CYP3A and CYP2C19 activity in urine in relation to CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2C19 polymorphisms in Russian peptic ulcer patients taking omeprazole.

Pharmgenomics Pers Med. 2018;11:107-112

Authors: Denisenko NP, Sychev DA, Sizova ZM, Smirnov VV, Ryzhikova KA, Sozaeva ZA, Grishina EA

Abstract
Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are metabolized by cytochrome P450. CYP2C19 is the main isoenzyme for the majority of PPI, whereas CYP3A family is a secondary enzyme for PPI biotransformation.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to find if CYP3A4*22, CYP3A5*3, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, and CYP2C19*17 genotypes are connected with CYP3A and CYP2C19 activities in Russian peptic ulcer patients taking omeprazole.
Patients and methods: Forty-eight gastric or duodenal ulcer patients (15 men, 33 women; mean age 55.0±15.3 years, age range 18-91 years) from Moscow region of Russia were enrolled. Peripheral venous blood was collected for DNA extraction, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for CYP3A5*3 A6986G (rs776746), CYP3A4*22 C>T in intron 6 (rs35599367), CYP2C19*2G681A (rs4244285), CYP2C19*3G636A (rs4986893), and CYP2C19*17C-806T (rs12248560) polymorphism analyses. Urine samples of patients were collected in the morning between 6 and 9 am before food or drug intake. Urine cortisol and 6β-hydroxycortisol concentrations (for CYP3A activity) and omeprazole and 5-hydroxyomeprazole concentrations (for CYP2C19 activity) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy.
Results: We found a connection between CYP2C19 genotypes and CYP3A activity. Median metabolic ratios 6β-hydroxycortisol/cortisol (25%-75% percentiles) were 2.84 (1.99-4.39) for CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers (EMs), 2.51 (1.86-4.73) for CYP2C19 ultra-rapid metabolizers (UMs), and 1.45 (1.12-2.16) for CYP2C19 intermediate metabolizers (IMs) + poor metabolizers (PMs). A statistically significant difference in CYP3A activity (Mann-Whitney test) was found between CYP2C19 EMs vs CYP2C19 IMs+PMs (p=0.006), between CYP2C19 UMs vs CYP2C19 IMs+PMs (p=0.018), and in multiple comparison Kruskal-Wallis test (p=0.014).
Conclusion: In CYP2C19 IMs+PMs, CYP3A activity was significantly lower than in CYP2C19 EMs and UMs.

PMID: 29950882 [PubMed]

COMT Val 108/158 Met polymorphism and treatment response to aripiprazole in patients with acute schizophrenia.

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2018;14:1657-1663

Authors: Kaneko H, Miura I, Kanno-Nozaki K, Horikoshi S, Hino M, Yabe H

Abstract
Introduction: The COMT Val 108/158 Met polymorphism (rs4680) may affect treatment response to antipsychotics, as well as metabolism and dynamics of neurotransmitters during the treatment of schizophrenia. We investigated the effects of the COMT Val 108/158 Met polymorphism on treatment response to aripiprazole and plasma monoamine metabolite levels in patients with acute schizophrenia.
Materials and methods: Forty patients with schizophrenia were treated with aripiprazole for 6 weeks. We measured Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and plasma levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and plasma MHPG (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenethyleneglycol) at baseline and endpoint. The COMT Val 108/158 Met polymorphism was genotyped with the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism.
Results: There were significant genotype-time interactions on PANSS total and general psychopathology scores, with Met/Met genotype showing greater improvement. The response rate to aripiprazole did not differ between COMT Val 108/158 Met genotype groups. We found a significant time effect on plasma MHPG levels, but no time effect on plasma HVA levels or time-genotype interactions in the plasma levels of HVA and MHPG. Although the responder rate did not differ among the 3 genotype groups.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that individuals with the Met/Met genotype had greater improvement in PANSS score after the treatment with aripiprazole. On the other hand, the Val 108/158 Met polymorphism may not induce changes in plasma levels of monoamine metabolites during aripiprazole treatment. Because of the small sample size, further studies are needed to confirm and to extend our results.

PMID: 29950847 [PubMed]

More than fishing for a cure: The promises and pitfalls of high throughput cancer cell line screens.

Pharmacol Ther. 2018 Jun 25;:

Authors: Ling A, Gruener RF, Fessler J, Stephanie Huang R

Abstract
High-throughput screens in cancer cell lines (CCLs) have been used for decades to help researchers identify compounds with the potential to improve the treatment of cancer and, more recently, to identify genomic susceptibilities in cancer via genome-wide shRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 screens. Additionally, rich genomic and transcriptomic data of these CCLs has allowed researchers to pair this screening data with biological features, enabling efforts to identify biomarkers of treatment response and gene dependencies. In this paper, we review the major CCL screening efforts and the large datasets these screens have made available. We also assess the CCL screens collectively and include a resource with harmonized CCL and compound identifiers to facilitate comparisons across screens. The CCLs in these screens were found to represent a wide range of cancer types, with a strong correlation between the representation of a cancer type and its associated mortality. Patient ages and gender distributions of CCLs were generally as expected, with some notable exceptions of female underrepresentation in certain disease types. Also, ethnicity information, while largely incomplete, suggests that African American and Hispanic patients may be severely underrepresented in these screens. Nearly all genes were targeted in the genetic perturbations screens, but the compounds used for the drug screens target less than half of known cancer drivers, likely reflecting known limitations in our drug design capabilities. Finally, we discuss recent developments in the field and the promise they hold for enabling future screens to overcome previous limitations and lead to new breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

PMID: 29953899 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Critical differences in drug metabolic properties of human hepatic cellular models, including primary human hepatocytes, stem cell derived hepatocytes, and hepatoma cell lines.

Biochem Pharmacol. 2018 Jun 25;:

Authors: Kvist AJ, Kanebratt KP, Walentinsson A, Palmgren H, O'Hara M, Björkbom A, Andersson LC, Ahlqvist M, Andersson TB

Abstract
Primary human hepatocytes (PHH), HepaRG™, HepG2, and two sources of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived hepatocytes were characterized regarding gene expression and function of key hepatic proteins, important for the metabolic fate of drugs. The gene expression PCA analysis showed a distance between the two iPSC derived hepatocytes as well as the HepG2 and HepaRG™ cells to the three PHH donors and PHH pool, which were clustered more closely together. Correlation-based hierarchical analysis clustered HepG2 close to the stem cell derived hepatocytes both when the expression of 91 genes related to liver function or only cytochrome P450 (P450) genes were analyzed indicating the non-liver feature and a similar low P450 profile in these cell models. The specific P450 activities and the metabolic pattern of well-characterized drug substances in the cell models demonstrated that iPSC derived hepatocytes had modest levels of CYP3A and CYP2C9, while CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, and 2D6 were barely detectable. High expression of several extrahepatic P450s such as CYP1A1 and 1B1 detected in the stem cell derived hepatocytes may have significant effects on metabolite profiles. However, one of the iPSC derived hepatocytes demonstrated significant combined P450 and conjugating enzyme activity of certain drugs. HepaRG™ cells showed many metabolic properties similar to PHHs and will in many respects be a good model in studies of metabolic pathways and induction of drug metabolism whereas there is still ground to cover before iPSC derived hepatocytes will be seen as a substitute to PHH in drug metabolism studies.

PMID: 29953844 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Pharmacogenetic evaluation of a DISP1 gene variant in antidepressant treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Hum Psychopharmacol. 2018 Jun 28;:e2659

Authors: Lisoway AJ, Zai G, Tiwari AK, Zai CC, Wigg K, Goncalves V, Zhang D, Freeman N, Müller DJ, Kennedy JL, Richter MA

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reported a significant marker in the dispatched homolog 1 (Drosophila) gene (DISP1 gene) associated with serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) antidepressant response (Qin et al., ). DISP1 has never been examined before in terms of association with SRI response until this GWAS. We attempt to replicate the GWAS finding by investigating the association of the DISP1 rs17162912 polymorphism with SRI response in our sample of 112 European Caucasian OCD patients.
METHODS: Patients were previously treated naturalistically with up to 6 different SRIs sequentially, including 5 selective SRIs (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram) and 1 SRI (clomipramine). Each medication trial was evaluated retrospectively for response and was rated categorically as either responder or nonresponder using the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale. Fisher's exact test was used to investigate the relationship between the DISP1 rs17162912 genotype distribution and SRI response.
RESULTS: We did not observe a significant association between rs17162912 and SRI response (p = .32).
CONCLUSION: This replication study did not support the role of DISP1 in predicting SRI response in OCD; however, methodological differences between the original GWAS and our study, as well as limited power and low minor allele frequency, may have hindered replication.

PMID: 29953682 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

RNA Sequencing of Carboplatin- and Paclitaxel-Resistant Endometrial Cancer Cells Reveals New Stratification Markers and Molecular Targets for Cancer Treatment.

Horm Cancer. 2018 Jun 27;:

Authors: Hellweg R, Mooneyham A, Chang Z, Shetty M, Emmings E, Iizuka Y, Clark C, Starr T, Abrahante JH, Schütz F, Konecny G, Argenta P, Bazzaro M

Abstract
Despite advances in surgical technique and adjuvant treatment, endometrial cancer has recently seen an increase in incidence and mortality in the USA. The majority of endometrial cancers can be cured by surgery alone or in combination with adjuvant chemo- or radiotherapy; however, a subset of patients experience recurrence for reasons that remain unclear. Recurrence is associated with chemoresistance to carboplatin and paclitaxel and consequentially, high mortality. Understanding the pathways involved in endometrial cancer chemoresistance is paramount for the identification of biomarkers and novel molecular targets for this disease. Here, we generated the first matched pairs of carboplatin-sensitive/carboplatin-resistant and paclitaxel-sensitive/paclitaxel-resistant endometrial cancer cells and subjected them to bulk RNA sequencing analysis. We found that 45 genes are commonly upregulated in carboplatin- and paclitaxel-resistant cells as compared to controls. Of these, the leukemia inhibitory factor, (LIF), the protein tyrosine phosphatase type IVA, member 3 (PTP4A3), and the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) showed a highly significant correlation between expression level and endometrial cancer overall survival (OS) and can stratify the 545 endometrial cancer patients in the TCGA cohort into a high-risk and low-risk-cohorts. Additionally, four genes within the 45 upregulated chemoresistance-associated genes are ADAMTS5, MICAL2, STAT5A, and PTP4A3 codes for proteins for which small-molecule inhibitors already exist. We identified these proteins as molecular targets for chemoresistant endometrial cancer and showed that treatment with their correspondent inhibitors effectively killed otherwise chemoresistant cells. Collectively, these findings underline the utility of matched pair of chemosensitive and chemoresistant cancer cells to identify markers for endometrial cancer risk stratification and to serve as a pharmacogenomics model for identification of alternative chemotherapy approaches for treatment of patients with recurrent disease.

PMID: 29951943 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Determinants of High Fasting Insulin and Insulin Resistance Among Overweight/Obese Adolescents.

Sci Rep. 2016 11 08;6:36270

Authors: Ling JC, Mohamed MN, Jalaludin MY, Rampal S, Zaharan NL, Mohamed Z

Abstract
Hyperinsulinaemia is the earliest subclinical metabolic abnormality, which precedes insulin resistance in obese children. An investigation was conducted on the potential predictors of fasting insulin and insulin resistance among overweight/obese adolescents in a developing Asian country. A total of 173 overweight/obese (BMI > 85th percentile) multi-ethnic Malaysian adolescents aged 13 were recruited from 23 randomly selected schools in this cross-sectional study. Waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BF%), physical fitness score (PFS), fasting glucose and fasting insulin were measured. Insulin resistance was calculated using homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Adjusted stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to predict fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. Covariates included pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, nutritional and physical activity scores. One-third of our adolescents were insulin resistant, with girls having significantly higher fasting insulin and HOMA-IR than boys. Gender, pubertal stage, BMI, WC and BF% had significant, positive moderate correlations with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR while PFS was inversely correlated (p < 0.05). Fasting insulin was primarily predicted by gender-girls (Beta = 0.305, p < 0.0001), higher BMI (Beta = -0.254, p = 0.02) and greater WC (Beta = 0.242, p = 0.03). This study demonstrated that gender, BMI and WC are simple predictors of fasting insulin and insulin resistance in overweight/obese adolescents.

PMID: 27824069 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Phase II study of DFP-10917, a deoxycytidine analog, given by 14-day continuous intravenous infusion for chemotherapy-refractory advanced colorectal cancer.

Invest New Drugs. 2018 Jun 13;:

Authors: Mehrvarz Sarshekeh A, Xiong HQ, Iizuka K, Hochster HS, Kopetz S

Abstract
Background DFP-10917 is a cytotoxic deoxycytidine analogue that causes DNA fragmentation, G2/M-phase arrest, and apoptosis. This agent has been shown to have antitumor activity against colorectal cancer (CRC) in preclinical studies and to be tolerable in patients. The purpose of our phase II trial was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacogenomics of DFP-10917 as well as DNA damage studies in patients with advanced CRC refractory to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Methods In this single-arm, Simon two-stage, phase II trial, patients with chemotherapy-refractory advanced CRC received 2.0 mg/m2/day DFP-10917 via 14-day continuous infusion. Enrollment criteria included age ≥ 18 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status of 0 or 1, and adequate organ function. The primary endpoint was 3-month progression-free survival, defined as the proportion of patients who did not have progressive disease or death within 3 months of starting therapy. All patients who received any amount of DFP-10917 were included in the safety analysis. DNA damage study was assessed by comet assay. Results Of 28 patients initially enrolled, 26 received DFP-10917. Three patients (12%) were progression free at 3 months. The median progression-free survival was 1.3 months (95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.6 months). There were no complete or partial responses. Most patients (n = 20, 77%) had progressive disease, and only six (23%) had stable disease at any time. The trial was terminated according to the pre-planned stopping rule. The most frequent (≥5%) medication-related grade 3 or higher adverse events were neutropenia (n = 10, 38%), fatigue (n = 4, 15%), anemia (n = 3, 12%), and leukopenia (n = 3, 12%). DNA strand-breaks were detected after infusion (medians of % tail intensity were 2.89 and 12.64 on day 1 and day 15, respectively, p < 0.001, sign test). Conclusion Overall, single-agent DFP-10917 did not show meaningful antitumor activity in chemotherapy-refractory advanced CRC. The safety profile of DFP-10917 was tolerable and similar to that observed in earlier clinical studies.

PMID: 29948357 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Haplotypes of ABCB1 1236C >T (rs1128503), 2677G >T/A (rs2032582), and 3435C >T (rs1045642) in patients with bullous pemphigoid.

Arch Dermatol Res. 2018 Jun 09;:

Authors: Rychlik-Sych M, Barańska M, Dudarewicz M, Skrętkowicz J, Żebrowska A, Woźniacka A, Owczarek J, Orszulak-Michalak D, Waszczykowska E

Abstract
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) constitutes the most prevalent disease in the group of bullous dermatoses with the autoimmune background. Some authors suggest that certain cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ) may be transported by P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the product of the ABCB1 gene. ABCB1 polymorphism might affect not only the effectiveness of treatment with drugs that are P-gp substrates but also contribute to the development of diseases, including BP. In the present work, we resolved to conduct a haplotype analysis of ABCB1 in patients with BP and to answer the question of whether any of the haplotypes are able to affect the incidence of this entity. The study involved 71 patients with BP and 100 healthy volunteers. Determination of polymorphisms 1236C > T and 3435C > T in ABCB1 was carried out with the PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) method. The 2677G > T/A ABCB1 polymorphism was analyzed with the allele-specific PCR method. It was observed that the 1236T-2677G-3435T haplotype occurred with a statistically significantly lower frequency in patients with BP than in controls (1.4 vs. 10.0%). Carriers of this haplotype were also shown to have had a low relative risk for BP (OR = 0.13, p = 0.003). Haplotype analysis of ABCB1 conducted in patients with BP demonstrated that the 1236T-2677G-3435T haplotype may protect against development of this entity.

PMID: 29948283 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Effects of CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms on steady-state pharmacokinetics and hemodynamic effects of tamsulosin in humans.

Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Jun 13;:

Authors: Kim KA, Park IB, Park JY

Abstract
PURPOSE: Tamsulosin is one of the most potent drugs currently available to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and CYP3A are the two major enzymes responsible for tamsulosin metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics and hemodynamic effects of tamsulosin in humans.
METHODS: Twenty-nine male subjects were enrolled and their CYP2D6 (*2,*4,*5,*10,*14,*21,*41, and *xN) and CYP3A5 (*5) genotypes were screened. Tamsulosin was administered daily for 6 days to assess its steady-state pharmacokinetics and hemodynamic effects according to CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 genotypes.
RESULTS: CYP2D6 group 3 (with genotype *10/*10 or *5/*10) exhibited higher plasma levels than CYP2D6 group 1 (with genotype *1/*1,*1/*2,*1/*2xN, or *2/*10xN) or CYP2D6 group 2 (with genotype *1/*10,*1/*41, or *2/*5) (trough concentrations for groups 1, 2, and 3: 1.3, 1.8, and 3.8 ng/mL, respectively [P < 0.001]; peak concentrations for groups 1, 2, 3: 8.3, 10.0, and 13.8 ng/mL, respectively [P < 0.005]). Similarly, CYP2D6 genotypes influenced the hemodynamic effects of tamsulosin based on systolic and diastolic blood pressures. However, the CYP3A5*3 polymorphism did not affect tamsulosin plasma levels and its hemodynamic effects.
CONCLUSION: The CYP2D6 but not the CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms affected the pharmacokinetics and the hemodynamic effects of tamsulosin.

PMID: 29947950 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Type 2 Diabetes in Relation to Hip Bone Density, Area, and Bone Turnover in Swedish Men and Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Calcif Tissue Int. 2018 Jun 26;:

Authors: Mitchell A, Fall T, Melhus H, Wolk A, Michaëlsson K, Byberg L

Abstract
Men and women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have higher risk of hip fracture, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. We aimed to investigate how T2DM, glucose, and insulin were associated with femoral bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral area (BMA), and bone turnover markers. We used two cross-sectional cohorts: the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM, n = 452, mean age 82 years) and the Swedish Mammography Cohort Clinical (SMCC, n = 4713, mean age 68 years). We identified men and women with normal fasting glucose (NFG), impaired fasting plasma glucose (IFG), and T2DM. BMD and BMA at the total hip and femoral shaft were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone turnover markers; CrossLaps and osteocalcin were measured in women. Linear regression models were applied. Men and women showed a progressively higher BMD following the clinical cutoffs of fasting glucose from NFG to IFG to T2DM. In contrast, there was a progressively lower BMA. Men and women with T2DM, compared to those with NFG, had lower BMA at the total hip (- 1.7%; 95% CI - 3.2, - 0.2 and - 1.0%; 95% CI - 1.6, - 0.4) and the femoral shaft (- 2.0%; 95% CI - 3.5, - 0.4 and - 0.6%; 95% CI - 1.2, - 0.01), respectively. T2DM was associated with lower concentrations of CrossLaps (- 8.1%; 95% CI - 12.7, - 3.6) and osteocalcin (- 15.2%; 95% CI - 19.0, - 11.2). These cross-sectional results indicate that those with T2DM have smaller bone area and lower bone turnover, which could increase the risk of hip fracture.

PMID: 29946974 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Adverse Neuropsychiatric Events and Recreational Use of Efavirenz and Other HIV-1 Antiretroviral Drugs.

Pharmacol Rev. 2018 Jul;70(3):684-711

Authors: Dalwadi DA, Ozuna L, Harvey BH, Viljoen M, Schetz JA

Abstract
Efavirenz is a highly effective HIV-1 antiretroviral; however, it is also frequently associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAE) that include abnormal dreams, sleep disturbances, nervousness, anxiety, depression, and dizziness. The incidence of NPAEs upon initiation of treatment with efavirenz-containing medications is high, exceeding 50% in most studies. Although the NPAEs tend to decrease after the first month in many patients, they persist for long periods of time in others. Efavirenz-based treatment is generally well-tolerated in children, although some experience persistent concentration problems, as well as sleep disturbances, psychotic reactions, and seizures. In an effort to link basic with clinical research, parameters associated with efavirenz brain exposure are discussed, and factors that increase efavirenz levels are explored in depth as they are expected to contribute to NPAE risk. These include the role of modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors such as diet, weight, and drug-drug interactions and sex, age, and ethnicity/pharmacogenetics. In addition to NPAEs, this review explores what is known about antiretroviral (ARV) drugs being used for recreational purposes. Although multiple ARV drugs are covered, special attention is devoted to efavirenz given that the majority of reports of NPAEs and illicit use of ARV drugs concern efavirenz. The evolving molecular mechanistic basis of NPAEs and abuse of efavirenz point to a complex and polymodal receptor pharmacology. Animal studies to date primarily point to a serotonergic mechanism of action. Recently emerging associations between HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder and efavirenz use, and possible contributions of the mitochondrial-immune-inflammatory-redox cascade are explored in the context of the signaling mechanisms that appear to be involved.

PMID: 29945900 [PubMed - in process]

Pharmaceutical Additive Manufacturing: a Novel Tool for Complex and Personalized Drug Delivery Systems.

AAPS PharmSciTech. 2018 Jun 25;:

Authors: Zhang J, Vo AQ, Feng X, Bandari S, Repka MA

Abstract
Inter-individual variability is always an issue when treating patients of different races, genders, ages, pharmacogenetics, and pharmacokinetic characteristics. However, the development of novel dosage forms is limited by the huge investments required for production line modifications and dosages diversity. Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing can be a novel alternative solution for the development of controlled release dosages because it can produce personalized or unique dosage forms and more complex drug-release profiles. The primary objective of this manuscript is to review the 3D printing processes that have been used in the pharmaceutical area, including their general aspects, materials, and the operation of each AM technique. Advantages and shortcomings of the technologies are discussed with respect to practice and practical applications. Thus, this review will provide an overview and discussion on advanced pharmaceutical AM technologies, which can be used to produce unique controlled drug delivery systems and personalized dosages for the future of personalized medicine.

PMID: 29943281 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Population Pharmacokinetics and Dosing Optimization of Azithromycin in Children with Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018 Jun 25;:

Authors: Zheng Y, Liu SP, Xu BP, Shi ZR, Wang K, Yang JB, Huang X, Tang BH, Chen XK, Shi HY, Zhou Y, Wu YE, Qi H, Jacqz-Aigrain E, Shen AD, Zhao W

Abstract
Background: Azithromycin is extensively used in children acquired with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Currently, the intravenous azithromycin was used off-label in children partly due to lacking of pharmacokinetic data. Our objective was to evaluate the population pharmacokinetics (PPK) and optimize dose strategy in order to improve treatment in this distinctive population.Methods: This was a prospective, multi-center, open-labeled pharmacokinetic study. Blood samples were collected from hospitalized pediatric patients and concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS. PPK analysis was conducted using NONMEM software.Results: The pharmacokinetic data from 95 pediatric patients (age range 2.1 - 11.7 years) were available for analysis. The PPK was best fitted by two-compartment model with linear elimination. Covariate analysis verified body weight and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had significant effect on azithromycin pharmacokinetics, yielding a 24% decrease of clearance in patients with ALT>40. Monte Carlo simulation showed that for children with normal liver function, a loading dose strategy (a loading dose of 15mg/kg followed by maintenance doses of 10 mg/kg) would achieve the ratio of the area under free drug plasma concentration-time curve over 24 hours (fAUC) to MIC90 (fAUC/MIC) target of 3 h in 53.2% hypothetical patients, using normative MIC susceptibility breakpoint of 2 mg/L. For children with ALT>40, the proposed dose needed to decrease by 15% to achieve comparable exposure. The corresponding risk of overdose for the recommended dosing regimen was less than 5.8%.Conclusion: The PPK of azithromycin was evaluated in CAP children and an optimal dosing regimen was constructed based on developmental pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling and simulation.

PMID: 29941652 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Pharmacogenetics of Warfarin Therapy.

Clin Chem. 2018 Jun 25;:

Authors: Ruff CT

PMID: 29941467 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Insights into the genetic epidemiology of Crohn's and rare diseases in the Ashkenazi Jewish population.

PLoS Genet. 2018 05;14(5):e1007329

Authors: Rivas MA, Avila BE, Koskela J, Huang H, Stevens C, Pirinen M, Haritunians T, Neale BM, Kurki M, Ganna A, Graham D, Glaser B, Peter I, Atzmon G, Barzilai N, Levine AP, Schiff E, Pontikos N, Weisburd B, Lek M, Karczewski KJ, Bloom J, Minikel EV, Petersen BS, Beaugerie L, Seksik P, Cosnes J, Schreiber S, Bokemeyer B, Bethge J, International IBD Genetics Consortium, NIDDK IBD Genetics Consortium, T2D-GENES Consortium, Heap G, Ahmad T, Plagnol V, Segal AW, Targan S, Turner D, Saavalainen P, Farkkila M, Kontula K, Palotie A, Brant SR, Duerr RH, Silverberg MS, Rioux JD, Weersma RK, Franke A, Jostins L, Anderson CA, Barrett JC, MacArthur DG, Jalas C, Sokol H, Xavier RJ, Pulver A, Cho JH, McGovern DPB, Daly MJ

Abstract
As part of a broader collaborative network of exome sequencing studies, we developed a jointly called data set of 5,685 Ashkenazi Jewish exomes. We make publicly available a resource of site and allele frequencies, which should serve as a reference for medical genetics in the Ashkenazim (hosted in part at https://ibd.broadinstitute.org, also available in gnomAD at http://gnomad.broadinstitute.org). We estimate that 34% of protein-coding alleles present in the Ashkenazi Jewish population at frequencies greater than 0.2% are significantly more frequent (mean 15-fold) than their maximum frequency observed in other reference populations. Arising via a well-described founder effect approximately 30 generations ago, this catalog of enriched alleles can contribute to differences in genetic risk and overall prevalence of diseases between populations. As validation we document 148 AJ enriched protein-altering alleles that overlap with "pathogenic" ClinVar alleles (table available at https://github.com/macarthur-lab/clinvar/blob/master/output/clinvar.tsv), including those that account for 10-100 fold differences in prevalence between AJ and non-AJ populations of some rare diseases, especially recessive conditions, including Gaucher disease (GBA, p.Asn409Ser, 8-fold enrichment); Canavan disease (ASPA, p.Glu285Ala, 12-fold enrichment); and Tay-Sachs disease (HEXA, c.1421+1G>C, 27-fold enrichment; p.Tyr427IlefsTer5, 12-fold enrichment). We next sought to use this catalog, of well-established relevance to Mendelian disease, to explore Crohn's disease, a common disease with an estimated two to four-fold excess prevalence in AJ. We specifically attempt to evaluate whether strong acting rare alleles, particularly protein-truncating or otherwise large effect-size alleles, enriched by the same founder-effect, contribute excess genetic risk to Crohn's disease in AJ, and find that ten rare genetic risk factors in NOD2 and LRRK2 are enriched in AJ (p < 0.005), including several novel contributing alleles, show evidence of association to CD. Independently, we find that genomewide common variant risk defined by GWAS shows a strong difference between AJ and non-AJ European control population samples (0.97 s.d. higher, p<10-16). Taken together, the results suggest coordinated selection in AJ population for higher CD risk alleles in general. The results and approach illustrate the value of exome sequencing data in case-control studies along with reference data sets like ExAC (sites VCF available via FTP at ftp.broadinstitute.org/pub/ExAC_release/release0.3/) to pinpoint genetic variation that contributes to variable disease predisposition across populations.

PMID: 29795570 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Novel function of HATs and HDACs in homologous recombination through acetylation of human RAD52 at double-strand break sites.

PLoS Genet. 2018 03;14(3):e1007277

Authors: Yasuda T, Kagawa W, Ogi T, Kato TA, Suzuki T, Dohmae N, Takizawa K, Nakazawa Y, Genet MD, Saotome M, Hama M, Konishi T, Nakajima NI, Hazawa M, Tomita M, Koike M, Noshiro K, Tomiyama K, Obara C, Gotoh T, Ui A, Fujimori A, Nakayama F, Hanaoka F, Sugasawa K, Okayasu R, Jeggo PA, Tajima K

Abstract
The p300 and CBP histone acetyltransferases are recruited to DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites where they induce histone acetylation, thereby influencing the chromatin structure and DNA repair process. Whether p300/CBP at DSB sites also acetylate non-histone proteins, and how their acetylation affects DSB repair, remain unknown. Here we show that p300/CBP acetylate RAD52, a human homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair protein, at DSB sites. Using in vitro acetylated RAD52, we identified 13 potential acetylation sites in RAD52 by a mass spectrometry analysis. An immunofluorescence microscopy analysis revealed that RAD52 acetylation at DSBs sites is counteracted by SIRT2- and SIRT3-mediated deacetylation, and that non-acetylated RAD52 initially accumulates at DSB sites, but dissociates prematurely from them. In the absence of RAD52 acetylation, RAD51, which plays a central role in HR, also dissociates prematurely from DSB sites, and hence HR is impaired. Furthermore, inhibition of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein by siRNA or inhibitor treatment demonstrated that the acetylation of RAD52 at DSB sites is dependent on the ATM protein kinase activity, through the formation of RAD52, p300/CBP, SIRT2, and SIRT3 foci at DSB sites. Our findings clarify the importance of RAD52 acetylation in HR and its underlying mechanism.

PMID: 29590107 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dose-Dependent Effects of Intranasal Insulin on Resting-State Brain Activity.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 01 01;103(1):253-262

Authors: Kullmann S, Veit R, Peter A, Pohmann R, Scheffler K, Häring HU, Fritsche A, Preissl H, Heni M

Abstract
Context: Insulin action in the human brain influences eating behavior, cognition, and whole-body metabolism. Studies investigating brain insulin rely on intranasal application.
Objective: To investigate effects of three doses of insulin and placebo as nasal sprays on the central and autonomous nervous system and analyze absorption of insulin into the bloodstream.
Design, Participants, and Methods: Nine healthy men received placebo or 40 U, 80 U, and 160 U insulin spray in randomized order. Before and after spray, brain activity was assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging, and heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed from electrocardiogram. Plasma insulin, C-peptide, and glucose were measured regularly.
Setting: General community.
Results: Nasal insulin administration dose-dependently modulated regional brain activity and the normalized high-frequency component of the HRV. Post hoc analyses revealed that only 160 U insulin showed a considerable difference from placebo. Dose-dependent spillover of nasal insulin into the bloodstream was detected. The brain response was not correlated with this temporary rise in circulating insulin.
Conclusions: Nasal insulin dose-dependently modulated regional brain activity with the strongest effects after 160 U. However, this dose was accompanied by a transient increase in circulating insulin concentrations due to a spillover into circulation. Our current results may serve as a basis for future studies with nasal insulin to untangle brain insulin effects in health and disease.

PMID: 29095982 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Gαi Proteins are Indispensable for Hearing.

Cell Physiol Biochem. 2018 Jun 21;47(4):1509-1532

Authors: Beer-Hammer S, Lee SC, Mauriac SA, Leiss V, Groh IAM, Novakovic A, Piekorz RP, Bucher K, Chen C, Ni K, Singer W, Harasztosi C, Schimmang T, Zimmermann U, Pfeffer K, Birnbaumer L, Forge A, Montcouquiol M, Knipper M, Nürnberg B, Rüttiger L

Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: From invertebrates to mammals, Gαi proteins act together with their common binding partner Gpsm2 to govern cell polarization and planar organization in virtually any polarized cell. Recently, we demonstrated that Gαi3-deficiency in pre-hearing murine cochleae pointed to a role of Gαi3 for asymmetric migration of the kinocilium as well as the orientation and shape of the stereociliary ("hair") bundle, a requirement for the progression of mature hearing. We found that the lack of Gαi3 impairs stereociliary elongation and hair bundle shape in high-frequency cochlear regions, linked to elevated hearing thresholds for high-frequency sound. How these morphological defects translate into hearing phenotypes is not clear.
METHODS: Here, we studied global and conditional Gnai3 and Gnai2 mouse mutants deficient for either one or both Gαi proteins. Comparative analyses of global versus Foxg1-driven conditional mutants that mainly delete in the inner ear and telencephalon in combination with functional tests were applied to dissect essential and redundant functions of different Gαi isoforms and to assign specific defects to outer or inner hair cells, the auditory nerve, satellite cells or central auditory neurons.
RESULTS: Here we report that lack of Gαi3 but not of the ubiquitously expressed Gαi2 elevates hearing threshold, accompanied by impaired hair bundle elongation and shape in high-frequency cochlear regions. During the crucial reprogramming of the immature inner hair cell (IHC) synapse into a functional sensory synapse of the mature IHC deficiency for Gαi2 or Gαi3 had no impact. In contrast, double-deficiency for Gαi2 and Gαi3 isoforms results in abnormalities along the entire tonotopic axis including profound deafness associated with stereocilia defects. In these mice, postnatal IHC synapse maturation is also impaired. In addition, the analysis of conditional versus global Gαi3-deficient mice revealed that the amplitude of ABR wave IV was disproportionally elevated in comparison to ABR wave I indicating that Gαi3 is selectively involved in generation of neural gain during auditory processing.
CONCLUSION: We propose a so far unrecognized complexity of isoform-specific and overlapping Gαi protein functions particular during final differentiation processes.

PMID: 29940568 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Functional Pharmacogenomics and toxicity of PolyPurine Reverse Hoogsteen hairpins directed against survivin in human cells.

Biochem Pharmacol. 2018 Jun 22;:

Authors: Félix AJ, Ciudad CJ, Noé V

Abstract
PolyPurine Reverse Hoogsteen (PPRH) hairpins constitute a relatively new pharmacological agent for gene silencing that has been applied for a growing number of gene targets. Previously we reported that specific PPRHs against the antiapoptotic gene survivin were able to decrease viability of PC3 prostate cancer cells by increasing apoptosis, while not acting on HUVEC non-tumoral cells. These PPRHs were efficient both in vitro and in vivo. In the present work, we performed a functional pharmacogenomics study on the effects of specific and unspecific hairpins against survivin. Incubation of PC3 cells with the specific HpsPr-C-WT led to 244 differentially expressed genes when applying the p<0.05, FC>2, Benjamini-Hochberg filtering. Importantly, the unspecific or control Hp-WC did not originate differentially expressed genes using the same settings. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed that the differentially expressed genes clustered very significantly within the gene sets of Regulation of cell proliferation, Cellular response to stress, Apoptosis and Prostate cancer. Network analyses using STRING identified important interacting gene-nodes within the response of PC3 cells to treatment with the PPRH against survivin, mainly POLR2G, PAK1IP1, SMC3, SF3A1, PPARGC1A, NCOA6, UGT2B7, ALG5, VAMP7 and HIST1H2BE, the former six present in the Gene Sets detected in the GSEA. Additionally, HepG2 and 786-O cell lines were used to carry out in vitro experiments of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, respectively. The unspecific hairpin did not cause toxicity in cell survival assays (MTT) and produced minor changes in gene expression for selected genes in RT-qPCR arrays specifically developed for hepatic and renal toxicity screening.

PMID: 29940174 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]