Clearing hepatitis C virus with direct antiviral agents reduces cardiovascular events in patients with prediabetes. Commentary to Sasso and colleagues

Liver health is a key determinant of cardiovascular risk (CVR). Hepatic fibrosis is the shared common result of chronic hepatitis, irrespective of aetiology. Fibrosis profoundly distorts liver tissue architecture and perturbs hepatic physiology, dictates the course of chronic liver disease and is increasingly recognized as a CVR factor. The relative weights of pre-diabetes and hepatic fibrosis as risk factors for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with HCV remain an open issue. Sasso and Colleagues answered this research question by treating approximately half of 770 HCV positive pre-diabetic patients with direct antiviral agents (DAAs), while the rest served as historical controls. Data have shown that achieving HCV clearance with DAAs was associated with a 60% reduced risk of MACE, thereby implying that this antiviral strategy is recommended in HCV positive pre-diabetic patients, regardless of the severity of liver disease and concurrent CVR factors. This study paves the way for additional studies addressing the molecular patho-mechanisms and changes in the clinical spectrum involved in cardio-metabolic protection following HCV eradication in patients with pre-diabetes.     

Total Hip Arthroplasty in Ankylosing Spondylitis With Extension Contracture of Hips

Background

Despite significant pain relief following total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, a small subset of patients presenting with extra-articular extension contracture of hips remains unsatisfied.

Bioequivalence and Food Effect of Dapagliflozin/Saxagliptin/Metformin Extended-release Fixed-combination Drug Products Compared With Coadministration of the Individual Components in Healthy Subjects

PurposeFixed-combination drug products (FCDPs) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may show efficacy comparable to their individual components (ICs) while improving adherence to treatment. This study evaluated the bioequivalence and safety of 2 dapagliflozin/saxagliptin/metformin extended-release (XR) FCDPs relative to their ICs: saxagliptin and dapagliflozin/metformin XR.MethodsThis randomized, open-label, single-dose, single-center crossover study was conducted in 84 healthy subjects aged 18–55 years. The primary objective was to evaluate the fed-state bioequivalence of a dapagliflozin 5-mg/saxagliptin 2.5-mg/metformin 1000-mg XR FCDP and a dapagliflozin 10-mg/saxagliptin 5-mg/metformin 1000-mg XR FCDP relative to the ICs. Secondary objectives included the evaluation of the effect of food on the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of saxagliptin, dapagliflozin, and metformin in both FCDPs and characterization of the PK parameters of the active metabolite of saxagliptin, 5-hydroxy saxagliptin, in healthy subjects. PK parameters (AUC_0–∞, AUC_0–t, and C_max) were used to assess the bioequivalence of the 2 FCDPs with their ICs. The C_max and AUC_0–t of the study drugs were compared between female and male subjects to assess sex differences in exposure. Safety and tolerability of both FCDPs and ICs were also assessed with adverse events, vital signs (systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rate), 12-lead ECG, physical examinations, and laboratory assessments.FindingsBoth dapagliflozin/saxagliptin/metformin XR FCDPs were bioequivalent to their ICs. For the dapagliflozin 5-mg/saxagliptin 2.5-mg/metformin 1000-mg XR FCDP, the 90% CI for the geometric mean ratio of dapagliflozin C_max was slightly above the 80%–125% bioequivalence limit, which is unlikely to be clinically relevant. Food delayed the absorption of the study drugs in both FCDPs, which is unlikely to have a clinically relevant impact on efficacy. In both cohorts, exposure was higher in female subjects compared with male subjects, potentially due to the lower body weight of the female subjects. The safety profile and tolerability of the FCDPs were similar to those of their ICs, and no deaths or serious adverse events were reported.ImplicationsThese data support the use of the dapagliflozin/saxagliptin/metformin XR FCDP in patients with T2DM. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03169959.     

Spontaneous Intracranial and Lumbar Subdural Hematoma Presenting as Vaginal Pain

Background

Spontaneous spinal and intracranial subdural hematomas are rarely reported, especially occurring simultaneously. Anticoagulation use has been associated with spontaneous hemorrhages. Prompt diagnosis is required to prevent permanent neurological sequelae. In this case report, we describe a spontaneous spinal and intracranial subdural hematoma in a woman taking warfarin and initially presenting with severe vaginal pain.

孕激素类药物对妊娠期糖尿病的影响

孕激素类药物在临床应用非常广泛，非妊娠期可用于避孕、治疗子宫内膜异位症、调理月经等妇科疾病，妊娠期使用主要用于黄体支持治疗、预防和治疗先兆流产以及预防和治疗早产。孕激素在我国应用于孕早期保胎非常普遍且呈滥用趋势，近年有研究发现孕激素在孕期的使用可能导致妊娠期糖尿病的发生。本文从孕激素的分类、孕激素在妊娠期的使用与妊娠期糖尿病的相关性及孕激素导致妊娠期糖尿病发生的可能机制等方面对孕激素在妊娠期的使用对妊娠期糖尿病的影响做一综述，为临床在妊娠期合理使用孕激素类药物提供参考。     

香连胃漂浮片的制备及体外释放研究

目的制备香连胃漂浮片并考察其体外释放性能。方法以羟丙基甲基纤维素K4M(hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M,HPMC-K4M)、十六醇、碳酸氢钠(NaHCO3)、乳糖、聚维酮K30(povidone K30,PVP-K30)、硬脂酸镁为辅料,采用粉末压片法制备香连胃漂浮片;以盐酸小檗碱的累积释放度为指标考察制剂的体外释药性能;采用正交试验对HPMC-K4M、十六醇、NaHCO3用量进行优选。通过数据拟合方程探讨制剂中盐酸小檗碱、木香烃内酯的释药机制。结果最优处方为香连复方提取物60.0 g、HPMC-K4M30.0 g、十六醇8.0 g、NaHCO38.0 g、乳糖8.0 g、PVP-K304.8 g、硬脂酸镁1.2 g(200片量)。指标成分盐酸小檗碱和木香烃内酯的体外释药特性均符合Riger Peppas模型,为扩散与骨架溶蚀协同作用。结论成功制得香连胃漂浮片,漂浮滞后时间短,持续漂浮时间长,且具有缓释特性。