Effects of food and ethnicity on the pharmacokinetics of venadaparib, a next-generation PARP inhibitor, in healthy Korean, Caucasian, and Chinese male subjects.

AIM: Venadaparib is a next-generation poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor under development for treating gastric cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of food and ethnicity on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety of venadaparib after a single oral administration in healthy Korean, Caucasian, and Chinese male subjects. METHODS: In this randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-sequence, two-period, and crossover study, Korean and Caucasian subjects received venadaparib 80 mg in each period (fasted or fed state) with a seven-day washout. In an open-label, single-dose study, Chinese subjects received venadaparib 80 mg only in the fasted state. Serial blood samples were collected up to 72 h post-dosing. RESULTS: Twelve subjects from each ethnic group completed the study. The geometric mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) of the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measurable time point (AUClast) of venadaparib for the fed to fasted state were 0.82 (0.7457-0.9094) and 1.02 (0.9088-1.1339) in Koreans, and 0.77 (0.6871-0.8609) and 0.96 (0.9017-1.0186) in Caucasians, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in Cmax (P-value = 0.45) or AUClast (P-value = 0.30) among the three ethnic groups. A single venadaparib dose was well-tolerated. CONCLUSION: The overall systemic exposure of venadaparib was not affected by the high-fat meal, despite delayed absorption with a decreased Cmax in the fed state. The PK profiles were comparable among the Korean, Caucasian, and Chinese subjects. A single venadaparib 80 mg dose was safe and well-tolerated in both fasted and fed states.

Coadministration of Voriconazole and Rifabutin Can Increase the Risk of Adverse Drug Reactions in Patients with Multiple Infections.

BACKGROUND: Coinfection of tuberculosis or nontuberculous mycobacteria and Aspergillus presents a challenge in medication selection because of the pharmacokinetic interactions between rifampin and voriconazole. Some researchers have suggested the use of rifabutin as an alternative to rifampin because of its lower hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme induction potency despite its contraindication to drug labels. This study presents clinical cases of voriconazole and rifabutin coadministration and their potential risks. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted using clinical data from patients who met the following criteria: (1) admitted to Seoul National University Hospital between July 2014 and August 2023 and (2) concurrently administered rifabutin and voriconazole for more than 5 days. RESULTS: Among the 6 patients analyzed, 4 experienced adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Three patients experienced visual and auditory hallucinations, lower extremity numbness, or delirious behavior. Two patients had prolonged the time from the start of the Q wave to the end of the T wave intervals, and 1 had elevated aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. In addition, 2 patients experienced severe nausea, poor oral intake, and weight loss. Despite receiving 1.81-fold the recommended voriconazole dosage, a therapeutic concentration (1.0-5.5 mg/L) was not achieved because of cytochrome P450 induction by rifabutin. However, during septic shock, the voriconazole concentration increased by 13.7- to 36-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent use of rifabutin and voriconazole was associated with ADRs, including the time from the start of the Q wave to the end of the T wave prolongation, hallucinations, and severe nausea. Moreover, initially, there was a significant decrease in voriconazole concentrations; however, these concentrations substantially increased during septic shock. Therefore, it is essential to monitor drug concentrations and ADRs during concurrent use of voriconazole and rifabutin.

Effect of haemodialysis on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of evogliptin.

AIM: To investigate the possible effect of haemodialysis (HD) on the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of evogliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. METHODS: A single-dose, open-label, parallel-group study of eight end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and eight matched healthy subjects was conducted. ESRD patients received a single oral dose of evogliptin 5 mg after and before HD with a 2-week washout between each dose, and healthy subjects received a single oral dose of evogliptin 5 mg. Serial blood, dialysate, and urine samples were collected to assess the PK and PD profiles of evogliptin. To compare PK parameters before and after HD, geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The GMRs for the maximum concentration and area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last measurable timepoint (AUClast ) of evogliptin when administered before HD compared with after HD were 0.7293 (90% CI 0.6171-0.8620) and 0.9480 (90% CI 0.8162-1.1010), respectively. The maximum DPP-4 inhibitory effect, area under the DPP-4 inhibitory effect-time curve, and time duration of more than 80% DPP-4 inhibition were comparable when evogliptin was administered before and after HD. Compared with healthy subjects, the mean AUClast of evogliptin was approximately 1.4-fold greater in ESRD patients, but the difference is unlikely to affect the safety and efficacy of evogliptin. CONCLUSION: The effect of HD on the PK and PD characteristics of evogliptin was not clinically significant; therefore, dose adjustment according to HD status is not necessary.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic exploration of various combinations of tegoprazan immediate and delayed-release formulations.

AIMS: The new modified-release formulation of tegoprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, is expected to improve the management of acid-related disease, including nocturnal acid breakthrough, by prolonging the duration of acid suppression. This study aimed to explore the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of various combinations of tegoprazan with immediate-release (IR) and delayed-release (DR) formulations. METHODS: A three-cohort, open-label, randomized, single-dose, three-treatment, six-sequence, three-period crossover study was conducted. Various combinations of tegoprazan IR and DR formulations (50, 75 or 100 mg) were administered orally once per period. The 24-h intragastric pH was monitored before and after each administration. PK blood samples were collected for up to 48 h. PK and PD were compared among treatments. RESULTS: Eighteen healthy Korean subjects completed the study. All treatment groups showed intragastric pH above 4 approximately 1 h following tegoprazan administration. Among the various combinations, the IR and DR combination at a 1:1 ratio induced greater gastric acid suppression (%Time pH ≥ 4) than IR alone in each dose group, both for 24 h (50 mg; 59% vs. 52%, P = .2188, 95% confidence interval [CI] -6.92-22.27, 100 mg; 85% vs. 70%, P < .05, 95% CI 8.92-22.19) and at night (50 mg; 27% vs. 16%, P = .1563, 95% CI -11.79-37.71, 100 mg; 77% vs. 49%, P < .05, 95% CI 16.14-42.98), with similar systemic exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The combinatorial tegoprazan in the IR and DR 1:1 ratio formulation was found to induce stronger gastric acid suppression throughout the day and at night, compared to the conventional IR formulation.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction of DWP16001, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, with gemigliptin and metformin in healthy adults.

AIMS: DWP16001, a novel sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, is under clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to explore the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics interaction of DWP16001 with gemigliptin and metformin. METHODS: A randomized, open-label, 2-sequence, 2-period crossover study was conducted in 34 healthy male subjects. All subjects received a single oral dose of DWP16001 2 mg with and without gemigliptin and metformin (8 days of 50 mg once-daily dose and 1000 mg twice daily dose for gemigliptin and metformin, respectively). Serial blood samples were collected for PK and serum glucose analysis, and timed urine samples were collected to analyse urine glucose excretion (UGE). The PK and pharmacodynamic parameters were analysed by the noncompartmental method. RESULTS: The PK interactions of DWP16001, gemigliptin and metformin were not clinically significant. The geometric mean ratios (with 90% confidence intervals) of coadministration to separate administration for area under the time-concentration curves were 1.04 (1.02-1.06), 1.03 (0.98-1.09) and 1.17 (1.12-1.22), for gemigliptin, metformin and DWP16001 respectively. The UGE induced by DWP16001 was not affected by the coadministration of gemigliptin and metformin. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the DWP16001 could be added to metformin and gemigliptin combination therapy without dose adjustment.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between DWP16001, an sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor and metformin in healthy subjects.

AIMS: DWP16001 is a novel sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes with selective and sustained sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition. We aimed to evaluate whether the coadministration of DWP16001 and metformin causes any changes in pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics (PD). METHODS: A randomized, open-label, single- and multiple-dose, 2-sequence, crossover study was conducted in healthy male subjects. Subjects received the following treatments: a single oral dose of DWP16001 (DWP) 2 mg, metformin immediate release 1000 mg (MET) twice daily for 7 days and a single oral dose of DWP and MET at steady-state for metformin (DWP+MET). Serial blood and interval urine were collected for PK and PD analyses. Safety and tolerability profiles were assessed throughout the study. RESULTS: DWP+MET displayed increased peak concentration and area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to time of the last quantifiable concentration compared with DWP (per standard bioequivalence boundaries, 0.8-1.25); the geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and their 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.22 (1.13-1.31) and 1.09 (1.05-1.14), respectively. DWP+MET and MET showed similar peak concentration and area under the concentration-time curve within a dosing interval at steady state for metformin; the GMRs and 90% CIs were 0.98 (0.90-1.06) and 1.05 (0.98-1.13), respectively. The amount of urinary glucose excretion from time 0 to 144 h was also comparable between DWP+MET and DWP (GMR and 90% CI; 0.99, 0.94-1.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that DWP16001 and metformin could be coadministered without clinically relevant PK and PD interactions.

A Phase 1 Study To Evaluate Safety and Pharmacokinetics following Administration of Single and Multiple Doses of the Antistaphylococcal Lysin LSVT-1701 in Healthy Adult Subjects.

Thirty-two healthy male subjects (8 per cohort) were randomized 6:2 to active:placebo. LSVT-1701, an antistaphylococcal lysin, was administered intravenously as a 6-mg/kg single dose and as 1.5, 3, and 4.5 mg/kg twice daily for 4 days. LSVT-1701 exposure increased in a greater than dose proportional manner and did not accumulate. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were predominantly of mild intensity. The most common TEAEs were chills, pyrexia, headache, infusion site events, cough, rhinorrhea, and increases in C-reactive protein. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT03446053.).

Dose-dependent glucosuria of DWP16001, a novel selective sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, in healthy subjects.

AIMS: DWP16001 is a novel sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of DWP16001 after single and multiple doses in healthy subjects. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, single- and multiple-dose study was conducted. Twelve subjects in each dose group received a single dose (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 5.0 mg) or multiple doses (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg once daily for 15 consecutive days) of DWP16001, dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo at a ratio of 8:2:2. Serial blood and interval urine samples were collected for the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses. The safety and tolerability of DWP16001 were also assessed. RESULTS: A dose-dependent increase in the urinary glucose excretion was observed after a single dose, and the steady state urinary glucose excretion was 50-60 g/d after multiple doses in the dose range of 0.3-2.0 mg. DWP16001 was rapidly absorbed with the time to peak plasma concentration of 1.0-3.0 hours, and it exhibited a mean elimination half-life of 13-29 hours. The systemic exposure to DWP16001 increased proportionally with multiple dose administrations in the range of 0.1-2.0 mg. DWP16001 was well tolerated in all dose groups. CONCLUSION: DWP16001 induced glucosuria in a dose-dependent manner, and systemic exposure was observed after multiple doses. DWP16001 was well tolerated in single oral doses of up to 5.0 mg and in multiple oral doses of up to 2.0 mg.

Night-time gastric acid suppression by tegoprazan compared to vonoprazan or esomeprazole.

AIMS: Nocturnal acid breakthrough has been considered an unmet need of proton-pump inhibitors. Tegoprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, is expected to show improved properties for this unmet need. This study was aimed to compare night-time acid suppression by tegoprazan with that by vonoprazan or esomeprazole, and to explore the effect of CYP2C19 phenotypes on acid-suppressive effects. METHODS: A randomized, open-label, 3-period, 6-sequence crossover study was conducted. A single oral dose of tegoprazan 50 mg, vonoprazan 20 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg was administered at night in each period. Continuous intragastric pH was monitored at baseline and after each dosing. RESULTS: Sixteen healthy subjects (6 CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers, 5 intermediate metabolizers, 5 poor metabolizers) completed the study. After a single dose of tegoprazan, intragastric pH increased more rapidly to over 4 at approximately 1 hour compared to the other treatments, and elevated intragastric pH was maintained stably at night. Tegoprazan exhibited night-time acid suppression for slightly but not significantly longer than vonoprazan, and greater than esomeprazole; % time at pH ≥ 4 at night was 66.0%, 60.5% and 36.1% for tegoprazan, vonoprazan and esomeprazole, respectively. Night-time acid suppression by tegoprazan and vonoprazan was not dependent on CYP2C19 phenotypes, while that by esomeprazole tended to be influenced by CYP2C19 phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Tegoprazan produced more rapid, potent and well sustained night-time acid suppression vs. vonoprazan or esomeprazole when administered at night. Furthermore, tegoprazan showed no CYP2C19 phenotype dependency in acid suppression. It suggests the potential of tegoprazan, especially in preventing nocturnal acid breakthrough.

A pilot study to investigate the utility of NAT2 genotype-guided isoniazid monotherapy regimens in NAT2 slow acetylators.

Isoniazid is a therapeutic agent for the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. Genetic variants in the N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) are associated with the safety and pharmacokinetics of isoniazid. The study aimed to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of a NAT2 genotype-guided regimen of isoniazid monotherapy. A randomized, open-label, parallel-group and multiple-dosing study was performed in healthy subjects. The subjects received isoniazid for 29 days. The NAT2 slow acetylators (NAT2*5/*5, -*5/*6, -*5/*7, -*6/*6, -*6/*7, -*7/*7) randomly received standard dose (300 mg, standard-treatment group) or reduced dose (200 mg, PGx-treatment group) of isoniazid. Also, all the NAT2 rapid acetylators (NAT2*4/*4) received isoniazid 300 mg (reference group). The safety and pharmacokinetics were evaluated during the study. The PGx-treatment group showed a more stable serum liver enzyme profile and a lower incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) than the standard-treatment group. The emergence rates of ADRs were 12.5, 60 and 33.3% in the reference, standard-treatment and PGx-treatment groups, respectively. The PGx-treatment group showed higher plasma isoniazid concentrations than the reference group, although the PGx-treatment group received a reduced dose of isoniazid. Our results showed that a NAT2 genotype-guided regimen may reduce ADRs during isoniazid monotherapy without concern over insufficient drug exposure.

Safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of BI 655064 in phase 1 clinical trials in healthy Chinese and Japanese subjects.

AIMS: To evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of BI 655064 in healthy Chinese and Japanese subjects after administration of single doses of 80-240 mg and multiple dosing of 240 mg once weekly over 4 weeks. METHODS: Two phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were conducted (single-rising doses of BI 655064 in Chinese/Japanese male subjects [n = 12 per BI 655064 dose group] or repeated 240 mg BI 655064 in Chinese male subjects [n = 9]). Plasma samples were collected to investigate BI 655064 pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (CD40 receptor occupancy [RO]) and immunogenicity, along with the safety and tolerability of BI 655064. RESULTS: BI 655064 showed good overall tolerability following single-dose administration of 80-240 mg and repeated administration of 240 mg BI 655064 over 4 weeks. More Chinese subjects reported adverse events compared with Japanese subjects following single-dose administration (59.4% vs 3.1%). BI 655064 exhibited nonlinear, saturable kinetics, with higher doses resulting in slower apparent clearance (0.514-0.713 mL min-1 ), and disproportionately higher total exposure (AUC0-inf ; 5610-7780 µg·h mL-1 ) and maximum plasma concentration (15 700-21 300 ng mL-1 ) with 240 mg BI 655064. Ninety percent inhibition of CD40 RO was achieved with doses ≥120 mg, and a direct relationship between BI 655064 plasma concentration and inhibition of CD40 RO was observed. Most subjects had a positive treatment-emergent antidrug antibody response. CONCLUSIONS: BI 655064 pharmacokinetic and safety profiles in East Asian male subjects were consistent with those observed in a Western population. No adjustments in the BI 655064 dosing recommendations are warranted for future clinical trials.

Tolerability of lacosamide rapid dose titration: A randomized, multicenter, prospective, open-label study.

OBJECTIVE: Currently recommended dosing of lacosamide often necessitates long titration periods. However, the use of a regimen consisting of initial loading dose of 200 mg followed by a maintenance dose of 200 mg/day in practice suggests tolerability of more rapid titration schedules. We aimed to clarify whether the shortened titration schedule affects tolerability of lacosamide. METHODS: We evaluated the safety of two rapid titration protocols designed to reach the target dose of 400 mg/day within 1 week, and the conventional weekly titration protocol (reaching the target dose of 400 mg/day in three weeks). The ≥50% responder rate and steady-state plasma concentration of lacosamide were also analyzed. Adverse events were assessed at 1 week and 5 weeks after reaching the target dose. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients with epilepsy were enrolled and evenly distributed to three titration protocols, from which 5 patients were lost to follow-up and excluded from the safety analysis. Discontinuation of lacosamide or dose reductions due to adverse events occurred in 32 patients (46%), of whom a large majority (74%) had experienced adverse events after reaching 400 mg/day, demonstrating apparent dose-dependency. There was no difference in safety outcomes among the three titration groups. Concomitant use of sodium channel blockers significantly increased the risk of adverse events. CONCLUSION: Rapid titration protocols for lacosamide were not associated with an increased risk of adverse events compared to the conventional weekly titration protocol. Uptitration of lacosamide at shorter intervals to an effective target dosage may be feasible in appropriate clinical situations.

Effects of perampanel on cognition and quantitative electroencephalography in patients with epilepsy.

Antiepileptic drugs are well known for their effects on cognition and electrophysiologic changes. However, perampanel is yet to be evaluated for its effects on cognitive function and electroencephalography (EEG). The purpose of the present study was to identify the effect of perampanel on neuropsychological (NP) tests and quantitative EEG (QEEG) and their relationship with the level of the drug in blood. Seventeen patients with epilepsy were enrolled in the study. Electroencephalographic recordings were obtained, and NP tests were conducted before perampanel intake and 6 months after treatment. The relative frequency band power, peak alpha frequency, and NP test scores were compared before and after drug administration. The serum concentration of perampanel was correlated with the QEEG changes. Delayed recall of the Rey Complex Figure showed significant improvement (20.03 vs. 22.94; P = 0.004) following perampanel administration. Other cognitive function tests showed no significant differences before and after drug administration. Theta frequency band power increased in all brain regions (P = 0.001-0.01), and alpha frequency power decreased in all brain regions (P = 0.006-0.03). The theta/alpha ratio, which represents background EEG slowing, increased in all brain areas (P = 0.003-0.02). The peak frequency of the alpha rhythm decreased after perampanel intake (t = 2.45, P = 0.03). Difference of relative alpha power in the central region positively correlated with the blood level of perampanel (r = 0.53, P = 0.03). Perampanel induced electrophysiological slowing, but cognitive decline was not observed. Because the controls were not compared in the study, the results of cognitive function tests should be interpreted conservatively. Background EEG slowing correlated with the serum concentration of perampanel. Our results show the effect of perampanel on cognitive function and background EEG in adult patients with epilepsy.

Oral absorption of voriconazole is affected by SLCO2B1 c.*396T>C genetic polymorphism in CYP2C19 poor metabolizers.

High pharmacokinetic variability of voriconazole is mainly explained by CYP2C19 phenotype, but there are still unknown factors affecting the variability. In this study, the effect of solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2B1 (SLCO2B1) genotype on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of voriconazole was evaluated in 12 healthy CYP2C19 poor metabolizers after a single administration of voriconazole 200 mg intravenously and orally. In addition, the influence of CYP3A4 enzyme activity was also explored. The oral absorption of voriconazole was decreased and delayed in the subjects with the SLCO2B1 c.*396T>C variant compared to the subjects with wild type. However, the CYP3A activity markers measured in this study did not show significant association with metabolism of voriconazole. The results suggest that the SLCO2B1 c.*396T>C may be associated with the decreased function of intestinal OATP2B1, and it could contribute to interindividual PK variability of voriconazole.

Usefulness of saliva for perampanel therapeutic drug monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) helps optimize drug management for patients with epilepsy. Salivary testing is both noninvasive and easy, and has several other advantages. Due to technical advances, salivary TDM has become feasible for several drugs, including AEDs, and its value has been investigated. Until recently, saliva TDM of perampanel (PER) had not been reported. The purpose of our study was to confirm whether saliva is a biological substitute for plasma in PER TDM. METHODS: Adult patients diagnosed with epilepsy who received PER from August 2018 to March 2019 at Seoul National University Hospital were enrolled. Total and free PER were measured in simultaneously obtained plasma and saliva samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC). We examined the correlations between saliva and plasma PER concentrations and whether the use of concomitant medications classified as cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 inducers affected the correlations. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled, aged 16 to 60; 10 (33%) were women. Patients received 2 to 12 mg (mean, 6 mg) of PER. The average total and free concentrations of PER were 343.02 (46.6-818.0) and 1.53 (0.51-2.92) ng/mL in plasma and 9.74 (2.21-33.0) and 2.83 (1.01-6.8) ng/mL in saliva, respectively. A linear relationship was observed between the total PER concentrations in saliva and the total and free PER concentrations in plasma (both P < .001; r = .678 and r = .619, respectively). The change in the PER concentration caused by the CYP3A4 inducer did not affect the correlation between saliva and plasma concentrations (all P < .001). SIGNIFICANCE: The PER concentration in saliva was correlated with that in plasma. This correlation was not affected by CYP3A4 inducers. Our results demonstrate for the first time that PER is measurable in saliva and suggest the potential for the clinical application of the saliva PER TDM matrix.

ST2 blockade mitigates peritoneal fibrosis induced by TGF-ß and high glucose.

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an intractable complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) that leads to peritoneal membrane failure. This study investigated the role of suppression of tumorigenicity (ST)2 in PF using patient samples along with mouse and cell-based models. Baseline dialysate soluble (s)ST2 level in patients measured 1 month after PD initiation was 2063.4 ± 2457.8 pg/mL; patients who switched to haemodialysis had elevated sST2 levels in peritoneal effluent (1576.2 ± 199.9 pg/mL, P = .03), which was associated with PD failure (P = .04). Baseline sST2 showed good performance in predicting PD failure (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.780, P = .001). In mice with chlorhexidine gluconate-induced PF, ST2 was expressed in fibroblasts and mesothelial cells within submesothelial zones. In primary cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs), transforming growth factor-ß treatment increased ST2, fibronectin, ß-galactosidase and Snail protein levels and decreased E-cadherin level. Anti-ST2 antibody administration reversed the up-regulation of ST2 and fibronectin expression; it also reduced fibrosis induced by high glucose (100 mmol/L) in HPMCs. Thus, high ST2 level in dialysate is a marker for fibrosis and inflammation during peritoneal injury, and blocking ST2 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for renal preservation.

Ursodeoxycholic acid exerts hepatoprotective effects by regulating amino acid, flavonoid, and fatty acid metabolic pathways.

INTRODUCTION: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is an intestinal bacterial metabolite with hepatoprotective effects. However, molecular mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of UDCA by using global metabolomics analyses in healthy subjects. METHODS: Healthy Korean men were administered UDCA at dosage of 400, 800, or 1200 mg daily for 2 weeks. Serum samples were collected and used for liver function tests and to determine miR-122 expression levels. Urinary and plasma global metabolomics analyses were conducted using a liquid chromatography system coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOFMS) and gas chromatography-TOFMS (GC/TOFMS). Unsupervised multivariate analysis (principal component analysis) was performed to identify discriminative markers before and after treatment. RESULTS: Alanine transaminase score and serum miR-122 levels decreased significantly after 2 weeks of treatment. Through LC- and GC-based metabolomic profiling, we identified 40 differential metabolites in plasma and urine samples. CONCLUSIONS: Regulation of liver function scores and metabolic alternations highlight the potential hepatoprotective action of UDCA, which were primarily associated with amino acid, flavonoid, and fatty acid metabolism in healthy men.

Comparison of the Plasma Metabolome Profiles Between the Internal Thoracic Artery and Ascending Aorta in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Using Gas Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) has been used as the first conduit of choice in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of excellent long-term patency and outcomes. However, no studies have examined substances other than nitric oxide that could be beneficial for the bypass conduit, native coronary artery or ischemic myocardium. This study was conducted to evaluate differences in metabolic profiles between the LITA and ascending aorta using gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS). METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent CABG using the LITA were prospectively enrolled. Plasma samples were collected simultaneously from the LITA and ascending aorta. GC-TOF-MS based untargeted metabolomic analyses were performed and a 2-step volcano plot analysis was used to identify distinguishable markers from two plasma metabolome profiles. Semi-quantitative and quantitative analyses were performed using GC-TOF-MS and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, after selecting target metabolites based on the metabolite set enrichment analysis. RESULTS: Initial volcano plot analysis demonstrated 5 possible markers among 851 peaks detected. The final analysis demonstrated that the L-cysteine peak was significantly higher in the LITA than in the ascending aorta (fold change = 1.86). The concentrations of intermediate metabolites such as L-cysteine, L-methionine and L-cystine in the 'cysteine and methionine metabolism pathway' were significantly higher in the LITA than in the ascending aorta (2.0-, 1.4- and 1.2-fold, respectively). Quantitative analysis showed that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was significantly higher in the LITA. CONCLUSION: The plasma metabolome profiles of the LITA and ascending aorta were different, particularly higher plasma concentrations of L-cysteine and H2S in the LITA.

Favorable Outcome of Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide Haploidentical Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation with Targeted Busulfan-Based Myeloablative Conditioning Using Intensive Pharmacokinetic Monitoring in Pediatric Patients.

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) was performed previously in adults using a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen and bone marrow as a graft source. In an effort to reduce relapse rates, myeloablative conditioning regimens with higher intensities are now used. We used an intensive daily pharmacokinetic monitoring method for busulfan dosing in children for effective myeloablation and to reduce toxicity. Here, we report the retrospective results of 34 patients (median age 11.1 years) who underwent haplo-HSCT with PTCy using a targeted busulfan-based myeloablative conditioning regimen and peripheral blood as a stem cell source. The donor-type neutrophil engraftment rate was 97.1%, and the cumulative incidence rates of grade II to IV and grade III to IV acute and extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease were 38.2%, 5.9%, and 9.1%, respectively. The overall survival and event-free survival rates, and treatment-related mortality were 85.0%, 79.4%, and 2.9%, respectively. Based on the subgroup analysis of patients with malignancies (n = 23), the relapse incidence rate was 21.7%. Haplo-HSCT using PTCy with targeted busulfan-based myeloablative conditioning and peripheral blood as a stem cell source was a safe and promising therapeutic option for children.

Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of 21 day multiple oral administration of a new oxazolidinone antibiotic, LCB01-0371, in healthy male subjects.

BACKGROUND: LCB01-0371 is a new oxazolidinone antibiotic, which targets most Gram-positive organisms. High rates of adverse reactions including myelosuppression have been reported for existing oxazolidinones, limiting their long-term use. OBJECTIVES: The safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of 21 day multiple oral administrations of LCB01-0371 in healthy male subjects (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02540460) were investigated. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects received 800 mg of LCB01-0371 once or twice daily or 1200 mg of LCB01-0371 twice-daily for 21 days in a fasting state. Safety and tolerability profiles including laboratory tests were evaluated during the study and on a post-study visit and the results were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). Serial blood samples for PK analysis were collected up to 12 h after dosing on day 21. RESULTS: A total of 40 subjects were enrolled and 34 subjects completed the study. Two subjects dropped out according to stopping rules. In the 1200 mg twice-daily dose group, the absolute value of red blood cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin decreased by 500 × 106/L (6.5%), 4.5% (6.8%) and 1.6 g/dL (6.9%), respectively, after 21 day administrations of LCB01-0371. However, mean relative changes from baseline of all haematology values were not significantly different among doses, including placebo (all, P < 0.05). PK profiles of LCB01-0371 in the dose range of 800 mg once daily to 1200 mg twice daily were consistent with previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: LCB01-0371 is well tolerated in healthy male subjects with comparable haematology profiles to placebo, after multiple doses of up to 1200 mg twice daily for 21 days.