Gait instability in patients with small acoustic neuroma

Background  Small acoustic neuromas seldom result in typical vestibular symptoms, despite the tumor arising from the vestibular nerve. In this study, we have shown that abnormal gait in eleven patients with small acoustic neuroma could be detected in gait analysis by the use of tactile sensor. Patients displayed no oculomotor abnormality and had tumors less than 10 mm from the porus acoustics.

Methods  Gait related parameters including the coefficients of variations (CV) of stance, swing, double support, area ratio of trajectories of center of force (TCOF), in addition to the foot pressure difference between both feet, were used for assessment of gait.

Results  The CV of swing and the area ratio of TCOF were greater in patients than those in the control group (P <0.05). The values of these two parameters became greater under an eyes closed condition compared to eyes open (P <0.05) in the patient group.

Conclusion  These results indicate that gait analysis may be helpful to assess vestibulospinal function of patients with small acoustic neuroma, the slight vestibular deficits of which can not be detected by visual observation.

     

Preliminary characterization of acute aortic dissection in the mainland of China

Objective  To explore the differences in the characteristics of acute aortic dissection (AAD) among less and more economically developed countries with various cultures and races.

Data sources  Reports from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) and the mainland of China (MC) were collected by searching the PubMed Database and the Chinese Journal Full-text Database from January 2000 to March 2009.

Study selection  Those reports from IRAD and MC containing larger numbers of cases and complete patients’ information were selected, which focused on concrete issues of diagnosing or managing AAD were excluded if they were not able to reflect the overall characteristics of this condition. And the data from the article containing the largest number patients reported by the same medical center in MC were taken into statistics.

Results  AAD patients from MC were significantly younger than IRAD countries and the percentage of male patients in the Chinese group was higher than IRAD countries (80.7% vs. 68.6%, P <0.001). Patients in MC were less likely to present with typical symptoms and signs except for any focal neurological deficits. Different from the IRAD group, Chinese patients were prone to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to make the diagnosis of AAD (45.5% vs. 11.6%, P <0.001). The in-hospital mortality was similar between 2 groups but only smaller proportion of AAD patients in MC underwent surgical or medical treatment.

Conclusions  The general characteristics of AAD patients in MC were shown and differences in some clinical variables between MC and IRAD groups still existed.

     

Relative performance of two equations for estimation of glomerular filtration rate in a Chinese population having chronic kidney disease

Background  The new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation was developed to address the systematic underestimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation in patients with relatively well-preserved kidney function. Performance of the new equation in the Chinese population is unknown. The goal of the present study was to compare performance of these two equations in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods  We enrolled 450 Chinese patients (239 women and 211 men) with CKD in the present study. The renal dynamic imaging method was used to measure the referenced standard GFR (rGFR) for comparison with estimations using the two equations. Their overall performance was assessed with the Bland-Altman method and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Performance of the two equations in lower and higher estimated GFR (eGFR) subgroups was further investigated.

Results  Both eGFRs correlated well with rGFR (r=0.88, 0.81, P <0.05). In overall performance, the CKD-EPI equation showed less bias, higher precision and improved accuracy, and was better for detecting CKD. In the higher-eGFR subgroup, the CKD-EPI equation corrected the underestimation of GFR by the abbreviated MDRD equation.

Conclusions  The CKD-EPI equation outperformed the abbreviated MDRD equation not only in overall performance but also in the subgroups studied. For the present, the CKD-EPI equation appears to be the first-choice prediction equation for estimating GFR.

     

A single institution, retrospective study of treatment experience in primary mediastinal germ cell tumors: elucidating the significance of systemic chemotherapy

Background  Primary malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) of mediastinum are rare neoplasms. We introduce our institutional experience in managing patients with primary malignant GCTs of the mediastinum, focusing on the analysis of therapeutic modalities.

Methods  A retrospective review was done in 39 consecutive patients with mediastinal malignant GCTs treated in our institution between 1991 and 2007.

Results  A total of 39 patients were enrolled in this study with a median age of 27 years. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the whole population were 60.2% and 57.7%, respectively. Stratified by the histology, 18 patients (46.2%) had seminoma and 21 patients (53.8%) had nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). The 5-year OS rate of patients with seminoma was 87.4% as compared with 36.7% in patients with NSGCTs (P=0.0004). The 5-year PFS rate was also significantly higher in seminoma patients (87.4% vs. 31.6%, P=0.003). For 19 patients with NSGCTs managed with multi-modality treatment, chemotherapy exposure appeared to impact the prognosis. The 5-year OS rate was 44.9% in patients with chemotherapy exposure as compared with 20.0% in patients without it (P=0.43).

Conclusion  Our study confirmed the significance of systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of primary mediastinal GCTs.

     

Rs548234 polymorphism at PRDM1-ATG5 region susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis in Caucasians is not associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese Han population

Background  A previous study has shown that rs548234 polymorphism at PRDM1-ATG5 region is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Caucasian populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rs548234 polymorphism at PRDM1-ATG5 region on susceptibility to RA in Chinese Han population.

Methods  We genotyped 848 RA patients and 1431 matched healthy controls for rs548234 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with a predesigned TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Association analyses were performed on the whole data set and on rheumatoid factors (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) antibody. Finally, we carried out combined analysis of rs548234 association with RA based on the published data.

Results  No significant difference in the genotype distribution between RA patients and healthy controls for rs548234 (C/T) polymorphism was found in Chinese Han population, neither in whole data set nor in stratified subsets, e.g. RF and anti-CCP status. Association analysis in different ethnic groups showed that rs548234 at PRDM1-ATG5 region was associated with RA in Caucasian ancestry but not in East Asian population.

Conclusions  Our results showed no involvement of rs548234 at PRDM1-ATG5 region in the susceptibility or clinical relevance of RA in Chinese Han population.

     

Diagnostic efficiency and complication rate of CT-guided lung biopsy: a single center experience of the procedures conducted over a 10-year period

Background  Computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is a well-established technique for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and complication rate of CT-guided lung biopsy in a Chinese population.

Methods  CT-guided cutting needle lung biopsies were performed in our institution on 1014 patients between January 2000 and October 2010. A chest radiograph was taken after the biopsy. Data about basic patient information, final diagnosis, and complications secondary to biopsy procedure (pneumothorax and bleeding) were extracted.

Results  The diagnostic efficiency of CT-guided lung biopsy was 94.8%; only 53 patients did not get a final diagnosis from lung biopsy. Final diagnoses found 639 malignant lesions (63.0%) and 322 benign lesions (31.8%). Pneumothorax occurred in 131 patients and 15 required insertion of an intercostal drain. Small hemoptysis occurred in 41 patients and mild parenchymal hemorrhage occurred in 16 patients. The overall complication rate was 18.5%.

Conclusions  CT-guided cutting needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions is a relatively safe technique with a high diagnostic accuracy. It can be safely performed in clinical trials.

 

     

Polymorphisms of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene and clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients treated with fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in Chinese population

Background  Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), a key enzyme involved in the catabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is the attractive candidate for pharmacogenetic research on efficacies and toxicities of 5-FU. The aim of this study is to explore the association between polymorphisms of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) and clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients treated with fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in the Chinese population.

Methods  Three hundred and sixty-two patients with gastric cancer in the Chinese population were treated with fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy. The single nucleotide polymorphic genotypes of DPYD were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) using DNA samples isolated from peripheral blood collected before treatment.

Results  The average response rate for chemotherapy was 46.7%. A significantly different distribution of the rs1801159 (c²=8.76, P=0.012) genotypes was observed. Homozygous genotype rs1801159A/A was over-represented in responsive patients. Conversely, carriers of the rs1801159A/G genotype were prevalent in non-responsive patients. In the haplotype association analysis, there was significant difference in global haplotype distribution between the groups (c²=3.96, P=0.0465).

Conclusions  These results suggest that polymorphisms of rs1801159 in DPYD may be used as valuable predictors of the response to fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for gastric cancer patients in the Chinese population. Well-designed, comprehensive, and prospective studies on determining these polymorphisms of DPYD as predictive markers for gastric cancer in response to fluorouracil-based therapies are warranted.

     

Transitional cell carcinoma associated with aristolochic acid nephropathy: most common cancer in chronic hemodialysis patients in China

Background  The research of cancer in patients on hemodialysis (HD) in China has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and histological features and outcomes of cancer in Chinese HD patients.

Methods  The study subjects were 49 cancer patients (1.4%) out of 3448 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients maintained on HD at China-Japan Friendship Hospital from October 1997 to July 2011.

Results  Urinary tract cancer (74%) was the most common followed by gastrointestinal tract cancer (12%), breast cancer (6%), lung cancer (4%), thyroid cancer (2%), and hematologic cancer (2%). Thirty-three patients (67%) had urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and 29 of them had aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) as underlying disease. Death occurred in eight patients out of 49, and the survival rate of HD patients with cancer was similar to those without cancer (P=0.120).

Conclusion  The urinary tract TCC is the most common cancer in HD patients with AAN in one of the centers of northern China.

     

Neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion as a valid model of schizophrenia: evidence from sensory gating study

Background  The neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion (NVHL) rat model has been proposed as an experimental model for schizophrenia. NVHL rats display impaired central nervous system (CNS) inhibition, which may lead to a phenomenon similar to P50 sensory gating deficits observed in schizophrenic patients. In this study, we investigated whether sensory gating deficits occurred in the NVHL rat as a model for schizophrenia.

Methods  We created the NVHL rat model using ibotenate. The P20 and N40 were measured to assess sensory response and gating in NVHL and sham rats. Epidural electrodes recorded evoked potentials (EPs), from which latencies, amplitudes, difference scores (S1–S2), and gating ratios (S2/S1) were assessed.

Results  Compared with sham controls, prolonged S1 N40 latency and decreased S2 N40 amplitude were detected in the NVHL group. In neither difference scores nor gating ratios, a significant difference was found between NVHL group and sham controls.

Conclusions  NVHL rats may be a valid animal model for schizophrenia. This strategy will be useful in future neurobiological studies investigating the etiology of schizophrenia.

     

Changes in serum levels of soluble osteoclast-associated receptor in human rheumatoid arthritis

Background  Osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR) is a member of the newly identified leukocyte receptor complex, and has recently been described as a key molecule in osteoclastogenesis. In this study, we measured the levels of soluble osteoclast-associated receptor (sOSCAR) in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls to examine whether sOSCAR may play a role in the process of inflammatory arthritis.

Methods  Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of sOSCAR in the serum of 40 healthy controls and 40 RA patients.

Results  The serum levels of sOSCAR were significantly lower in RA patients than in healthy controls, and were inversely associated with inflammatory activity.

Conclusion  sOSCAR is decreased in patients with RA and reduced levels of the protein are associated with increased inflammatory response.

     

Proteomic analysis for detecting serum biomarkers related to smoking in humans

Background  Smoking is the leading cause of death in the world. This study focused on the difference of the serum proteomic profiling between healthy smokers and nonsmokers in order to find smoking-specific serum biomarkers.

Methods  Pattern-based proteomic profiling of 100 serum samples (from 50 Chinese male smokers and 50 matched nonsmokers) was performed through magnetic bead fractionation coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis (MALDI-TOF-MS) and resulting data were statistically analyzed by Ciphergen ProteinChip software 3.0.2.

Results  We found 72 serum peaks were significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers (P <0.05). Marker peaks of mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 3159.13, 7561.03 and 9407.32 were smoking-specific.

Conclusion  The preliminary data suggested that smoking-specific serum biomarkers could be detected in humans.

     

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test score correlated with dyspnea score in a large sample of Chinese patients

Background  The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) is an easy to use health-related quality of life questionnaire, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale is a classic dyspnea scale which is widely used, while the correlation between them is still not clear. This study investigated the use of the Chinese translation of CAT in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and its correlation with the mMRC dyspnea scale.

Methods  The multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 329 hospitals throughout China from March 1 to April 30, 2010. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients completed both the assessment test and the dyspnea scale during a single study visit.

Results  Six thousand, four hundred and thirty-seven patients were evaluated; 74.9% were male and the mean age was (64.9±10.0) years. Median test scores in dyspnea grades 0 to 4 were 14, 16, 22, 26 and 32, respectively; these differences were statistically significant. The CAT score was moderately correlated with mMRC dyspnea grade (r=0.579, P <0.001). There was no significant difference in mean CAT score between males and females, and patients of high and low socioeconomic status. Primary analysis suggested that CAT scores were higher in older patients (>65 years) than in younger patients (≤65 years) and increased with duration of formal education, but these findings were repudiated by further analysis of subgroups according to mMRC dyspnea grade.

Conclusions  There was no obvious confounding factor influencing use of the CAT in Chinese patients. CAT scores were moderately correlated with the mMRC dyspnea scale.

     

Expression of interleukin-2 in Candidal balanoposthitis and its clinical significance

Background  Candidal balanoposthitis (CB) is a common male genital infection. Autoimmune mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CB. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important molecule in cell-mediated immunity.

Methods  One hundred and one patients were diagnosed with CB using mycology culture in the dermatology and urology clinics in our hospital. Ninety-four healthy males were randomly selected as controls. We studied serum levels of IL-2 of patients with CB using ELISA and analyzed the correlations between serum IL-2 and clinical data.

Results  Serum IL-2 concentrations in CB patients were significantly lower than that in the control group ((7.80±4.78) vs. (15.44±7.90) ng/L; t=2.27, P <0.05). The incidence of CB in the low-level group was significantly higher than that in the high-level group (70% (71/101) vs. 36% (30/84), P <0.05). Low levels of serum IL-2, comorbidity with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and sexual partners with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) increased the risk of CB.

Conclusion  The pathogenesis of CB is a complex procedure that includes internal autoimmune factors.

     

Congenital quadricuspid aortic valve: analysis of 11 surgical cases

Background  Congenital quadricuspid aortic valve is rarely seen during aortic valve replacement (AVR). The diagnosis and treatment of the disease were reported in 11 cases.

Methods  Eleven patients (nine men and two women, mean age 33.4 years) with quadricuspid aortic valve were retrospectively evaluated. Medical records, echocardiograms and surgical treatment were reviewed.

Results  In accordance with the Hurwitz and Roberts classification, the patients were classified as type A (n=2), type B (n=7), type F (n=1) and type G (n=1). Three patients were associated with other heart diseases, including infective endocarditis and mitral prolaps, left superior vena cava, aortic aneurysm. All had aortic regurgitation (AR) except two with aortic stenosis (AS), detected by color-flow Doppler echocardiography. The congenital quadricuspid aortic valve deformity in seven patients was diagnosed by echocardiography. All patients underwent successful aortic valve replacement.

Conclusion  Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare cause of aortic insufficiency, while echocardiography plays an important role in diagnosing the disease. Aortic valve replacement is the major therapy for the disease.

     

Clinical and histopathologic features of biofilm-associated chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in Chinese patients

Background  Biofilms have given new insights to the understanding of pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, the link between biofilms formation and local inflammatory response remains poorly defined in CRS with nasal polys. The aim of this study was to determine the potential association of the presence of biofilms in the nasal mucosal tissues with clinical features in Chinese patients, which had CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Methods  A total of 19 patients with CRSwNP and 12 patients with non-CRS were subjected to endoscopic surgery and their nasal mucosal tissue specimens were examined histologically and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their demographic and clinical features were recorded.

Results  Thirteen (68.4%) out of the 19 specimens from patients with CRSwNP, but none from control patients, were positive for biofilms that displayed typical characteristics of bacterial and fugal structures. The presence of biofilms in the nasal mucosal tissues was associated with significantly greater values of purulent nasal discharge and preoperative Lund-Kennedy scores, higher levels of serum total IgE and percentages of subjects with endoscopic surgery (ESS) history in patients with CRSwNP, and more severe inflammation in the nasal mucosal tissues of patients with CRSwNP.

Conclusion  Our study demonstrated the presence of biofilms in the nasal mucosal tissues of many patients, contributing to the understanding of the pathogenic process of CRSwNP in Chinese patients.

     

Effect of anxiety and depression on the recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation

Background  The effects of anxiety and depression on the recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) are not clear. Whether CPVA can alleviate the anxiety and depression symptoms of persistent AF patients is unknown.

Methods  One hundred and sixty-four patients with persistent AF, of which 43 treated with CPVA (CPVA group) and 103 treated with anti-arrhythmics drugs (medicine group), were enrolled. The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were assessed before and 12 months after treatment in all patients.

Results  The scores of SAS (40.33±7.90 vs. 49.76±9.52, P <0.01) and SDS (42.33±8.73 vs. 48.17±8.77, P <0.01) decreased 12 months after CPVA. Over 12 months follow-up, AF relapsed in 17 patients in CPVA group. Compared with the data in the recurrent group (17 patients), the scores of SAS and SDS were significantly lower in the non-recurrent group (26 patients) at baseline. The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed normal scores of SAS and SDS were the independent risk factors of AF recurrence after CPVA.

Conclusions  Anxiety and depression increase the recurrence risk of persistent AF after CPVA. CPVA can ameliorate the anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with persistent AF. 

     

Validation of four different risk stratification models in patients undergoing heart valve surgery in a single center in China

Background  Several risk stratification models have been developed for cardiac surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of four existing risk stratification models, the Fuwai System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (FuwaiSCORE), the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac surgery risk model for isolated valve surgery (the STS model), the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) and the initial Parsonnet’s score (the Parsonnet model) in predicting prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

Methods  Data were collected retrospectively from records of 1333 consecutive patients who received heart valve surgery in a single center between November 2006 and December 2007. Prolonged ICU stay was defined as not less than 124 hours. Calibration was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness of fit test. Discrimination was assessed using the receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve area.

Results  The FuwaiSCORE showed good calibration and discrimination compared with other risk models. According to the H-L statistics, the value of the FuwaiSCORE was 12.82, P >0.1. The area under ROC curve of the FuwaiSCORE was 0.81 (95%CI 0.78–0.84).

Conclusions  Our study suggests that the FuwaiSCORE is superior to the other three risk models in predicting prolonged length of ICU stay in Chinese patients with heart valve surgery. Having fewer variables, the system is much easier for bedside use than other systems.

     

Epidermal growth factor receptor genotype in plasma DNA and outcome of chemotherapy in the Chinese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background  The genotype of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor and effectiveness of therapy, but its role in cytotoxic chemotherapy is still unknown. Previous studies indicated that certain EGFR mutations were associated with response and progression free survival following platinum based chemotherapy. Our recent studies have identified that EGFR genotypes in the tumour tissues were not associated with response to the first-line chemotherapy in Chinese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we investigated associations of EGFR genotypes from plasma of patients with advanced NSCLC and response to first-line chemotherapy and prognosis.

Methods  We enrolled 145 advanced NSCLC patients who had received first-line chemotherapy in our department. We examined plasma EGFR genotypes for these patients and associations of EGFR mutations with response to chemotherapy and clinical outcomes.

Results  There were 54 patients with known EGFR mutations and 91 cases of wild types. No significant difference was detected in the response rate to first-line chemotherapy between mutation carriers and wild-type patients (37.0% vs. 31.9%). The median survival time and 1-, 2-year survival rates were higher in mutation carriers than wild-types (24 months vs. 18 months, 85.7% vs. 65.7% and 43.7% vs. 25.9%, P=0.047). Clinical stage (IV vs. IIIb), response to the first-line chemotherapy (partial vs. no) and EGFR genotype were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion  Plasma EGFR mutations in the Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC is not a predictor for the response to first-line chemotherapy, but an independent prognostic factor indicating longer survival.

     

Increase of plasma IgE during treatment correlates with better outcome of patients with glioblastoma

Background  Previous studies have shown that glioma patients have lower blood IgE levels than controls. To evaluate its potential as a surrogate biomarker for glioma, we measured plasma IgE levels in glioma patients and healthy controls, and correlated them with clinicopathological factors and the patients’ outcome.

Methods  We used enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) to determine the plasma IgE levels of 25 normal subjects and 252 glioma patients (85 patients with grade II glioma, 46 patients with grade III glioma, and 121 patients with glioblastoma). We also collected longitudinal plasma samples from glioblastoma patients and compared the plasma IgE levels before operation, one week after operation, in the middle of radiotherapy, after two cycles of chemotherapy, and after recurrence. The correlations between plasma IgE levels and the outcomes of the patients were determined.

Results  Plasma IgE levels were significantly lower in glioma patients (P=0.004); patients with low-grade glioma have lower IgE levels than patients with high-grade glioma do (P=0.029). In 24 patients with both preoperative plasma and two-cycle chemotherapy plasma samples, IgE levels increased after successful removal of the tumor (P=0.021), and the increase correlated with the patients’ survival (increase >100 ng/ml vs. ≤100 ng/ml, 127.5 weeks vs. 62.3 weeks. P=0.012, log-rank). Plasma IgE level increase of >100 ng/ml has a specificity of 80% and a sensitivity of 78% to predict the patients’ long survival (>18 months).

Conclusions  Our results suggest that plasma IgE level correlates with clinical and pathological factors in glioma patients. It has the potential to be a biomarker for glioma patients.

     

Steady-state pharmacokinetics of zidovudine in Chinese HIV-infected patients

Background  The pharmacokinetics of zidovudine (AZT) are possibly influenced by weight, age, sex, liver and renal functions, severity of disease, and ethnicity. Currently, little information is available on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of AZT in Chinese HIV-infected patients. The current study aimed to characterize the steady-state pharmacokinetics of AZT in a Chinese set-up.

Methods  Eleven Chinese HIV-infected patients were involved in the steady-state pharmacokinetic study. In total, 300 mg of AZT, as a part of combination therapy, was given to patients, and serial blood samples were collected for 12 hours. The samples were measured by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay, and the results were analyzed by both the non-compartment model and the one-compartment model.

Results  The C_max of AZT in Chinese patients was higher than that in non-Asian patients. The half-life of AZT, analyzed by the non-compartment model (P=0.02), in male patients ((1.02±0.22) hours) was shorter than that of AZT in female patients ((1.55±0.29) hours). The AZT clearance, analyzed by the one-compartment model (P=0.045), in male patients ((262.60±28.13) L/h) was higher than that in female patients ((195.85±60.51) L/h).

Conclusion  The present study provides valuable information for the clinical practice of AZT-based highly active antiretroviral therapy in a Chinese set-up.