow Génériques; BEZURSO ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01654731 .).

Lipid-lowering agent-triggered dermatomyositis and polymyositis: a case series and literature review.

Lipid-lowering agent-triggered dermatomyositis (DM) or polymyositis (PM) is a rare event. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe a series of such cases. A retrospective cohort study of 5 DM and 4 PM cases triggered by prior exposure to lipid-lowering agents between 2001 and 2017 was carried out. All patients, except for two cases, had muscle biopsy compatible with inflammatory myopathy and no serum autoantibodies positive for anti-SRP or anti-HMGCoAR. Median age of the patients at time of diagnosis was 68 years. Seven patients had previously taken simvastatin 20 mg/day (exposure period from 2 days to 4 years) and two bezafibrate 100 mg/day (3-4 months). Median time from symptom onset to disease diagnosis was 6 months. All patients with DM had a heliotrope and/or Gottron's papules. All patients had symmetrical, predominantly proximal muscle weakness of limbs, with median serum creatine phosphokinase of 3087U/L (interquartile 25-75% range 1293-13,937 U/L). All patients received glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants. Complete reversal of clinical symptoms and normalization of serum creatine phosphokinase level occurred within a median of 12 months after starting the treatment. There was disease relapse in three cases, and one case of death was unrelated to the disease (pulmonary infectious complications resulting from lymphoma). In contrast to cases described in the literature, the patients in the present study had a relatively more aggressive course, requiring glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, in addition to a tendency for a longer period to achieve disease remission.

[Modern treatment of primary biliary cholangitis]. / Moderne Therapie der primär biliären Cholangitis.

For nearly 30 years ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) represented the only pharmacological treatment option available for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). This changed at the end of 2016 when obeticholic acid was licensed in Europe for PBC patients not responding to UDCA. Novel treatment concepts involving the modulation of nuclear receptor signaling in cholestatic and other liver diseases have led to a host of new potential options, studies and drug candidates for the treatment of PBC. The analysis of large multinational cohorts has additionally confirmed the effectiveness of UDCA in slowing PBC progression, and has led to the development of new definitions for the risk assessment of PBC patients under therapy, which will be an asset for clinical decision making. One issue that remains unresolved is the therapeutic management of extrahepatic symptoms associated with PBC, namely fatigue and pruritus, which are the main factors influencing the quality of life of affected individuals. Their pathophysiological basis is poorly understood and treatment remains unsatisfactory.

Effect of adding bezafibrate to standard lipid-lowering therapy on post-fat load lipid levels in patients with familial dysbetalipoproteinemia. A randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (FD) is a genetic disorder associated with impaired postprandial lipid clearance. The effect of adding bezafibrate to standard lipid-lowering therapy on postprandial and fasting lipid levels in patients with FD is unknown. In this randomized placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial, 15 patients with FD received bezafibrate and placebo for 6 weeks in randomized order in addition to standard lipid-lowering therapy (statin, ezetimibe, and/or lifestyle). We assessed post-fat load lipids, expressed as incremental area under the curve (iAUC) and area under the curve (AUC), as well as fasting levels and safety, and found that adding bezafibrate did not reduce post-fat load non-HDL-cholesterol (non-HDL-C) iAUC (1.78 ± 4.49 mmol·h/l vs. 1.03 ± 2.13 mmol·h/l, P = 0.57), but did reduce post-fat load triglyceride (TG) iAUC (8.05 ± 3.32 mmol·h/l vs. 10.61 ± 5.92 mmol·h/l, P = 0.03) and apoB (0.64 ± 0.62 g·h/l vs. 0.93 ± 0.71 g·h/l, P = 0.01). Furthermore, bezafibrate significantly improved AUC and fasting levels of non-HDL-C, TG, total cholesterol, HDL-C, and apoB. Bezafibrate was associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (78.4 ± 11.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 vs. 86.1 ± 5.85 ml/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.002). In conclusion, in patients with FD, the addition of bezafibrate to standard lipid-lowering therapy resulted in improved post-fat load and fasting plasma lipids. Combination therapy of statin/fibrate could be considered as standard lipid-lowering treatment in FD.

Fibrates for the treatment of cholestatic itch (FITCH): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus (itch) is a frequent, burdensome and difficult-to-treat symptom in patients with cholestasis. Fibrates are currently under investigation for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis in patients with a suboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid. Moreover, there is empirical evidence for a possible antipruritic effect. We aim to prove this in a randomized controlled trial, including patients with cholestatic liver diseases other than primary biliary cholangitis that are accompanied by pruritus. METHODS: A multicenter investigator-initiated, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of bezafibrate on cholestatic pruritus in 84 adult patients with primary biliary cholangitis or primary/secondary sclerosing cholangitis. Primary outcome is the proportion of patients with a reduction of itch intensity of 50% or more (measured on a Visual Analog Scale) after 21 days of treatment with bezafibrate 400 mg qid or placebo. Secondary outcomes include the effect of bezafibrate on a five-dimensional itch score, liver disease-specific quality of life, serum liver tests and autotaxin activity. Safety will be evaluated through serum parameters for kidney function and rhabdomyolysis as well as precise recording of (serious) adverse events. We provide a schematic overview of the study protocol and describe the methods used to recruit and randomize patients, collect and handle data and perform statistical analyses. DISCUSSION: Given its favorable safety profile and anticholestatic properties, bezafibrate may become the new first-line treatment option for treating cholestatic pruritus. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register, ID: NCT02701166 . Registered on 2 March 2016; Netherlands Trial Register, ID: NTR5436 . Registered on 3 August 2015.

Elevated Triglyceride Level Is Independently Associated With Increased All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Established Coronary Heart Disease: Twenty-Two-Year Follow-Up of the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention Study and Registry.

BACKGROUND: The independent association between elevated triglycerides and all-cause mortality among patients with established coronary heart disease is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate this association in a large cohort of patients with proven coronary heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 15 355 patients who were screened for the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention (BIP) trial. Twenty-two-year mortality data were obtained from the national registry. Patients were divided into 5 groups according to strata of fasting serum triglycerides: (1) low-normal triglycerides (<100 mg/dL); (2) high-normal triglycerides (100-149 mg/dL); (3) borderline hypertriglyceridemia triglycerides (150-199 mg/dL); (4) moderate hypertriglyceridemia triglycerides (200-499 mg/dL); (5) severe hypertriglyceridemia triglycerides (≥500 mg/dL). Age- and sex-adjusted survival was 41% in the low-normal triglycerides group than 37%, 36%, 35%, and 25% in groups with progressively higher triglycerides (P<0.001). In an adjusted Cox-regression for various covariates including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, each 1 unit of natural logarithm (Ln) triglycerides elevation was associated with a corresponding 6% (P=0.016) increased risk of 22-year all-cause mortality. The 22-year mortality risk for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia was increased by 68% when compared with patients with low-normal triglycerides (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with established coronary heart disease, higher triglycerides levels are independently associated with increased 22-year mortality. Even in patients with triglycerides of 100 to 149 mg/dL, the elevated risk for death could be detected than in patients with lower triglycerides levels, whereas severe hypertriglyceridemia denotes a population with particularly increased mortality risk.

Bezafibrate for the treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with coronary artery disease: 20-year mortality follow-up of the BIP randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent data support the renewed interest in hypertriglyceridemia as a possible important therapeutic target for cardiovascular risk reduction. This study was designed to address the question of all-cause mortality during extended follow-up of the BIP trial in patients stratified by baseline triglyceride levels. METHODS: In the BIP trial 3090 patients with proven coronary artery disease were randomized to bezafibrate 400 mg/day or placebo. All-cause mortality data after 20 years of follow-up, were obtained from the National Israeli Population Registry. Patients with hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides ≥200 mg/dL, n = 458) were equally distributed among the study groups (15 % in both placebo and bezafibrate groups). RESULTS: During follow-up 1869 patients died (952 in placebo vs. 917 in bezafibrate group). Following multivariate adjustment allocation to bezafibrate was associated with small but significant 10 % mortality risk reduction (HR 0.90; 95 % CI 0.82-0.98, p = 0.026). Variables associated with significantly increased mortality risk were history of a past MI, NYHA class, diabetes, age, higher BMI and glucose level. In patients with hypertriglyceridemia multivariate analysis demonstrated a 25 % all-cause mortality risk reduction associated with allocation to bezafibrate (HR 0.75, CI 95 % 0.60-0.94; p = 0.012). In patients without hypertriglyceridemia bezafibrate had no significant effect on long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: During long-term follow-up bezafibrate-allocated patients experienced a modest but significant 10 % reduction in the adjusted risk of mortality. This effect of bezafibrate was more prominent among patients with baseline hypertriglyceridemia (25 % mortality risk reduction).

Systematic review and meta-analysis: bezafibrate in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the standard treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), but not all cases respond well. Evidence has shown that combination therapy of UDCA with bezafibrate significantly improved liver function. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of UDCA and bezafibrate combination therapy in the treatment of PBC. RESULTS: Nine trials, with a total of 269 patients, were included in the analysis. The bias risk of these trials was high. Compared with UDCA alone, the combination with bezafibrate improved the Mayo risk score (mean difference [MD], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-0.95; P=0.0008) and liver biochemistry: alkaline phosphatase (MD, -238.21 IU/L; 95% CI, -280.83 to -195.60; P<0.00001); gamma-glutamyltransferase (MD, -38.23 IU/L; 95% CI, -50.16 to -25.85; P<0.00001); immunoglobulin M (MD, -128.63 IU/L; 95% CI, -151.55 to -105.71; P<0.00001); bilirubin (MD, -0.20 mg/dL; 95% CI, -0.33 to -0.07; P=0.002); triglycerides (MD, -26.84 mg/dL; 95% CI, -36.51 to -17.17; P<0.0001); total cholesterol (MD, -21.58 mg/dL; 95% CI, -30.81 to -12.34; P<0.0001), and serum alanine aminotransferase (MD, -10.24 IU/L; 95% CI, -12.65 to -78.5; P<0.00001). However, combination therapy showed no significant differences in the incidence of all-cause mortality or pruritus, and may have resulted in more adverse events (risk ratio [RR], 0.22; 95% CI, 0.07-0.67; P=0.008). CONCLUSION: Combination therapy improved liver biochemistry and the prognosis of PBC, but did not improve clinical symptoms or incidence of death. Attention should be paid to adverse events when using bezafibrate.

A prospective randomized controlled study of long-term combination therapy using ursodeoxycholic acid and bezafibrate in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and dyslipidemia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term prognosis, efficacy, and safety of combination therapy using ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and bezafibrate (BF) for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients exhibiting dyslipidemia. METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study to compare the long-term clinical results between combination therapy and UDCA monotherapy for patients refractory to UDCA monotherapy. Twenty-seven consecutive PBC patients were enrolled. RESULTS: The median treatment period in the UDCA and UDCA+BF groups was 107 and 110 months, respectively. The serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and the Mayo risk score in the combination therapy group (mean 290 IU/l and 0.91, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the UDCA monotherapy group (mean 461 IU/l and 1.42, respectively) at 8 years after the beginning of the study (P<0.05). The serum creatinine levels in the combination therapy group (mean 0.94 mg/dl) were significantly higher than those in the UDCA monotherapy group (mean 0.56 mg/dl) at 8 years after the beginning of the study (P<0.05). However, the survival rate was not significantly different between the groups. We observed dose reduction or discontinuation of the administration of BF, but not UDCA, due to renal dysfunction or muscle pain. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term combination therapy significantly improved the serum ALP levels and the Mayo risk score. However, the survival rate was not significantly different between the groups. In addition, long-term combination therapy significantly increased the serum creatinine levels. We should pay close attention to adverse events during this long-term combination therapy.

Extreme urinary betaine losses in type 2 diabetes combined with bezafibrate treatment are associated with losses of dimethylglycine and choline but not with increased losses of other osmolytes.

PURPOSE: Betaine deficiency is a probable cardiovascular risk factor and a cause of elevated homocysteine. Urinary betaine excretion is increased by fibrate treatment, and is also often elevated in diabetes. Does fibrate further increase betaine excretion in diabetes, and does it affect the plasma concentrations and excretions of related metabolites and of other osmolytes? METHODS: Samples from a previous study of type 2 diabetes were selected if participants were taking bezafibrate (n = 32). These samples were compared with participants matched for age and gender and not on a fibrate (comparator group, n = 64). Betaine, related metabolites, and osmolytes were measured in plasma and urine samples from these 96 participants. RESULTS: Median urinary betaine excretion in those on bezafibrate was 5-fold higher than in the comparator group (p < 0.001), itself 3.5-fold higher than the median reported for healthy populations. In the bezafibrate group, median dimethylglycine excretion was higher (9-fold, p < 0.001). Excretions of choline, and of the osmolytes myo-inositol, taurine and glycerophosphorylcholine, were not significantly different between groups. Some participants excreted more betaine than usual dietary intakes. Several betaine fractional clearances were >100 %. Betaine excretion correlated with excretions of the osmolytes myo-inositol and glycerophosphorylcholine, and also with the excretion of choline and N,N-dimethylglycine, but it was inconclusive whether these relationships were affected by bezafibrate therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Increased urinary betaine excretions in type 2 diabetes are further increased by fibrate treatment, sometimes to more than their dietary intake. Concurrent betaine supplementation may be beneficial.

Safety and efficacy of long-term combination therapy with bezafibrate and ezetimibe in patients with dyslipidemia in the prospective, observational J-COMPATIBLE study.

BACKGROUND: There are numerous reports describing the efficacy of fenofibrate in combination with ezetimibe for treating dyslipidemia. In contrast, a study combining bezafibrate and ezetimibe has not yet been conducted. In this study, we examined the safety, including the risk of gallstone formation, and the efficacy of long-term combination therapy with bezafibrate and ezetimibe for treating dyslipidemia. METHODS: Dyslipidemic patients treated with 400 mg/day bezafibrate in combination with 10 mg/day ezetimibe for the first time were eligible. We selected 157 institutions in Japan and conducted a 12-month prospective observational study, with patients enrolled on the day they started combination therapy. Safety of the combination was examined in terms of the type, onset, and severity of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Efficacy was evaluated in terms of the changes in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels from the start of combination therapy (baseline) to the last observation carried forward (LOCF). Lipid levels were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after starting combination therapy. RESULTS: We enrolled 665 patients in this observational study. Safety was evaluated in 659, and ADRs occurred in 42 patients (6.4%). The most frequent ADRs were blood creatine phosphokinase increase (1.5%) and myalgia (0.8%). Asymptomatic gallstones were observed in four patients (0.6%). Effectiveness was evaluated in 622 patients. LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, and non-HDL-C levels improved significantly from baseline to LOCF by -17.4%, 8.8%, -40.5%, and -21.6%, respectively (all, p < 0.001). Lipid levels also improved from baseline to each evaluation time-point. CONCLUSIONS: Bezafibrate in combination with ezetimibe is safe and effective, and is potentially useful for comprehensive management of dyslipidemia.