Gender differences in the adverse events associated with cardiovascular drugs in a spontaneous reporting system in South Korea

Background Studies on disease-related gender differences in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are prevalent; however, gender differences in the drug-related adverse events have not been systemically described. Objective To explore gender differences in the adverse events associated with cardiovascular drugs using a spontaneous reporting system. Setting This study was conducted using the Korea adverse event reporting system and national health insurance databases. Methods The number of reported adverse events was divided by the number of patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases (Korean Standard Classification of Disease, 7th Revision, I05–I70) and prescribed cardiovascular drugs. We calculated adverse event reporting rates per 100,000 persons and the reporting ratio for women, compared with men. Main outcome measures Reporting ratios across the groups of adverse events and cardiovascular drugs. Results We identified 27,533 adverse events associated with cardiovascular drugs and 9,413,666 patients with cardiovascular disease. Compared with men, reporting ratios of women were higher in the following categories: Overall (1.09, 95% CI, 1.06–1.11), beta blockers (1.20, 95% CI, 1.05–1.39), and calcium channel blockers (1.14, 95% CI, 1.03–1.27). For the adverse events, the reporting ratio was 1.34 (95% CI, 1.14–1.58) for musculoskeletal disorders and 2.54 (95% CI, 2.10–3.07) for oedema in women. Conclusion Our findings on differential adverse events reporting rates associated with the cardiovascular drugs between women and men provide an evidence on possible gender differences in wide range of pharmacotherapy. A clear understanding of the relationship between drug-induced adverse events and gender will aid in the development of therapeutic interventions being tailored to the individual patients.

     

Antiproliferative Diarylpyrazole Derivatives as Dual Inhibitors of the ERK Pathway and COX‐2

A series of 3,4‐diarylpyrazole‐1‐carboxamide derivatives was designed and synthesized. A selected group of the target compounds was tested for in vitro antiproliferative activities over a panel of 60 cancer cell lines at the National Cancer Institute (NCI, Bethesda, MD, USA) at a single‐dose concentration of 10 μm , and the four most active compounds 9a , 9l , 9n , and 10o were further tested in a five‐dose testing mode to determine their IC₅₀ values over the 60 cell lines. In addition, a selected group of target compounds were tested for inhibitory effect over cyclooxygenase isozymes. Compounds 9a , 9l , 9n , and 10o were also tested for MEK and ERK kinase inhibitory activity using Western blot assay. Compound 10o was selective toward melanoma cell line subpanel, and its antiproliferative activity may be attributed to selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition and ERK pathway inhibition.     

2‐Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin‐modified SLN of paclitaxel for overcoming p‐glycoprotein function in multidrug‐resistant breast cancer cells

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the potential of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of paclitaxel (PTX) modified with a 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin system to enhance cellular accumulation of PTX into p‐glycoprotein (p‐gp)‐expressing cells. Methods The PTX‐loaded‐SLNs consisted of lipid (stearic acid) and surfactants (lecithin and poloxamer 188) and were then modified with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin by a sonication method. Key findings In terms of cytotoxicity, PTX‐loaded SLNs modified with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin showed higher cytotoxicity than other formulations. In particular, the cellular uptake of PTX from PTX‐loaded SLNs modified with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin was about 5.8‐ and 1.5‐fold higher than that from PTX solution and unmodified PTX‐loaded SLNs in MCF‐7/ADR cells, respectively. After a 4‐h incubation, clear fluorescence images inside cells were observed over time. When PTX‐loaded SLNs modified with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin were incubated with MCF‐7/ADR cells for 4 h, cellular uptake of PTX increased 1.7‐fold versus that of PTX in the presence of verapamil. Conclusions These results suggest that optimized SLNs modified with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin may have potential as an oral drug delivery system for PTX.     

Effect of lipid on physicochemical properties of solid lipid nanoparticle of paclitaxel

The aim of this study was to compare physicochemical properties of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) made from different lipids. To make small, stable, uniform and highly encapsulated SLNs, many factors such as the components (lipid, stabilizer) and preparation condition (sonication time, power) can be considered. Out of those, we selected solid lipid as lipid matrix to investigate an effect on SLNs. The SLNs were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, solubility and in vitro release study. In this study, SLNs showed different physicochemical properties and release profiles according to used solid lipid. In case of particle size, M-SLN showed biggest particle size (412.5?±?29.4?nm) and highest encapsulation efficiency (61.2?±?4.8?%). And, B-SLN showed highest cumulative drug percentage (85.0?±?1.7?%, 24?h) in release study. These results suggest that lipids type affect physicochemical properties and release profile of SLN.     

Sulodexide prevents peripheral nerve damage in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

We investigated whether sulodexide has additional protective effects against peripheral nerve damage caused by microvascular dysfunction in a rat model of diabetes. Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the following 4 groups (n=7-9/group): Normal, Normal+Sulodexide (sulodexide 10mg/kg), diabetic group, and diabetic+Sulodexide (sulodexide 10mg/kg). We assessed current perception threshold, skin blood flow, superoxide dismutase, and proteinuria in experimental rats after oral administration of sulodexide for 20 weeks. We also performed morphometric analysis of sciatic nerves and intraepidermal nerve fibers of the foot. Superoxide dismutase activity in the blood and sciatic nerve were increased significantly after sulodexide treatment in the diabetic group. Current perception threshold was reduced at 2000 Hz (633.3 ± 24.15 vs 741.2 ± 23.5 μA, P<0.05) and skin blood flow was improved (10.90 ± 0.67 vs 8.85 ± 0.49 TPU, P<0.05) in the diabetic+Sulodexide group compared with the diabetic group. The mean myelinated axon area was significantly larger (56.6 ± 2.2 vs 49.8 ± 2.7 μm(2), P<0.05) and the intraepidermal nerve fiber density was significantly less reduced (6.27 ± 0.24 vs 5.40 ± 0.25/mm, P<0.05) in the diabetic+Sulodexide group compared to the diabetic group. Our results demonstrate that sulodexide exhibits protective effects against peripheral nerve damage in a rat experimental model of diabetes. Therefore, these findings suggest that sulodexide is a potential new therapeutic agent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.     

Skeletodental factors affecting chin point deviation in female patients with class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry: a three-dimensional analysis using computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) was used to investigate which skeletodental factors are related to chin point deviation of facial asymmetry in skeletal class III malocclusion (SCIII) patients. STUDY DESIGN: Forty Korean adult female patients with SCIII, who had a three-dimensional CT taken 1 month before orthognathic surgical surgery, were assigned to group 1 (symmetry) or group 2 (asymmetry) according to the amount of chin point deviation from facial midline. Midfacial, mandibular, and cranial base variables were measured with software and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Group 2 showed higher positions of the upper canine and first molar, shorter ramus height, more superior-posterior positioning of gonion (Go) on the deviated side, and more mesial inclination of the ramus and medial positioning of Go on the opposite side. CONCLUSION: Facial asymmetry in SCIII patients occurs due to greater growth and mesial inclination of the ramus and greater maxillary vertical excess in the opposite side.