Treatment of the Narcoleptiform Sleep Disorder in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia with Sodium Oxybate

This study investigates the response of the underlying sleep disorder associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) to treatment. We retrospectively reviewed 118 cases clinically consistent with CFS or FM, treated in a neurology practice. Abnormal findings on sleep studies and associated human leukocyte antigen markers, and a clinical pattern suggestive of narcolepsy, are present in a high proportion of patients. When considered appropriate based on the clinical picture and test results, treatment with sodium oxybate was offered to these patients. Sixty percent of patients treated with oxybate experienced significant relief of pain, while 75% experienced significant relief of fatigue. We postulate that the response to oxybate in CFS and FM suggests a disturbance of sleep similar to narcolepsy. These findings support this novel approach to intervention and further research. The inability to distinguish CFS and FM by testing and response to treatment suggests that they may represent variations of the same disorder or may be closely related disorders.     

Efficiency of Sodium Oxybate in Episodic Cluster Headache

We report the case of a 60‐year‐old man suffering from episodic cluster headache treated successfully with sodium oxybate. Sodium oxybate may be a therapeutic option in attacks of episodic cluster headache.     

Safety,Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of a New Formulation of Nemiralisib Administered via a Dry Powder Inhaler to Healthy Individuals

PurposeNemiralisib, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ inhibitor, is being investigated as an immunomodulatory agent with anti-inflammatory properties in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and safety of a new formulation of nemiralisib that contains 0.4% magnesium stearate.MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, healthy individuals received a single dose of 500 or 750 μg of nemiralisib administered via the Ellipta dry powder inhaler (DPI) (n = 6 in each treatment group). Aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) data comparing previous and new formulations were available before the study. Serial PK analyses for plasma exposure and safety assessments were performed during the first 24 h after dosing, with follow-up measurements on days 3 and 6 in clinic.FindingsAPSD had increases of approximately 6-fold and 2-fold in very fine particle mass and fine particle mass over the previous (Diskus) formulation. In humans, systemic exposure (AUC) was greater after inhalation of 750 versus 500 μg of nemiralisib (AUC_0–t: 17,200 h∙pg/mL; 95% CI, 10,900–27,200 h∙pg/mL and 13,100; 95% CI, 8130–21,000 h∙pg/mL, respectively). A low frequency of individual adverse events and no serious adverse events were reported after both doses.ImplicationsAfter single-dose inhalation of 500 and 750 μg of nemiralisib from the Ellipta DPI in healthy individuals, plasma PK data were well defined, and as predicted based on previous PK and APSD data, exposure was increased with the new formulation. Nemiralisib was well tolerated with no new safety issues identified. These data supported progression of nemiralisib to a Phase IIb study in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03189589.     

Pharmacokinetics of a Novel Sublingual Spray Formulation of the Antimalarial Drug Artemether in Healthy Adults

The pharmacokinetics of sublingual artemether (ArTiMist) was investigated in two open-label studies. In study 1, 16 healthy males were randomized to each of four single-dose treatments administered in random order: (i) 15.0 mg of sublingual artemether (5 × 3.0 actuations), (ii) 30.0 mg of sublingual artemether (10 × 3.0 mg), (iii) 30.0 mg of sublingual artemether (5 × 6.0 mg), and (iv) 30.0 mg of artemether in tablet form. In study 2, 16 healthy males were randomized to eight 30.0-mg doses of sublingual artemether given over 5 days as either 10 3.0-mg or 5 6.0-mg actuations. Frequent blood samples were drawn postdose. Plasma artemether and dihydroartemisinin levels were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Population compartmental pharmacokinetic models were developed. In study 1, sublingual artemether absorption was biphasic, with both rate constants being greater than that of the artemether tablets (1.46 and 1.66 versus 0.43/h, respectively). Relative to the tablets, sublingual artemether had greater bioavailability (≥1.24), with the greatest relative bioavailability occurring in the 30.0-mg dose groups (≥1.58). In study 2, there was evidence that the first absorption phase accounted for between 32% and 69% of the total dose and avoided first-pass (FP) metabolism, with an increase in FP metabolism occurring in later versus earlier doses but with no difference in bioavailability between the dose actuations. Sublingual artemether is more rapidly and completely absorbed than are equivalent doses of artemether tablets in healthy adults. Its disposition appears to be complex, with two absorption phases, the first representing pregastrointestinal absorption, as well as dose-dependent bioavailability and autoinduction of metabolism with multiple dosing.     

硫普罗宁钠治疗急慢性肝炎的随机、双盲模拟、平行对照的临床研究

目的：评价硫普罗宁钠治疗急慢性肝炎的有效性与安全性。方法：采用随机、双盲模拟、阳性药平行对照试验方法。硫普罗宁钠200 mg静滴Qd,对照组用凯西莱（硫普罗宁）200 mg静滴Qd。疗程均为4周,停药后随访4周。结果：共治疗急性肝炎患者7例,慢性肝炎患者18例。急性肝炎组：试验组与对照组4周末ALT下降率分别为69.14±39.23%及68.23±45.12%,试验组显效率33.33%,总有效率100%,对照组显效率25%,总有效率100%,两组疗效比较无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。慢性肝炎组：试验组与对照组4周末ALT下降率分别为44.34±53.41%及35.01±74.67%,试验组显效率22.22%,总有效率77.78%,对照组显效率11.11%,总有效率66.67%,两组疗效比较无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。急性肝炎组未见不良反应,慢性肝炎组中试验组及对照组不良反应发生率均为5.00%。结论：硫普罗宁钠具有保肝降酶作用,临床上用于治疗急慢性肝炎患者安全有效。     

Effects of Hydrochlorothiazide on the Pharmacokinetics,Pharmacodynamics, and Tolerability of Canagliflozin,a Sodium Glucose Co-transporter 2 Inhibitor,in Healthy Participants

Background

Many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) also have hypertension, which is commonly treated with thiazide diuretics, including hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Canagliflozin, a sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor developed for the treatment of T2DM, lowers plasma glucose by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption, thereby increasing urinary glucose excretion and mild osmotic diuresis. Because patients with T2DM are likely to receive concurrent canagliflozin and HCTZ, potential interactions were evaluated.

Objective

This study evaluated the effects of HCTZ on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and tolerability of canagliflozin in healthy participants.

Methods

This Phase I, single-center, open-label, fixed-sequence, 2-period study was conducted in healthy participants. During period 1, participants received canagliflozin 300 mg once daily for 7 days, followed by a 14-day washout period. During period 2, participants received HCTZ 25 mg once daily for 28 days, followed by canagliflozin 300 mg + HCTZ 25 mg once daily for 7 days. Blood samples were taken before and several times after administration on day 7 of period 1 and on days 28 and 35 of period 2 for canagliflozin and HCTZ pharmacokinetic analyses using LC-MS/MS. Blood and urine samples were collected for up to 24 hours after canagliflozin administration on day 1 of period 1 and day 35 of period 2 for pharmacodynamic glucose assessment. Tolerability was also evaluated.

Results

Thirty participants were enrolled (16 men, 14 women; all white; mean age, 43.7 years). Canagliflozin AUC during a dosing interval (T) at steady state (AUC_τ,ss) and C_max at steady state (C_max,ss) were increased when canagliflozin was coadministered with HCTZ, with geometric mean ratios (90% CI) of 1.12 (1.08–1.17) and 1.15 (1.06–1.25), respectively. AUC_τ,ss and C_max,ss for HCTZ were similar with and without canagliflozin coadministration. The 24-hour mean renal threshold for glucose and mean plasma glucose were comparable for canagliflozin alone and coadministered with HCTZ. The change in 24-hour urine volume from baseline was −0.1 L with canagliflozin alone and 0.4 L with HCTZ alone and with canagliflozin + HCTZ. The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was higher with canagliflozin + HCTZ (69%) than with canagliflozin (47%) or HCTZ (50%) alone; most AEs were of mild severity. Overall, minimal changes in serum electrolytes (eg, sodium, potassium) were observed after coadministration of canagliflozin + HCTZ compared with individual treatments.

Conclusions

Adding canagliflozin treatment to healthy participants on HCTZ treatment had no notable pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic effects; canagliflozin coadministered with HCTZ was generally well tolerated, with no unexpected tolerability concerns. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01294631.     

Cardiac Repolarization With Gabapentin Enacarbil in a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo- and Active-Controlled,Crossover Thorough QT/QTc Study in Healthy Adults

Background

Gabapentin enacarbil (GEn) is a prodrug of gabapentin and is approved in the United States in adults for the management of postherpetic neuralgia and in the United States and Japan for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary restless legs syndrome.

Objective

This study examined the lack of effect of GEn on cardiac repolarization in accordance with International Conference on Harmonisation E14 guidance.

Methods

This was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo- and active- controlled, crossover study in healthy adults (age range, 18–50 years). Study participants received the following in randomized order with a minimum 7-day washout period between treatments: placebo at 0 hours and GEn 1200 mg at 2 hours (GEn 1200 mg group), placebo at 0 hours and GEn 6000 mg at 2 hours (GEn 6000 mg group), placebo at 0 and 2 hours (placebo group), moxifloxacin 400 mg (active control group) at 0 hours, and placebo at 2 hours (moxifloxacin group). Dose offsetting permitted moxifloxacin to be administered in the fasted state and GEn to be administered in the fed state. Assessments included continuous ECG monitoring, pharmacokinetic parameters, and safety and tolerability profiles. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the Fridericia corrected QT interval, at each time point, for the GEn 6000 mg and placebo groups.

Results

Of 52 adults enrolled (mean [SD] age, 30.8 [8.55] years; 50% women), 44 adults (85%) completed the study. Forty-nine adults received GEn 1200 mg, 47 received GEn 6000 mg, 48 received placebo, and 47 received moxifloxacin. The highest estimated (upper limit of the 95% CI) model-adjusted difference in mean change from baseline in the Fridericia corrected QT interval between GEn and placebo was 3.55 (5.66) msec for 1200 mg and 1.20 (3.32) msec for 6000 mg. Assay sensitivity was confirmed with moxifloxacin 400 mg. The geometric mean (%CV) C_max (between-subject coefficient of variation) was 7.49 (21.2) μg/mL for GEn 1200 mg, 32.46 (23.9) μg/mL for GEn 6000 mg, and 2.08 (24.5) μg/mL for moxifloxacin 400 mg. The most frequently reported adverse events with GEn 6000 mg were dizziness (30%), feeling drunk (26%), nausea (15%), headache (13%), and vomiting (13%).

Conclusion

Single doses of GEn, up to 6000 mg, had no effect on cardiac repolarization in this thorough-QT study and are unlikely to cause clinically relevant QT prolongation in clinical use. Assay sensitivity was confirmed with moxifloxacin as an active control. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01516372.     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of Chf197, a ligustrazine derivative,in rats

Ligustrazine is the most abundant and bioactive ingredient in Rhizoma Chuanxiong, a Chinese medicinal herb commonly used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Chf197 is one of the structurally modified ligustrazine derivatives in a purpose of overcoming the rapid metabolism and short half‐life of original. The plasma and urine pharmacokinetics of Chf197 in rats were studied after intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of Chf197 with the validated RP‐HPLC method. The pharmacokinetic parameters of Chf197 injected intravenously 20 mg/kg were as follows: C_max, 1.44 ± 0.4 mg/L; T_max, 0.08 h; t_1/2, 3.03 ± 1.67 h; AUC, 3.85 ± 3.88 h/L; V_d, 31.66 ± 11.79L/kg; and CL, 9.29 ± 4.92 l/h/kg. Dose‐dependent pharmacokinetics was observed, and a significantly higher dose‐normalized AUC after intravenous administration was obtained than that after intraperitoneal administration. A possible metabolite was detected at about 3.1 min, and full‐scan mass spectrum was adopted to predict its possible structure.     

Pharmacokinetics of Empagliflozin, a Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitor, Coadministered with Sitagliptin in Healthy Volunteers

Introduction

This randomized, open-label, crossover study investigated potential drug-drug interactions between the sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor empagliflozin and the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin. Empagliflozin is a potent and selective SGLT-2 inhibitor that lowers blood glucose levels by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption, leading to an increase in urinary glucose excretion. Sitagliptin lowers blood glucose through an insulin-dependent mechanism of action.

Methods

Sixteen healthy male volunteers received three treatments (A, B, C) in one of two treatment sequences (AB then C, or C then AB). In treatment AB, 50 mg empagliflozin was administered once daily (q.d.) for 5 days (treatment A), immediately followed by coadministration of 50 mg empagliflozin q.d. and 100 mg sitagliptin q.d. over 5 days (treatment B). In treatment C, 100 mg sitagliptin was administered q.d. for 5 days. A washout period of ≥7 days separated treatments AB and C.

Results

Coadministration of sitagliptin with empagliflozin did not have a clinically relevant effect on the area under the concentration-time curve of the analyte in plasma at steady state over a uniform dosing interval τ (AUC_τ,ss) (geometric mean ratio [GMR] 110.4; 90% confidence interval [CI] 103.9, 117.3) or maximum measured concentration of the analyte in plasma at steady state over a uniform dosing interval τ (C _max,ss) (GMR 107.6; 90% CI 97.0, 119.4) of empagliflozin. Coadministration of empagliflozin with sitagliptin did not have a clinically meaningful effect on the AUC_τ,ss (GMR 103.1; 90% CI 98.9, 107.3) or C _max,ss (GMR 108.5; 90% CI 100.7, 116.9) of sitagliptin. Empagliflozin and sitagliptin were well tolerated when given alone or in combination. Five subjects (31.3%) reported at least one adverse event (AE): three (18.8%) experienced an AE while receiving empagliflozin monotherapy and three (18.8%) while receiving sitagliptin monotherapy. No adverse events were reported during the coadministration period. No AEs were regarded as drug-related by the investigator.

Conclusion

These results indicate that empagliflozin and sitagliptin can be coadministered without dose adjustments.     

Pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of phenobarbital in neonates and young infants,a population pharmacokinetic modelling approach

Phenobarbital is widely used for treatment of neonatal seizures. Its optimal use in neonates and young infants requires information regarding pharmacokinetics. The objective of this study is to characterize the absolute bioavailability of phenobarbital in neonates and young infants, a pharmacokinetic parameter which has not yet been investigated. Routine clinical pharmacokinetic data were retrospectively collected from 48 neonates and infants (weight: 0.7–10 kg; patient's postnatal age: 0–206 days; GA: 27–42 weeks) treated with phenobarbital, who were administered as intravenous or suspension by oral routes and hospitalized in a paediatric intensive care unit. Total mean dose of 4.6 mg/kg (3.1–10.6 mg/kg) per day was administered by 30‐min infusion or by oral route. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a nonlinear mixed‐effect population model software). Data were modelled with an allometric pharmacokinetic model, using three‐fourths scaling exponent for clearance (CL). The population typical mean [per cent relative standard error (%RSE)] values for CL, apparent volume of distribution (V_d) and bioavailability (F) were 0.0054 L/H/kg (7%), 0.64 L/kg (15%) and 48.9% (22%), respectively. The interindividual variability of CL, V_d, F (%RSE) and residual variability (%RSE) was 17% (31%), 50% (27%), 39% (27%) and 7.2 mg/L (29%), respectively. The absolute bioavailability of phenobarbital in neonates and infants was estimated. The dose should be increased when switching from intravenous to oral administration.     

Safety,Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics,and Pharmacodynamics of SPH3127: A Phase I,Randomized, Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

PurposeTo evaluate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability of single- and multiple-dose SPH3127 in healthy individuals.MethodsThis was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase I dose-escalation study.FindingsSPH3127 exposure, expressed as C_max, AUC_0–t, and AUC_0–∞, was proportionally increased with dose for a range of 25–800 mg (single ascending dose [SAD]) and 100–400 mg daily (multiple ascending doses [MADs]). In an SAD, the C_max values with 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg of SPH3127 were 90.67, 344.50, 523.50, 1239.50, 2445.00, and 5753.33 ng/mL, respectively. The corresponding AUC_0–t values were 294.48, 843.62, 1109.33, 2858.56, 6697.50, and 13057.83 h × ng/mL. In MADs, after the first dose of SPH3127, the C_max values with 100, 200, and 400 mg of SPH3127 were 421.50, 969.00, and 2468.33 ng/mL, respectively. The corresponding AUC_0–t values were 1279.28, 2275.77, and 5934.26 h × ng/mL. At steady state, the C_max values with 100, 200, and 400 mg of SPH3127 were 514.67, 1419.17, and 2513.33 ng/mL, respectively. The corresponding AUC_0–24 values were 1638.14, 3096.20, and 7577.70 h × ng/mL. The median T_max range from 0.33 to 1.0 h and the median t_1/2 from 3 to 4 h. In an SAD, when the dose was >100 mg, plasma renin activity inhibition of up to 90% lasted up to 24 h. In MADs, renin activity was continuously inhibited by up to 90% in each group for 24 h after the last administration. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were reported in 29.2% of individuals receiving the SAD and 33.3% of those receiving MADs. Only mild adverse events occurred.ImplicationsSPH3127 was well tolerated and had robust and sustained suppression of plasma renin activity.Clinicaltrials.gov identifiersNCT03128138 (SAD study) and NCT03255993 (MAD study).     

Pharmacokinetics of a New,Once-Daily,Sustained-release Pregabalin Tablet in Healthy Male Volunteers

PurposeA new sustained-release (SR) pregabalin formulation (YHD1119) designed for once-daily dosing has recently been developed to improve patient adherence. This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics of pregabalin SR and immediate-release (IR) formulations after multiple oral doses and to assess the effect of food on the pharmacokinetic profile of the pregabalin SR formulation after a single dose in healthy individuals.MethodsTwo clinical trials were conducted: a randomized, open-label, multiple-dose, 2-treatment, 2-period crossover study to evaluate the steady-state pharmacokinetic properties of SR treatment (pregabalin SR 300 mg once daily for 3 days) and IR treatment (pregabalin IR 150 mg twice daily for 3 days) under fed conditions and a randomized, open-label, single-dose, 2-treatment, 2-period, crossover study to evaluate the effect of food intake on the pharmacokinetic properties of the pregabalin SR formulation. Plasma concentrations of pregabalin were measured using LC-MS/MS. The AUC and C_max for pregabalin were calculated using noncompartmental method and compared between treatments in each study.FindingsThirty-one individuals in the bioequivalence study and 23 in the food effect study completed the pharmacokinetic sampling. The geometric mean ratios of C_max,ss and AUC_0–τ between the SR and IR formulations were 1.1642 (90% CI, 1.1043–1.2272) and 0.9704 (90% CI, 0.9372–1.0047), respectively. The geometric mean ratios of C_max and AUC_0–last between the SR formulation in the fed state and in the fasted state were 1.6514 (90% CI, 1.3820-1.9732) and 1.7899 (90%CI, 1.4499-2.2097), respectively.ImplicationsThe bioavailability of the pregabalin SR 300 mg formulation is increased if taken with a high-fat meal. Once-daily pregabalin SR 300 mg is bioequivalent to twice-daily pregabalin IR 150 mg under fed conditions at steady state. The pregabalin SR formulation is expected to improve patient adherence. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT02783183 (bioequivalence study) and NCT03191136 (food effect study).     

Single-Dose,Randomized Crossover Comparisons of Different-Strength Imatinib Mesylate Formulations in Healthy Korean Male Subjects

Background

Imatinib mesylate is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of 2 different strengths of the imatinib formulation containing 100 mg (reference) and 400 mg (test) to satisfy the regulatory requirement for marketing.

Methods

A single-center, randomized, single-dose, open-label, 2-period, 2-sequence, comparative crossover study with a 14-day washout period was conducted in 30 healthy male volunteers. Plasma samples for the drug analysis were collected up to 72 hours after drug treatment. Participants received either the reference (4 tablets of 100-mg imatinib) or the test (1 tablet of 400-mg imatinib) formulation during the first period and the alternative formulation during the second period. The safety profiles and tolerability of the 2 formulations were also assessed based on physical examinations, laboratory tests, a 12-lead ECG, and vital signs.

Results

Thirty participants were initially enrolled; their mean (SD) age, height, weight, and body mass index were 24.9 (2.0) years (range, 23–30 years), 174 (5) cm (range, 164–185 cm), 69.9 (2.0) kg (range, 54.1–87.4 kg), and 23.0 (2.0) kg/m² (range, 18.5–26.9 kg/m²); 28 healthy participants completed both treatment periods. Two subjects did not complete the study because they withdrew consent for personal reasons. The observed mean (SD) C_max, AUC_0–last, and AUC_0–∞ values for the reference formulation were 1792 (357) ng/mL, 28,485 (6274) ng · h/mL, and 29,079 (6371) ng · h/mL, respectively. Corresponding values for the test formulation were 1710 (312) ng/mL, 27,222 (4624) ng · h/mL , and 27,872 (4751) ng · h/mL. The geometric mean ratios (90% CIs) between the 2 formulations at the 400-mg dose of imatinib were 0.9579 (0.9054–1.0136) for C_max, 0.9652 (0.9174–1.0155) for AUC_0–last, and 0.9679 (0.9203–1.0179) for AUC_0–∞, respectively. During the study period, 6 adverse events (3 for the reference and 3 for the test formulation) were reported; all were transient, mild, and resolved completely during the treatment period. There were 4 cases of nausea and 1 case each of dizziness and oropharyngeal pain. Four adverse events were considered related to the study drugs.

Conclusions

The results showed that despite the different strengths of the 2 imatinib formations, the test and reference formulations both met the regulatory criteria for pharmacokinetic equivalence at a dose of imatinib 400 mg in these healthy Korean male subjects. Both imatinib formulations seemed to be generally well tolerated. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01270984.     

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Sodium Benzoate,a d-Amino Acid Oxidase (DAAO) Inhibitor,in Healthy Subjects: A Phase I,Open-label Study

PurposeN-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated neurotransmission plays a critical role in cognition and memory, and d-serine is a co-agonist of the receptor. d-serine is metabolized by d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO). Sodium benzoate is a DAAO inhibitor that leads to the elevation of d-serine levels and enhances NMDAR functions as a therapeutic for wide-spectrum central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including schizophrenia and dementia. For therapeutic application of sodium benzoate in CNS disorders, we conducted a Phase I study to evaluate its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile after single-dose oral administration in healthy volunteers. In contrast to the accumulation in the CNS, sodium benzoate has a rapid pharmacokinetic profile when measured peripherally.MethodsIn this Phase I study, subjects were randomized into 4 different dose groups after a single oral administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters of sodium benzoate were assessed after exposure to 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg of sodium benzoate. All adverse events were investigated and recorded.FindingsThe C_max and AUC of sodium benzoate exhibited a higher than dose-proportional increase within the dose range from 250 to 2000 mg under fasting conditions. The slopes were 1.78 and 2.61 and the 90% CIs were 1.41 to 2.15 and 2.20 to 3.03 for C_max and AUC, respectively. Sodium benzoate was absorbed and converted to benzoic acid rapidly, reaching C_max after ～0.5 hour and elimination t_1/2 after ～0.3 hour. No subjects reported adverse events that were sodium benzoate related.ImplicationsThe nonlinear pharmacokinetic response was observed within the dose range up to 2000 mg. Sodium benzoate treatment exhibited a favorable safety profile and was well tolerated at all dose levels. The study results serve as a foundation that should be useful for investigating efficacy and safety in the drug's subsequent clinical development. Trial registration: TFDA-103607047.     

β-7叶皂苷钠静脉注射致兔外周静脉周围组织损伤干预的研究

目的 探讨β-7叶皂苷钠所致静脉炎的干预措施。方法 经兔耳静脉静推稀释7-叶皂苷钠,制成静脉炎模型后,将9只健康新西兰大白兔,随机分成3组,分别采用临床常用的2种干预方法对实验动物进行干预,每天肉眼观察,并在第5天取组织行光镜观察。结果 热敷组效果较好,硫酸镁湿敷组与未干预组组织愈合较慢。结论 β-7叶皂苷钠所致静脉炎(无水肿)或周围组织损伤可首选热敷法。     

Tolerability,Safety, Pharmacokinetics,and Pharmacodynamics of SY-004, a Glucokinase Activator,in Healthy Chinese Adults: A Randomized,Phase Ia,Single-Ascending Dose Study

PurposeSY-004, a dual-acting full glucokinase activator, is under development to provide a dose-dependent improvement of glucose control. This study aimed to assess the tolerability, safety, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of SY-004 in healthy Chinese adults.MethodsTwo study participants were administered 2 mg of SY-004 in the 2-mg cohort, whereas 6 study participants were randomized with 4 study participants receiving SY-004 and 2 receiving placebo in the 20-mg cohort. In each of other 3 dose cohorts (40, 80, and 120 mg), 12 participants were randomized in a 10:2 ratio to receive single oral SY-004 capsules or placebos. Drug concentrations, glucose and insulin levels, and safety data were assessed and analyzed. Noncompartmental analysis was used to determine SY-004 pharmacokinetic parameters.FindingsSY-004 was generally well tolerated. Nine of the 44 study participants reported 17 treatment-related adverse events, and most treatment-related adverse events were mild. SY-004 had approximately dose-proportional increases in systemic exposure. The mean t_½ ranged from 37.6 to 49.9 hours, and CL/F values ranged from 67.1 to 110 L/h across all doses. The cumulative amounts of the unchanged drug excreted in urine were very low, accounting for no more than 1.53% of the given doses. No significant difference in sex was observed in pharmacokinetic parameters. The pharmacodynamic response appeared to slightly correlate with dose.ImplicationsSY-004, a new potential glucokinase activator, had favorable safety profiles and good PK characteristics. The glucose-lowering effects were slightly dose related. The SY-004 data in healthy Chinese adults supports further development. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03171623.     

Intrapulmonary Pharmacokinetics of S-013420, a Novel Bicyclolide Antibacterial,in Healthy Japanese Subjects

S-013420 (EDP-420) is a novel bicyclolide (bridged bicyclic macrolide) antibacterial currently under development for the treatment of respiratory tract infections. The objective of the present study was to determine the plasma and intrapulmonary pharmacokinetic parameters of orally administered S-013420 in healthy volunteers. Twenty-eight healthy Japanese male subjects who never smoked were randomly allocated to seven groups of four subjects each who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at different times after dosing (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 24 h). Blood samples were also taken at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after dosing. The S-013420 concentrations in plasma, epithelial lining fluid (ELF), and alveolar macrophages (AMs) were measured by using a combined high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric technique. A pharmacokinetic analysis of the plasma, ELF, and AM S-013420 concentration profiles was performed. S-013420 was rapidly absorbed in plasma, and the mean time to the maximum concentration in plasma was 2.27 h. S-013420 was rapidly distributed to the ELF and was slowly distributed to AMs. The areas under the concentration-time curves from time zero to 24 h (AUC_0-24) for S-013420 were 20.3 times higher in ELF than in plasma and 244.6 times higher in AMs than in plasma. The mean maximum concentration in plasma was higher in ELF than in plasma and was much higher in AM than in plasma. Furthermore, pharmacodynamic calculations were done by using the AUC_0-24/MIC₉₀ ratio for common pneumonia pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis). The AUC_0-24 for plasma/MIC₉₀s for these four organisms were 41.8, 83.6, 1.3, and 20.9, respectively. The AUC_0-24 for ELF/MIC₉₀s were 849.6, 1,699.2, 26.6, and 424.8, respectively. Considering the good efficacy shown in a subsequent phase 2 study (S. Kohno, K. Yamaguchi, Y. Tanigawara, A. Watanabe, A. Aoki, Y. Niki, and J. Fujita, Abstr. 47th Intersci. Conf. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., abstr. L-485), the good distribution of S-013420 in AMs and ELF observed in the present study is predictive of the good efficacy of S-013420 against respiratory pathogens.During the development of antibacterial agents, knowledge of the drug concentrations in infected lesions is important for predicting the effectiveness of antimicrobial chemotherapy. In order to support the use of a drug for clinical indications such as respiratory tract infections, the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) technique can be utilized to investigate the distribution of the drug in the lungs of humans. The BAL technique allows measurement of the concentration of drug both in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) and within alveolar macrophages (AMs). Measurement of the latter is especially important for macrolides, which can accumulate intracellularly at high concentrations.Several investigations measuring the distributions of clarithromycin (CAM) (10, 11, 13, 15), azithromycin (AZM) (11, 13, 15, 20), and telithromycin (TEL) (5, 12) in the lungs of healthy subjects have been reported. Those studies have shown that macrolides have high degrees of distribution in ELF and AMs.S-013420 (EDP-420) is a novel bicyclolide (bridged bicyclic macrolide) antibacterial and has been shown to have potent activity against various pathogens. It is notable that the drug has strong activity against multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, including penicillin G- and erythromycin-resistant strains, which have become a worldwide public health problem (4).The spectrum of activity of S-013420 covers both common and atypical respiratory pathogens. Maki et al. (8) showed that S-013420 has in vitro activity against S. pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MIC₉₀s ≤ 0.063 to 0.25 μg/ml). This activity was greater than the activities of CAM and AZM (MIC₉₀s = 1 to >64 μg/ml) and comparable to the activity of TEL. The anti-Haemophilus influenzae activity of S-013420 (MIC₉₀ = 8 μg/ml) was comparable to that of CAM and less than that of TEL (MIC₉₀ = 4 μg/ml). Tsuji et al. investigated the in vivo activity of S-013420 against experimental animal infection models (18). In an animal model of infection with erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae, S-013420 was more effective than CAM and AZM and was as effective as TEL. S-013420 (30 mg/kg of body weight) reduced the number of viable cells of a strain of H. influenzae to the same extent that CAM did.In general, ketolide analogues such as TEL are well known to have a low potential to induce resistance. S-013420 has also been demonstrated to have a low potential to induce resistance (19). These excellent antibacterial characteristics of S-013420 are the result of the inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to two sites in domain V and one site in domain II, a total of three sites, of the 23S rRNA for the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.For macrolide antibiotics, the ratio of area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) to the MIC, calculated by pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis, is well-known to correlate with efficacy against infections (3). The AUC for ELF/MIC is the most favorable parameter for predicting the ability of macrolides to eradicate respiratory pathogens.In the present study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of S-013420, including its lung distribution, using BAL multiple times for up to 24 h after the administration of a single oral dose of a S-013420 suspension to healthy volunteers. By means of in vitro PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling with an H. influenzae strain (MIC = 8 μg/ml), the AUC from time zero to 24 h (AUC_0-24)/MIC required to achieve 90% maximum bactericidal activity was calculated in order to predict the appropriate dosages for use in a subsequent phase 2 clinical trial (7).