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1.
Comparing new treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis--a network meta-analysis.
Loveman, E, Copley, VR, Scott, DA, Colquitt, JL, Clegg, AJ, O'Reilly, KM
BMC pulmonary medicine. 2015;:37
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment landscape for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a devastating lung disease, is changing. To investigate the effectiveness of treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis we undertook a systematic review, network meta-analysis and indirect comparison. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane library for relevant studies. Randomised controlled trials of pirfenidone, nintedanib or N-acetylcysteine were eligible. Predefined processes for selecting references, extracting data and assessing study quality were applied. Our network meta-analysis of published data used a fixed effect model. For forced vital capacity measures a standardised mean difference approach was used and converted to odds ratios for interpretation. RESULTS Of 1076 references, 67 were retrieved and 11 studies included. Studies were of reasonable size, populations were similar, and the overall quality was good. Only two treatments, pirfenidone (odds ratio 0.62, 95% credible interval 0.52, 0.74) and nintedanib (0.41, 95% credible interval 0.34, 0.51) produced a statistically significant slowing in the rate of forced vital capacity decline compared with placebo. In an indirect comparison, results indicate that nintedanib is statistically significantly better than pirfenidone in slowing forced vital capacity decline (odds ratio 0.67, 95% credible interval 0.51, 0.88). Results were stable in scenario analysis and random effects models. Indirect comparisons of mortality were not statistically significant between nintedanib and pirfenidone. CONCLUSIONS Two treatments show beneficial effects and when compared indirectly nintedanib appears to have superior benefit on forced vital capacity. Limitations to indirect comparisons should be considered when interpreting these results, however, our findings can be useful to inform treatment decisions.
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2.
Effect of orlistat on weight loss, hormonal and metabolic profiles in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
Moini, A, Kanani, M, Kashani, L, Hosseini, R, Hosseini, L
Endocrine. 2015;(1):286-9
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3.
Comparison of effects of α-Glucosidase inhibitors and glinide drugs on endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.
Sawada, T, Shiotani, H, Terashita, D, Nagasawa, Y, Kim, SS, Koide, M, Yokoyama, M
Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society. 2014;(1):248-55
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown that repeated post-prandial hyperglycemia may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis by suppressing endothelial function. α-Glucosidase inhibitors (α-GIs), which reduce post-prandial hyperglycemia without stimulating insulin secretion, significantly reduce the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), whereas glinides, which improve post-prandial hyperglycemia through post-prandial insulin secretion, do not appear to affect CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 104 diabetic patients with CAD were randomly divided into 2 groups: those treated with miglitol (M-group; n=52) and those treated with nateglinide (N-group; n=52). After 4 months' treatment, although hemoglobin A1c and 1,5-anhydroglucitol were significantly improved in both groups, only the M-group had significant reductions in insulin resistance index and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C; a beneficial index for assessing the presence of small dense low-density lipoprotein, and a marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia). Furthermore, only the M-group had improvement in percentage flow-mediated dilatation (%FMD) and reactive oxygen metabolites. In the M-group, multiple regression analysis showed that improvement in TG/HDL-C, in addition to 1,5-anhydroglucitol, was an independent predictor of improvement in %FMD. CONCLUSIONS The ameliorating effect of α-GI on post-prandial hyperglycemia without stimulating insulin secretion may improve atherogenic dyslipidemia by reducing insulin resistance. These effects are associated with its beneficial impact on oxidative stress, consequently leading to an improvement in endothelial dysfunction.
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4.
A thorough QTc study of 3 doses of iloperidone including metabolic inhibition via CYP2D6 and/or CYP3A4 and a comparison to quetiapine and ziprasidone.
Potkin, SG, Preskorn, S, Hochfeld, M, Meng, X
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology. 2013;(1):3-10
Abstract
The potential for iloperidone, a D2/5-HT2A antipsychotic, to affect the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) was assessed in the absence and presence of metabolic inhibitors in a randomized, open-label, multicenter study. QT interval prolongation by medications, including both conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs, can predispose patients to cardiac arrhythmias and result in sudden death. Adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and normal electrocardiograms at baseline (N = 188) were randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to iloperidone, 8 mg twice daily (BID), 12 mg BID, 24 mg once daily (QD); quetiapine, 375 mg BID; or ziprasidone, 80 mg BID during period 1 (no metabolic inhibitors present). Iloperidone BID produced mean changes in QTc Fridericia correction (QTcF) interval (8.5-9.0 milliseconds [ms]) similar to those produced by ziprasidone (9.6 ms) and higher than those produced by quetiapine (1.3 ms). Iloperidone, 24 mg QD, produced a mean QTcF change of 15.4 ms. Coadministration of metabolic inhibitors with iloperidone during periods 2 (paroxetine) and 3 (paroxetine and ketoconazole) resulted in greater increases in the QTc interval. Increased QTc was observed in individuals with specific cytochrome P450 2D6 polymorphisms. Up to 10% of patients on iloperidone experienced QTc intervals of 60 ms or longer in the presence of metabolic inhibition and QD dosing. However, no patients experienced QTc changes of clinical concern (QTc ≥ 500 ms). The most common adverse events with iloperidone were headache, anxiety, and dyspepsia. The only cardiovascular adverse events with iloperidone were non-concentration-dependent tachycardia that was mild in most patients and did not lead to further sequelae. Pharmacogenetics and recommendations are discussed.
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5.
Effect of the CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole on the PXR-mediated induction of CYP3A activity.
Fuchs, I, Hafner-Blumenstiel, V, Markert, C, Burhenne, J, Weiss, J, Haefeli, WE, Mikus, G
European journal of clinical pharmacology. 2013;(3):507-13
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this clinical study was to investigate a previously proposed mechanism of ketoconazole-mediated inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) induction. METHODS A two-phase, randomized, cross-over, open, mono-centre trial was carried out. Participants received ketoconazole and St John's wort for 8 days to study the proposed suppression of St John's wort-mediated induction of CYP3A at the transcriptional level. In the second phase, we studied the inhibitory effect of a single dose of ketoconazole directly at the enzyme level during CYP3A induction by St John's wort. Midazolam served as a marker substance of CYP3A activity using an established limited sampling strategy. RESULTS After 8 days of simultaneous ketoconazole and St John's wort administration, CYP3A-mediated midazolam metabolism was strongly inhibited (81 % decrease in clearance). Following the induction of CYP3A with St John's wort (6.6-fold increase in clearance on day 8), a single dose of ketoconazole strongly inhibited midazolam metabolism to the same degree (82 % decrease in clearance in relation to baseline). An induction of midazolam metabolism was observed after discontinuation of both drugs in both study phases. These results apparently contradict the in vitro results where ketoconazole showed an inhibitory effect on the transcription of CYP3A genes. CONCLUSIONS Ketoconazole is a strong inhibitor of CYP3A, also when used concomitantly with St John's wort. In therapeutic doses it does not inhibit pregnane X receptor-mediated induction of CYP3A in vivo.
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6.
Selective detection of caspase-3 versus caspase-7 using activity-based probes with key unnatural amino acids.
Vickers, CJ, González-Páez, GE, Wolan, DW
ACS chemical biology. 2013;(7):1558-66
Abstract
Caspases are required for essential biological functions, most notably apoptosis and pyroptosis, but also cytokine production, cell proliferation, and differentiation. One of the most well studied members of this cysteine protease family includes executioner caspase-3, which plays a central role in cell apoptosis and differentiation. Unfortunately, there exists a dearth of chemical tools to selectively monitor caspase-3 activity under complex cellular and in vivo conditions due to its close homology with executioner caspase-7. Commercially available activity-based probes and substrates rely on the canonical DEVD tetrapeptide sequence, which both caspases-3 and -7 recognize with similar affinity, and thus the individual contributions of caspase-3 and/or -7 toward important cellular processes are irresolvable. Here, we analyzed a variety of permutations of the DEVD peptide sequence in order to discover peptides with biased activity and recognition of caspase-3 versus caspases-6, -7, -8, and -9. Through this study, we identify fluorescent and biotinylated probes capable of selective detection of caspase-3 using key unnatural amino acids. Likewise, we determined the X-ray crystal structures of caspases-3, -7, and -8 in complex with our lead peptide inhibitor to elucidate the binding mechanism and active site interactions that promote the selective recognition of caspase-3 over other highly homologous caspase family members.
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7.
Ultrasonographic measures of synovitis in an early phase clinical trial: a double-blind, randomised, placebo and comparator controlled phase IIa trial of GW274150 (a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) in rheumatoid arthritis.
Seymour, M, Pétavy, F, Chiesa, F, Perry, H, Lukey, PT, Binks, M, Donatien, PD, Freidin, AJ, Eckersley, RJ, McClinton, C, et al
Clinical and experimental rheumatology. 2012;(2):254-61
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test the sensitivity to change of ultrasonographic endpoints in early phase clinical trials in subjects with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS A double-blind, placebo and comparator controlled, randomised, two-centre study investigated the effect on synovial thickness and vascularity of 28 days repeat daily oral dosing of 60 mg of the inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor GW274150 or 7.5 mg prednisolone in RA. Fifty patients with DAS28 scores ≥4.0 were assigned to 3 treatment arms of 17, 19 and 14 (on placebo, GW274150 and prednisolone respectively). Synovial thickness and vascularity of all 10 metacarpophalangeal joints were assessed by ultrasonography using a semi-quantitative scale at baseline (Day 1), Day 15 and Day 28. Vascularity was also measured quantitatively by power Doppler area. RESULTS At Day 28, the GW274150 group showed a trend towards reduction in synovial thickness compared with placebo, with an adjusted mean decrease of 33% (p=0.072); the prednisolone group decreased significantly by 44% (p=0.011). Similarly, there was a trend to reduced synovial vascularity with GW274150 by 42% compared with placebo (p=0.075); prednisolone resulted in a statistically significant decrease of 55% (p=0.012). There was a 55% decrease in power Doppler area for GW274150, compared with placebo although the result was not statistically significant (p=0.375). Prednisolone 7.5 mg resulted in a highly statistically significant decrease of 95% (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS This study advocates the use of ultrasonographic measures of metacarpophalangeal joint synovitis as an endpoint for clinical studies assessing therapeutic potential of new compounds in small patient cohorts over 28 days.
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8.
Acute effects of calcineurin inhibitors on kidney allograft microperfusion visualized by contrast-enhanced sonography.
Kihm, LP, Blume, C, Seckinger, J, Hankel, V, Stoffler, D, Morath, C, Zeier, M, Schwenger, V
Transplantation. 2012;(11):1125-9
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcineurin inhibitors induce detrimental vascular remodeling, which may be one cause of chronic allograft failure. Real-time contrast-enhanced sonography (CES) is a relatively new technique in providing quantitative information on microvascular tissue perfusion in kidney allografts in more detail. The purpose of the study was to explore whether acute changes of kidney allograft microperfusion due to the administration of cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (Tac) can be evidenced using real-time CES. METHODS In an explorative single-center clinical trial, renal parenchymal tissue perfusion of 32 stable kidney allograft recipients was evaluated with CES before and 2 hr after the intake of CsA or Tac. In addition to laboratory and clinical parameters, Doppler indices and estimated glomerular filtration rate were measured. RESULTS Although systolic and diastolic blood pressure and color Doppler indices did not significantly differ, there was a significant decrease of renal blood flow 2 hr after the intake of CsA compared with baseline (4.78±2.31 dB/s, 49%, respectively). In contrast, kidney allograft microperfusion was neither significantly reduced in patients receiving CsA paralleled by calcium channel blockers nor significantly reduced in patients receiving Tac. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between renal blood flow obtained before drug administration and kidney function. CONCLUSIONS CES revealed a 49% reduction of kidney allograft microperfusion 2 hr after the intake of CsA, which might be abrogated by calcium channel blockers. In comparison to CsA, Tac did not result in a significant decrease of kidney blood flow.
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9.
Comparing the efficacy of α-glucosidase inhibitors in suppressing postprandial hyperglycemia using continuous glucose monitoring: a pilot study-the MAJOR study.
Tsujino, D, Nishimura, R, Taki, K, Morimoto, A, Tajima, N, Utsunomiya, K
Diabetes technology & therapeutics. 2011;(3):303-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare glucose variability in patients given the α-glucosidase inhibitors miglitol and acarbose using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). METHODS Ten type 2 diabetes patients were hospitalized for 4 days, and their glucose levels were measured using CGM. Patients were given miglitol (50 mg) or acarbose (100 mg) before each meal on Day 2, and vice versa on Day 3, in a randomized crossover design. The patients had three identical test meals on Days 2 and 3. The CGM data were used to compare each parameter for glycemic variability after each of the three meals. RESULTS No significant differences were observed between miglitol treatment or acarbose treatment in regard to the range of increase in glucose levels from baseline to peak, time to peak postprandial glucose levels from the preprandial period, and area under the curve for glycemic variability from the preprandial period to 3 h after each meal. However, the range of increase in glucose levels at 30 min (0.4 vs. 30.7 mg/dL, P < 0.0001) and 60 min (32.8 vs. 67.5 mg/dL, P <0.0001) after lunch and 30, 60, and 90 min after dinner (3.3 vs. 22.2 mg/dL, P = 0.0249; 36.6 vs. 67.5 mg/dL, P < 0.0001; and 60.5 vs. 81.6 mg/dL, P = 0.0073, respectively) was significantly smaller in miglitol treatment compared with acarbose treatment. CONCLUSIONS In a pilot study with a crossover design in 10 type 2 diabetes patients, it was shown that although there was no significant difference in glucose variability with miglitol or acarbose after a fat-rich diet, glucose increases was significantly reduced with miglitol after a meal comprising typical Japanese diet 60-90 min postprandially.
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10.
Effects of hydroxychloroquine on salivary flow rates and oral complaints of Sjögren patients: a prospective sample study.
Cankaya, H, Alpöz, E, Karabulut, G, Güneri, P, Boyacioglu, H, Kabasakal, Y
Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics. 2010;(1):62-7
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy effects subjective and/or objective complaints and salivary flow rates of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS). STUDY DESIGN Thirty women recently diagnosed with PSS, scheduled for HCQ treatment (400 mg daily), participated and were clinically examined before initiation of 30 weeks of HCQ treatment. During baseline evaluation, both the objective and/or subjective oral findings were recorded. Unstimulated (uSFR) and stimulated salivary flow rates (sSFR) were determined. After initiation of HCQ treatment, study parameters were assessed at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 weeks. Each patient served as her own control; measurements of the baseline and control times were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS uSFR values increased significantly with HCQ treatment, but sSFR values, objective and/or subjective complaints did not change considerably. CONCLUSION A positive impact of 30 weeks of HCQ treatment only on uSFRs of SS patients was revealed.