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  • Kanstrup Mercer posted an update 2 days, 13 hours ago

    Objective To develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for ropeginterferon alfa-2b and to compare its PK properties between Caucasian and Chinese populations. Methods A population PK model was developed based on data from two phase I clinical trials conducted in Caucasian and Chinese individuals, to evaluate the influence of ethnicity on the PKs of ropeginterferon alfa-2b. Results We included 456 observations from 30 healthy Caucasian subjects and 438 observations from 27 healthy Chinese subjects in the population PK analysis. The PKs of ropeginterferon alfa-2b were best described by a one-compartment quasi-equilibrium approximated target-mediated drug disposition model with first-order absorption and absorption lag times. The typical value (relative standard error%) of apparent clearance (CL/F) and volume of distribution of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in 70-kg subjects were 0.778 (12%) L/day and 2.32 (14%) L, respectively. Body weight was the only significant factor affecting the CL/F. There were no obvious differences in the PK properties of ropeginterferon alfa-2b, and predicted steady-state exposure was similar in the Chinese and Caucasian populations. Conclusion No significant ethnic differences in ropeginterferon alfa-2b PKs were observed between the Chinese and Caucasian populations.To characterize human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci as risk factors in aromatic antiepileptic drug-induced maculopapular exanthema (AED-MPE). A case-control study was performed to investigate HLA loci involved in AED-MPE in a southern Han Chinese population. Between January 2007 and June 2019, 267 patients with carbamazepine (CBZ), oxcarbazepine (OXC), or lamotrigine (LTG) associated MPE and 387 matched drug-tolerant controls from six centers were enrolled. HLA-A/B/C/DRB1 genotypes were determined using sequence-based typing. Potential risk alleles were validated by meta-analysis using data from different populations and in silico analysis of protein-drug interactions. HLA-DRB1*0406 was significantly associated with OXC-MPE (p = 0.002, p c = 0.04). HLA-B*3802 was associated with CBZ-MPE (p = 0.03). When pooled, HLA-A*2402, HLA-A*3001, and HLA-B*3501 additionally revealed significant association with AED-MPE. Logistic regression analysis showed a multiplicative interaction between HLA-A*2402 and HLA-B*3802 in CBZ-MPE. Meta-analysis of data from different populations revealed that HLA-24*02 and HLA-A*3001 were associated with AED-MPE (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively). In silico analysis of protein-drug interaction demonstrated that HLA-A*2402 and HLA-A*3001 had higher affinities with the three aromatic AEDs than the risk-free HLA-A allele. HLA-DRB1*0406 showed relatively specific high affinity with S-monohydroxy derivative of OXC. HLA-DRB1*0406 is a specific risk allele for OXC-induced MPE in the Southern Han Chinese. HLA-A*2402, possibly HLA-A*3001, are common risk factors for AED-MPE. The multiplicative risk potential between HLA-A*2402 and HLA-B*3802 suggests that patients with two risk alleles are at greater risk than those with one risk allele. Inclusion of these HLA alleles in pre-treatment screening would help estimating the risk of AED-MPE.SARS-CoV-2 is the latest worldwide pandemic declared by the World Health Organization and there is no established anti-COVID-19 drug to combat this notorious situation except some recently approved vaccines. By affecting the global public health sector, this viral infection has created a disastrous situation associated with high morbidity and mortality rates along with remarkable cases of hospitalization because of its tendency to be high infective. These challenges forced researchers and leading pharmaceutical companies to find and develop cures for this novel strain of coronavirus. selleck kinase inhibitor Besides, plants have a proven history of being notable wellsprings of potential drugs, including antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer therapies. As a continuation of this approach, plant-based preparations and bioactive metabolites along with a notable number of traditional medicines, bioactive phytochemicals, traditional Chinese medicines, nutraceuticals, Ayurvedic preparations, and other plant-based products are being exploals (either completed or recruiting) to establish them as novel therapies to address this unwanted pandemic.Corneal opacification is the fourth most common cause of blindness globally behind cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. The standard treatment of serious corneal scarring is corneal transplantation. Though it is effective for restoring vision, the treatment outcome is not optimal, due to limitations such as long-term graft survival, lifelong use of immunosuppressants, and a loss of corneal strength. Regulation of corneal stromal wound healing, along with inhibition or downregulation of corneal scarring is a promising approach to prevent corneal opacification. Pharmacological approaches have been suggested, however these are fraught with side effects. Tissue healing is an intricate process that involves cell death, proliferation, differentiation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Current research on stromal wound healing is focused on corneal characteristics such as the immune response, angiogenesis, and cell signaling. Indeed, promising new technologies with the potential to modulate wound healing are under development. In this review, we provide an overview of cell-free strategies and some approaches under development that have the potential to control stromal fibrosis and scarring, especially in the context of early intervention.The Chinese herb couple Fuzi and Ganjiang (FG) has been a classic combination of traditional Chinese medicine that is commonly used clinically in China for nearly 2000 years. Traditional Chinese medicine suggests that FG can treat various ailments, including heart failure, fatigue, gastrointestinal upset, and depression. Neuroinflammation is one of the main pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases in which microglia cells play a critical role in the occurrence and development of neuroinflammation. FG has been clinically proven to have an efficient therapeutic effect on depression and other neurological disorders, but its mechanism remains unknown. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a serious threat to the quality of life of cancer patients and is characterized by both physical and psychological fatigue. Recent studies have found that neuroinflammation is a key inducement leading to the occurrence and development of CRF. Traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that extreme fatigue and depressive symptoms of CRF are related to Yang deficiency, and the application of Yang tonic drugs such as Fuzi and Ganjiang can relieve CRF symptoms, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.