Rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics in Caucasian and Asian subjects residing in the United States

Temporal Trends in Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence Among Asian American Subgroups

BACKGROUND

Asian and multiracial individuals represent the 2 fastest growing racial and ethnic groups in the United States, yet most prior studies report Asian American and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander as a single racial group, with limited data on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence among subgroups. We sought to evaluate temporal trends in CVD burden among disaggregated Asian subgroups.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients with CVD based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision (ICD-9 and ICD-10) coding who received care from a mixed-payer health care organization in California between 2008 and 2018 were classified into self-identified racial and ethnic subgroups (non-Hispanic White [NHW], Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and multiracial groups). Adjusted trends in CVD prevalence over time by subgroup were compared using logistic regression. Among 3 494 071 patient-years, prevalence of CVD increased faster among all subgroups except Japanese and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander patients (P<0.01 for each, reference: NHW). Filipino patients had the highest overall CVD prevalence, which increased from 34.3% to 45.1% over 11 years (increase from 17.3%-21.9%, P<0.0001, reference: NHW). Asian Indian patients had the fastest increase in CVD prevalence over time (16.9%-23.7%, P<0.0001, reference: NHW). Among subcategories of disease, hypertension increased faster among Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and multiracial groups (P<0.01 for all, reference: NHW), and coronary artery disease increased faster among Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese groups (P<0.05 for each, reference: NHW).

CONCLUSIONS

The increasing prevalence of CVD among disaggregated Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and multiracial subgroups over time highlights the importance of tailored approaches to addressing CVD in these diverse subpopulations.

Effect of preoperative moderate-dose statin and duration on acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The impact of preoperative statin use on postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is uncertain. We aimed to examine the association of statin therapy before cardiac surgery with postoperative AKI.

METHODS

The retrospective cohort study consisted of 1581 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Postoperative AKI were identified by the modified KDIGO definition. Propensity-score matching was employed to control for selection bias, and logistic regression was used to control for confounders. Subgroup and interaction analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the findings.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of postoperative AKI and severe AKI were 42.19% and 12.27%, respectively. Preoperative moderate-dose statin was significantly associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative AKI (28.9% vs 43.0%, OR (95%CI): 0.54 (0.38, 0.77), p < 0.001) and severe AKI (6.9% vs 13.7%, OR (95%CI): 0.46 (0.26, 0.83), p = 0.009). The beneficial effect on postoperative AKI persisted after adjusting for major confounding factors (OR (95%CI): 0.47 (0.34, 0.66)). Decreased risk of postoperative AKI was observed in patients with preoperative statin duration of 7 ∼ 14 days (OR (95%CI): 0.41 (0.25, 0.65)) and over 14 days (OR (95%CI): 0.43 (0.28, 0.65)), but not in those with preoperative statin duration of <7 days. Similar favorable effects were noted in most subgroup patients, except for those with high-risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, previous congestive cardiac failure, arrhythmia, preoperative ACEI/ARB, aortic cross-clamping or IABP.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative moderate-dose statin was significantly related to a decreased risk of postoperative AKI, especially in patients who received statins for a longer duration. Further large-scale multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to ascertain the impact of statin dose, duration, and timing on postoperative AKI in cardiac surgery patients.

Effect of Daridorexant on the Pharmacokinetics of P-Glycoprotein Substrate Dabigatran Etexilate and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein Substrate Rosuvastatin in Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The dual orexin receptor antagonist daridorexant was approved in 2022 for the treatment of insomnia at doses up to 50 mg once per night. This study aimed at investigating the effect of daridorexant 50 mg at steady state on the pharmacokinetics of dabigatran, the active moiety of dabigatran etexilate, and rosuvastatin, sensitive substrates of P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein, respectively.

METHODS

This single-center, open-label, fixed-sequence study enrolled 24 healthy male subjects who were dosed orally with dabigatran etexilate 75 mg on days 1 (Treatment A1) and 9 (Treatment C1) as well as rosuvastatin 10 mg on days 3 (Treatment A2) and 11 (Treatment C2). On days 7-14, daridorexant (50 mg once daily) was administered. Blood samples for the pharmacokinetics of both substrates and the pharmacodynamics of dabigatran, i.e., two coagulation tests, were collected and safety assessments performed. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic variables were evaluated with geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals of Treatment C1/C2 versus A1/A2.

RESULTS

Geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) of dabigatran maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve were 1.3 (1.0-1.7) and 1.4 (1.1-1.9), respectively, whereas the time to maximum plasma concentration and terminal half-life were comparable between treatments. Pharmacodynamic variables showed a similar pattern as dabigatran pharmacokinetics in both treatments. Rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics were unchanged upon concomitant daridorexant administration. All treatments were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

A mild inhibition of P-glycoprotein was observed after administration of daridorexant (50 mg once daily) at steady state, whereas breast cancer resistance protein was not affected.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05480475; date of registration: 29 July, 2022.

Possible link between statin and iron deficiency anemia: A South Korean nationwide population-based cohort study

An extensive evaluation of disease occurrence after statin use based on a "hypothesis-free" approach remains scarce. To examine the effect of statin use on the potential risk of developing diseases, a propensity score-matched cohort study was executed using data from the National Sample Cohort in South Korea. A total of 7847 statin users and 39,235 nonstatin users were included in the final analysis. The period of statin use was defined as our main time-dependent exposure and was divided into three periods: current, recent, and past. The main outcomes were defined as new-onset diseases with ≥100 events based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. We calculated the adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Cox regression. We found that statin use significantly increased the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia up to 5.04 times (95% CI, 2.11 to 12.03). Therefore, the iron levels of patients using statins should be monitored carefully.

Pharmacokinetics, Tolerability, and Safety of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir Co-formulated Bilayer Tablet Following Repeated Administration in Healthy Chinese Adults

Glecaprevir (GLE)/pibrentasvir (PIB) is an all-oral, interferon- and ribavirin-free, pan-genotypic fixed-dose combination regimen approved for the treatment of all major genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in many countries worldwide. To support clinical development in China, an open-label, single-center phase 1 study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of GLE/PIB in healthy Chinese adults in Mainland China. Eighteen participants received 3 tablets of coformulated GLE/PIB 100/40 mg once daily (QD) for 7 days. Following GLE/PIB 300 mg/120 mg administration, GLE and PIB reached maximum concentration in 4-5 hours with a terminal elimination half-life of 5.9 and 25 hours, respectively. Both GLE and PIB reached steady state by day 5, with no-to-minimal accumulation (≤17% higher). GLE/PIB exposures in healthy Chinese participants were similar to historical observations across phase 1 studies in healthy Western participants. GLE/PIB was safe and well-tolerated, with most adverse events being mild. These pharmacokinetics and safety data, together with existing global efficacy and safety data in healthy and HCV-infected Western participants, support the use of GLE/PIB 300 mg/120 mg QD in adult Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection.

Real-World Analyses of the Treatment Conditions in Patients Initiating Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitor in Taiwan

AIMS

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor is a powerful low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy, but this drug is expensive. This study aimed to describe the real-world treatment conditions in patients initiating PCSK9 inhibitor in Taiwan.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study. The clinical characteristics, baseline lipid-lowering therapy, and changes in the lipid profile of patients receiving PCSK9 inhibitor treatment were obtained from 11 major teaching hospitals in Taiwan.

RESULTS

A total of 296 patients (age 57±13 years, male 73%) who received PCSK9 inhibitor treatments (73.3% alirocumab and 26.7% evolocumab) from 2017 to 2021 were included. Among the patients, 62.8% had history of coronary artery disease, and 27.7% had myocardial infarction. High intensity statin (HIS) monotherapy or HIS＋ezetimibe treatment was used in 32.5% when initiating PCSK9 inhibitor treatment. Among alirocumab users, 21.2% received 75 mg every 3 to 4 weeks, whereas among evolocumab users, 8.9% received 140 mg every 3 to 4 weeks. Almost all the non-standard-dosing PCSK9 inhibitors were paid by the patients themselves but were not reimbursed by the Taiwan National Health Insurance. Overall, the LDL-C levels at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment were 147.4±67.4 and 69.7±58.2 mg/dL (p＜0.01), corresponding to a 49.6%±31.8% LDL-C reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

In the real-world practice in Taiwan, the LDL-C reduction efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors was slightly lower than that reported in the clinical trials. The use of non-standard-dosing PCSK9 inhibitors was not uncommon in Taiwan.

Under-representation of ethnic and regional minorities in lipid-lowering randomized clinical trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

The efficacy of lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) amongst different ethnicities and regions remains unclear. We aimed to assess cardiovascular event reductions associated with LLT according to ethnicity and region in previously published randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched for RCTs of statins, ezetimibe, or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors comparing intensive vs. less-intensive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted per mmol/L reduction in LDL-C. Fifty-three trials with 329 897 participants were included. Amongst participants, 39.5% were from Europe, 16.0% from North America, 9.0% from Japan, 2.8% from Australasia, 1.8% from South America, 1.1% from Asia, 0.6% from South Africa, and 29.2% were unspecified. Amongst trials reporting ethnicities, there were 60.3% White, 20.2% Japanese, 9.4% Asian, 5.5% Black, and 4.7% Latin American. There was reduction in MACE with LLT in regions including Australasia (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.67-0.85), North America (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.69-0.83), Europe (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.71-0.86), and Japan (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63-0.85) and in Black ethnicity (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37-0.82). Head-to-head comparisons between regions and ethnicities revealed no significant differences in MACE reduction.

CONCLUSION

Despite under-representation in clinical trials, regional and ethnic minority groups such as Australasia and Blacks appear to derive at least as much cardiovascular benefit from LLT.

Rosuvastatin adjunctive therapy for rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis: a phase 2b, randomised, open-label, multicentre trial

BACKGROUND

Shorter treatments are needed for drug-susceptible tuberculosis. Adjunctive statins increase bactericidal activity in preclinical tuberculosis models. We investigated the safety and efficacy of adjunctive rosuvastatin in people with tuberculosis. We tested the hypothesis that adjunctive rosuvastatin accelerates sputum culture conversion within the first 8 weeks of treatment of rifampicin-susceptible tuberculosis.

METHODS

This phase 2b, randomised, open-label, multicentre trial conducted in five hospitals or clinics in three countries with high tuberculosis burden (ie, the Philippines, Viet Nam, and Uganda) enrolled adult participants aged 18-75 years with sputum smear or Xpert MTB/RIF positive, rifampicin-susceptible tuberculosis who had received less than 7 days of previous tuberculosis treatment. Participants were randomly assigned via a web-based system to receive either 10 mg rosuvastatin once per day for 8 weeks plus standard tuberculosis therapy (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol; rosuvastatin group) or standard tuberculosis therapy alone (control group). Randomisation was stratified by trial site, history of diabetes, and HIV co-infection. Laboratory staff and central investigators involved in data cleaning and analysis were masked to treatment allocation, but study participants and site investigators were not. Both groups continued standard treatment to week 24. Sputum samples were collected once per week for the first 8 weeks after randomisation, and then at weeks 10, 12, and 24. The primary efficacy outcome was time to culture conversion (TTCC; days) in liquid culture by week 8, assessed in randomised participants who had microbiological confirmation of tuberculosis, took at least one dose of rosuvastatin, and who did not show resistance to rifampicin (modified intention-to-treat population), for which groups were compared with the Cox proportional hazards model. The main safety outcome was grade 3-5 adverse events by week 24, assessed in the intention-to-treat population, for which groups were compared with Fisher's exact test. All participants completed 24 weeks of follow-up. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04504851).

FINDINGS

Between Sept 2, 2020, and Jan 14, 2021, 174 participants were screened and 137 were randomly assigned to the rosuvastatin group (70 participants) or control group (67 participants). In the modified intention-to-treat population of 135 participants, 102 (76%) were men and 33 (24%) were women. Median TTCC in liquid media was 42 days (95% CI 35-49) in the rosuvastatin group (68 participants) and 42 days (36-53) in the control group (67 participants; hazard ratio 1·30 [0·88-1·91], p=0·19). Grade 3-5 adverse events occurred in six (9%) of 70 in the rosuvastatin group (none were considered related to rosuvastatin) and four (6%) of 67 in the control group (p=0·75). There were no serious adverse events that were considered to be related to rosuvastatin.

INTERPRETATION

Adjunctive rosuvastatin at 10 mg once per day was safe but did not produce substantive benefits on culture conversion in the overall study population. Future trials could explore the safety and efficacy of higher doses of adjunctive rosuvastatin.

FUNDING

National Medical Research Council, Singapore.

Pharmacogenomics of response to statin treatment and susceptibility to statin-induced adverse drug reactions in Asians: a scoping review

Background

Statins are the most widely used lipid-lowering agents for patients with hyperlipidemia. However, interindividual variations in efficacy and risk of adverse drug reactions to statin treatment have been widely reported. Ethnicity is well known to be one of the contributing factors to this variation, particularly among Asians.

Objectives

To identify genetic variants associated with statin treatment responses among Asian populations with a focus on four commonly prescribed statins: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in Medline and Embase databases. Studies published from 2008 to 2021 were included. The title and abstract of each article were screened by two reviewers and verified by another two reviewers. Data charted include information on authors, year of study, study population, statin studied, gene studied, study findings, and data of significant statistical value.

Results

A total of 35 articles were included from the 1,939 original studies related to treatment efficacy and 5 articles out of the 284 original studies related to adverse effects. Genetic variants in transmembrane transporters, cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, and apolipoproteins are the most extensively studied among Asian populations, with a main focus on ethnic Chinese. However, Asia consists of genetically different populations, and the results of this review indicated that there is a paucity of studies on other ethnic groups within Asia.

Conclusions

Considering the ethnicity of patients could provide a potential value to personalized medicine in statin therapy.

Correlates of Myopathy in Diabetic Patients Taking Statins

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic ailments; its incidence has reached epidemic proportions in the 21st century. Diabetes significantly increases micro and macrovascular complications, which are effectively managed with statins. Therefore, statins' pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenetics have been extensively studied. Although statins act as a keystone in preventing cardiovascular complications, at the same time, they pose a threat to the quality of life of diabetics due to the resulting muscular side effects. This article summarizes the prevalence, clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, and risk factors of statin-induced myopathy in diabetic patients. Among the diverse predisposing risk factors, the primary variables identified for causing myopathy in diabetic patients include age, gender, ethnicity, duration and severity of illness, comorbid conditions, level of physical activity, alcohol use, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) levels, type and dose of statins, and anti-diabetic drugs or other drugs used concomitantly. In addition, cardiovascular risk quotients also potentially impact diabetic patients making them more vulnerable to developing myopathy from statins. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of managing statin-associated myopathic side effects by providing consensus guidelines on diagnostic, monitoring, and treatment strategies. We also discussed statins' prognostic value in reducing cardiovascular events in diabetic individuals.

The frequency of rs2231142 in ABCG2 among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander subgroups: implications for personalized rosuvastatin dosing

Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide. Rosuvastatin is a moderate- to high-intensity statin depending on the prescribed dose. Statin-associated muscle symptoms are the main side effects, contributing to low adherence to statins. The missense variant rs2231142 in ABCG2 affects the functionality of the ABCG2 transporter, altering the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rosuvastatin. This special report aims to accentuate the importance of considering the ABCG2 genotype upon prescribing rosuvastatin in high cardiovascular disease risk subgroups, specifically Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. Based on the reported frequencies of rs2231142 in ABCG2, it may be justifiable to initiate low-dose rosuvastatin in Samoans relative to Marshallese or Native Hawaiians. Interpopulation differences in pharmacogenetic allele frequencies underscore the need to disaggregate broad population categories to achieve health equity in treatment outcomes.

Predicting disruptions to drug pharmacokinetics and the risk of adverse drug reactions in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients

The liver plays a central role in the pharmacokinetics of drugs through drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) causes disease-specific alterations to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) processes, including a decrease in protein expression of basolateral uptake transporters, an increase in efflux transporters, and modifications to enzyme activity. This can result in increased drug exposure and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Our goal was to predict drugs that pose increased risks for ADRs in NASH patients. Bibliographic research identified 71 drugs with reported ADRs in patients with liver disease, mainly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), 54 of which are known substrates of transporters and/or metabolizing enzymes. Since NASH is the progressive form of NAFLD but is most frequently undiagnosed, we identified other drugs at risk based on NASH-specific alterations to ADME processes. Here, we present another list of 71 drugs at risk of pharmacokinetic disruption in NASH, based on their transport and/or metabolism processes. It encompasses drugs from various pharmacological classes for which ADRs may occur when used in NASH patients, especially when eliminated through multiple pathways altered by the disease. Therefore, these results may inform clinicians regarding the selection of drugs for use in NASH patients.

Studying the right transporter at the right time: an in vitro strategy for assessing drug-drug interaction risk during drug discovery and development

INTRODUCTION

Transporters are significant in dictating drug pharmacokinetics, thus inhibition of transporter function can alter drug concentrations resulting in drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Because they can impact drug toxicity, transporter DDIs are a regulatory concern for which prediction of clinical effect from in vitro data is critical to understanding risk.

AREA COVERED

The authors propose in vitro strategies to assist mitigating/removing transporter DDI risk during development by frontloading specific studies, or managing patient risk in the clinic. An overview of clinically relevant drug transporters and observed DDIs are provided, alongside presentation of key considerations/recommendations for in vitro study design evaluating drugs as inhibitors or substrates. Guidance on identifying critical co-medications, clinically relevant disposition pathways and using mechanistic static equations for quantitative prediction of DDI is compiled.

EXPERT OPINION

The strategies provided will facilitate project teams to study the right transporter at the right time to minimise development risks associated with DDIs. To truly alleviate or manage clinical risk, the industry will benefit from moving away from current qualitative basic static equation approaches to transporter DDI hazard assessment towards adopting the use of mechanistic models to enable quantitative DDI prediction, thereby contextualising risk to ascertain whether a transporter DDI is simply pharmacokinetic or clinically significant requiring intervention.

Guidelines for dyslipidemia management in India: A review of the current scenario and gaps in research

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) have a high disease burden in India. Dyslipidemia, a major CVD risk factor, requires effective management. Our review describes the appropriateness of the international dyslipidemia guidelines in the Indian context. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Science Direct to obtain relevant articles. Dyslipidemia management guidelines by western medical associations are based on their studies, with ethnic minorities underrepresented and biological features of other racial groups inadequately incorporated. The Lipid Association of India (LAI) came up with a consensus statement guided by an expert panel to adapt the western guidelines to Indians. However, absence of Indian guidelines has led to physicians basing treatment on individual preference, contributing to heterogeneity. Our review underscores the need for formulating Indian dyslipidemia management guidelines and CV risk estimation algorithms, highlighting the scope for further research. This could supplement the clinical expertise of LAI and enhance patient experience.

Real-World Analyses of the Safety Outcome among a General Population Treated with Statins: An Asian Population-Based Study

AIM

The safety concern of statins is still a major issue for Asians. The aim of this study is to compare the risk of statin-associated adverse events among potent statins.

METHODS

We included patients from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database who had been treated with atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, or pitavastatin and were without diabetes at baseline. They were classified into three groups: usual-dose statin (atorvastatin 10 mg/d or rosuvastatin 5-10 mg/d), high-dose statin (atorvastatin 20-40 mg/d and rosuvastatin 20 mg/d), and pitavastatin (2-4 mg/d). The primary endpoint is a composite of safety events, including hepatitis, myopathy, and new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM). We matched age, sex, and year of recruitment among the three groups (n=50,935 in each group) and then used the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to evaluate the relation between the safety endpoint and different statin groups.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 3.08±0.83 years, the safety events occurred in 9.84% in the pitavastatin group, 10.88% in the usual-dose statin group, and 10.49% in high-dose statin group. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model indicated that usual-dose statin and high-dose statin were associated with a higher risk of the composite safety events compared with pitavastatin (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.17 for usual-dose statin and aHR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10 for high-dose statin). The risks of hepatitis requiring hospitalization and NODM were especially lower in pitavastatin group.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, pitavastatin might be associated with a lower risk of safety events in Asians.

The Association between ABCG2 421C>A (rs2231142) Polymorphism and Rosuvastatin Pharmacokinetics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Although several studies have revealed the association between rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics and the ABCG2 421C>A (rs2231142) polymorphism, most studies were conducted with small sample sizes, making it challenging to apply the findings clinically. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to perform a meta-analysis of the relationship between the ABCG2 421C>A polymorphism and rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics. We searched three electronic databases, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science, using search terms related to ABCG2 gene polymorphisms and rosuvastatin. In addition, we reviewed studies published before 12 August 2021, to examine the relationship between the ABCG2 421C>A polymorphism and rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics. To examine the magnitude of the association, the log geometric mean difference (lnGM) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and interpreted as the antilogarithm of a natural logarithm (elnGM). The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (version 5.4) and R Studio (version 4.0.2). Subgroup analysis was performed according to race and the types of mean values. Among the 318 identified studies, a total of 8 studies involving 423 patients is included in this meta-analysis. The A allele carriers of ABCG2 421C>A showed 1.5 times higher in both AUC0-∞ (lnGM = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.35−0.50; p < 0.00001) and Cmax (lnGM = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.33−0.51; p < 0.00001) than non-carriers, while there was no significant difference in Tmax and half-life. There was no significance in the pharmacokinetic parameters of the subgroups using either ethnicity or mean values. This meta-analysis demonstrates that subjects carrying the A allele of ABCG2 421C>A show significantly increased AUC0-∞ and Cmax values compared to subjects with the CC genotype. Therefore, information about ABCG2 genotypes might be useful for individualized rosuvastatin therapy.

Intensive vs non-intensive statin pretreatment before percutaneous coronary intervention in Chinese patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The results of intensive statin pretreatment before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is inconsistent between Chinese and Western populations, and there are no corresponding meta-analyses involving hard clinical endpoints in the available published literature.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose statin loading before PCI in Chinese patients through a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified by searching the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane's Library to December 2019. The outcomes included an assessment of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac death, target vessel revascularization (TVR), myalgia /myasthenia and abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in all enrolled patients. Random effect model and fixed effect model were applied to combine the data, which were further analyzed by χ 2 test and I 2 test. The main outcomes were then analyzed through the use of relative risks (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI).

RESULTS

Eleven studies involving 3123 individuals were included. Compared with patients receiving placebo or no statin treatment before surgery, intensive statin treatment was associated with a clear reduction of risk of MACE (RR = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.00001). However, compared with the patients receiving moderate-intensity statin before surgery, no advantage to intensive statin treatment was seen (RR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.82-1.31, P = 0.74). In addition, no significant difference was observed between intensive statin therapy and non-intensive statin therapy on the incidence of TVR (RR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.18-1.02, P = 0.06) , myalgia /myasthenia (RR = 1.35, 95%CI: 0.30-5.95, P = 0.69) and abnormal alanine aminotransferase (RR = 1.47, 95%CI: 0.54-4.02, P = 0.45) except non-fatal MI (RR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.33-0.88, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Compared with placebo or no statin pretreatment, intensive statin before PCI displayed reduced incidence of MACE. However, there was no significant benefit between high and moderate-intensity statin. In addition, no significant difference was observed between intensive statin therapy and non-intensive statin therapy on the incidence of TVR, myalgia/myasthenia and abnormal alanine aminotransferase except non-fatal MI.

Statins Reduce Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease: A 17-Year Longitudinal Study

Simple Summary

Statins are medicines used to treat patients with high lipid levels (hyperlipidemia). Studies have reported that patients undergoing statin therapy are at reduced risk of developing liver cancer. In this study, we compared the risk of developing liver cancer among hyperlipidemic patients with and without statin therapy in three patient groups classified by renal function: normal renal function (NRF) group, chronic kidney disease (CKD) not requiring dialysis, and dialysis-dependent end stage of real disease (ESRD). Our results showed that the risk of developing liver cancer increased progressively from NRF group to CKD and ESRD groups, but was lower for patients receiving statins treatment than non-treated patients. We also found that the statin therapy effectiveness was better in patients taking hydrophilic statins than in those taking lipophilic statins, and in patients taking statin-ezetimibe combination than in those taking statin alone, particularly in the NRF group. Ezetimibe is also an effective option of treating hyperlipidemia.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cancer in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in Taiwan. Whether statin therapy associated with the HCC risk in hyperlipidemic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ESRD is unclear. Using population-based insurance claim data from Taiwan, we identified from hyperlipidemic patients taking statins or not (677,364 versus 867,707) in 1999–2015. Among them, three pairs of propensity score matched statin and non-statin cohorts were established by renal function: 413,867 pairs with normal renal function (NRF), 46,851 pairs with CKD and 6372 pairs with ESRD. Incidence rates of HCC were compared, by the end of 2016, between statin and non-statin cohorts, between hydrophilic statins (HS) and lipophilic statins (LS) users, and between statin-ezetimibe combination therapy (SECT) and statin monotherapy (SM) users. The HCC incidence increased progressively from NRF to CKD and ESRD groups, was lower in the statin cohort than in the non-statin cohort, with the differences of incidence per 10,000 person-years increased from (7.77 vs. 21.4) in NRF group to (15.8 vs. 37.1) in CKD group to (19.1 vs. 47.8) in ESRD group. The incidence increased with age, but the Cox method estimated hazard ratios showed a greater statin effectiveness in older patients. Among statin users, the HCC incidence was lower in HS users than in LS users, and lower in SECT users than in SM users, but the difference was significant only in the NRF group. Hyperlipidemic patients with CKD and ESRD receiving statins are at reduced HCC risks; the treatment effectiveness is superior for HS users than for LS users, and for SECT users than for SM users, but not significant.

Serum Predose Metabolic Profiling for Prediction of Rosuvastatin Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Healthy Volunteers

Rosuvastatin is a well-known lipid-lowering agent generally used for hypercholesterolemia treatment and coronary artery disease prevention. There is a substantial inter-individual variability in the absorption of statins usually caused by genetic polymorphisms leading to a variation in the corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters, which may affect drug therapy safety and efficacy. Therefore, the investigation of metabolic markers associated with rosuvastatin inter-individual variability is exceedingly relevant for drug therapy optimization and minimizing side effects. This work describes the application of pharmacometabolomic strategies using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry to investigate endogenous plasma metabolites capable of predicting pharmacokinetic parameters in predose samples. First, a targeted method for the determination of plasma concentration levels of rosuvastatin was validated and applied to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters from 40 enrolled individuals; then, predose samples were analyzed using a metabolomic approach to search for associations between endogenous metabolites and the corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters. Data processing using machine learning revealed some candidates including sterols and bile acids, carboxylated metabolites, and lipids, suggesting the approach herein described as promising for personalized drug therapy.

Inter-ethnic differences in pharmacokinetics-is there more that unites than divides?

Inter-ethnic variability in pharmacokinetics (PK) has been attributed to several factors ranging from genetic to environmental. It is not clear how current teaching in higher education (HE) reflects what published literature suggests on this subject. This study aims to gain insights into current knowledge about inter-ethnic differences in PK based on reports from published literature and current teaching practices in HE. A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus to identify suitable literature to be reviewed. Insights into inter-ethnic differences in PK teaching among educators in HE and industry were determined using a questionnaire. Thirty-one percent of the studies reviewed reported inter-ethnic differences in PK, of these, 37% of authors suggested genetic polymorphism as possible explanation for the inter-ethnic differences observed. Other factors authors proposed included diet and weight differences between ethnicities. Most respondents (80%) who taught inter-ethnic difference in PK attributed inter-ethnic differences to genetic polymorphism. While genetic polymorphism is one source of variability in PK, the teaching of genetic polymorphism is better associated with interindividual variabilities rather than inter-ethnic differences in PK as there are no genes with PK implications specific to any one ethnic group. Nongenetic factors such as diet, weight, and environmental factors, should be highlighted as potential sources of interindividual variation in the PK of drugs.

Comparison of High-Statin Therapy vs Moderate-Statin Therapy in Achieving Positive Low-Density Lipoprotein Change in Patients After Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized-Control Trial

INTRODUCTION

Statin use in secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can play an important role in enhancing clinical outcomes, this has been proven in several randomized trials. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of moderate-intensity and high-intensity statins in controlling low-density lipoprotein (LDL) after ACS.

METHODOLOGY

A randomized control trial was conducted at the Cardiology Department of Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from July 2020 to September 2021. During admission, patients were either started on a high-intensity statin dose (rosuvastatin 20 mg) or moderate-intensity statin (rosuvastatin 10 mg) by a computer-generated allocation sequence. Patients were followed-up in the outpatient department (OPD) after 3 months, and a lipid profile at follow-up was obtained. The percentage of LDL change was determined on 3 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 590 patients were enrolled in the study. Out of all participants enrolled, 334 (80.48%) completed the 3-month follow-up. The mean age of participants was 58.08 (+12.06) years. High-intensity statin therapy is positively associated with positive LDL change (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=4.45, P-value=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our data implies that high-intensity statin medication may be an initial therapeutic option to decrease LDL. However, future randomized clinical trials should corroborate these findings.

High-Intensity Statin vs. Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Target for Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Territory-Wide Cohort Study in Hong Kong

Background: Different guidelines recommend different approaches to lipid management in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We aim to determine the best strategy for lipid management in Asian patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Method: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in patients who underwent first-ever PCI from 14 hospitals in Hong Kong. All participants either achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target of <55 mg/dl with ≥50% reduction from baseline (group 1), or received high-intensity statin (group 2), or both (group 3) within 1 yr after PCI. The primary endpoint was a composite outcome of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and any unplanned coronary revascularization between 1 and 5 yr after PCI.

Results: A total of 8,650 patients were analyzed with a median follow-up period of 4.2 yr. After the adjustment of baseline characteristics, complexity of PCI and medications prescribed and the risks of the primary outcome were significantly lower in group 2 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74–0.93, P = 0.003) and group 3 (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62–0.90; P = 0.002). The primary outcome occurred at similar rates between group 2 and group 3.

Conclusions: Use of high intensity statin, with or without the attainment of guidelines recommended LDL-C target, was associated with a lower adjusted risk of MACE at 5 yr, compared with patients who attained LDL-C target without high intensity statin.

Multidrug efflux transporter ABCG2: expression and regulation

The adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette efflux transporter G2 (ABCG2) was originally discovered in a multidrug-resistant breast cancer cell line. Studies in the past have expanded the understanding of its role in physiology, disease pathology and drug resistance. With a widely distributed expression across different cell types, ABCG2 plays a central role in ATP-dependent efflux of a vast range of endogenous and exogenous molecules, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis and providing tissue protection against xenobiotic insults. However, ABCG2 expression is subjected to alterations under various pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation, infection, tissue injury, disease pathology and in response to xenobiotics and endobiotics. These changes may interfere with the bioavailability of therapeutic substrate drugs conferring drug resistance and in certain cases worsen the pathophysiological state aggravating its severity. Considering the crucial role of ABCG2 in normal physiology, therapeutic interventions directly targeting the transporter function may produce serious side effects. Therefore, modulation of transporter regulation instead of inhibiting the transporter itself will allow subtle changes in ABCG2 activity. This requires a thorough comprehension of diverse factors and complex signaling pathways (Kinases, Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic hedgehog) operating at multiple regulatory levels dictating ABCG2 expression and activity. This review features a background on the physiological role of transporter, factors that modulate ABCG2 levels and highlights various signaling pathways, molecular mechanisms and genetic polymorphisms in ABCG2 regulation. This understanding will aid in identifying potential molecular targets for therapeutic interventions to overcome ABCG2-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) and to manage ABCG2-related pathophysiology.

The necessary conduct: Exploratory multiregional clinical trials in East Asia

Various studies have highlighted the importance of ethnic differences. The consideration of ethnic differences in the field of individualized pharmacotherapy is imperative. Therefore, various organizations and networks across countries should aim to conduct multicountry and multiregional clinical trials (MRCTs). If there is solid evidence available to evaluate the existence of ethnic differences between the same regional areas, it will lead to an increase in the efficiency of drug development. The purpose of this paper was to compare the approval dosing regimen among four Asian countries (Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan) and elucidate the readiness and current status of the implementation of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) E17 guidelines on MRCTs. Reducing unnecessary clinical trials via multinational clinical trials in East Asian countries is also suggested. The approved dosing regimens for some drugs in the four Asian countries were similar; however, some differences might be caused by differences in legislation, even though there were no ethnic differences. This indicates that there are several roles to be expected of the Asia Clinical Pharmacology study network for exploratory MRCTs, which would lead to the accumulation of evidence for MRCTs, ultimately accelerating the efficiency of drug development in East Asian countries. The exposure of the new treatment to the necessary patients through collaborative research coordination and simultaneous multinational subject recruitment would serve its role in providing East Asia with specific personalized medicine with a high treatment success rate.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling of tamsulosin related to CYP2D6*10 allele

Tamsulosin, a selective [Formula: see text]-adrenoceptor blocker, is commonly used for alleviation of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Tamsulosin is predominantly metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes, and several studies reported the effects of CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin. This study aims to develop and validate the physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of tamsulosin in CYP2D6*wt/*wt, CYP2D6*wt/*10, and CYP2D6*10/*10 genotypes, using Simcyp® simulator. Physicochemical, and formulation properties and data for absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion were collected from previous publications, predicted in the simulator, or optimized in different CYP2D6 genotypes. The tamsulosin PBPK model in CYP2D6*wt/*wt and CYP2D6*wt/*10 genotypes were developed based on the clinical pharmacokinetic study where a single oral dose of 0.2 mg tamsulosin was administered to 25 healthy Korean male volunteers with CYP2D6*wt/*wt and CYP2D6*wt/*10 genotypes. A previous pharmacokinetic study was used to develop the model in CYP2D6*10/*10 genotype. The developed model was validated using other clinical pharmacokinetic studies not used in development. The predicted exposures via the PBPK model in CYP2D6*wt/*10 and CYP2D6*10/*10 genotype was 1.23- and 1.76-fold higher than CYP2D6*wt/*wt genotype, respectively. The simulation profiles were visually similar to the observed profiles, and fold errors of all development and validation datasets were included within the criteria. Therefore, the tamsulosin PBPK model in different CYP2D6 genotypes with regards to CYP2D6*10 alleles was appropriately established. Our model can contribute to the implementation of personalized pharmacotherapy of patients, appropriately predicting the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin reflecting their demographic and CYP2D6 genotype characteristics without unnecessary drug exposure.

Loss of function polymorphisms in SLCO1B1 (c.521T>C, rs4149056) and ABCG2 (c.421C>A, rs2231142) genes are associated with adverse events of rosuvastatin: a case-control study

PURPOSE

The study aims to evaluate relationship between polymorphisms associated with a reduced function of two transporter proteins resulting in increased exposure to rosuvastatin - organic anion transporter 1B1 (OATP1B1) (SLCO1B1 c.521T>C) and ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) (ABCG2 c.421C>A) and occurrence of rosuvastatin related myotoxicity/hepatotoxicity.

METHODS

In a case-control study, cases (rosuvastatin treated patients developing myotoxicity or hepatotoxicity) and controls (concurrent rosuvastatin treated patients free of adverse events) were prospectively recruited over a 2 year period in a single tertiary center specialized in treatment of metabolic disorders. Subjects were evaluated for clinical, comorbidity, and comedication characteristics and for genotype predicted metabolizing phenotypes regarding cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. Standard regression analysis and analysis in matched sets of cases and controls (optimal full matching) were undertaken by fitting frequentist and Bayesian models (covariates/matching variables: age, sex, diabetes, liver/renal disease, hypertension, CYP2C9 and C19 phenotype, use of CYP or transporter inhibitors, non evaluated transporter genotype).

RESULTS

A total of 88 cases (81 with myotoxicity, 6 with hepatotoxicity, 1 with both) and 129 controls were recruited. Odds of variant SLCO1B1 c.521T>C allele were 2.2-2.5 times higher in cases than in controls (OR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.34-4.48; Bayesian OR = 2.59, 95% CrI 1.42-4.90 in regression analysis; OR = 2.20, 1.10-4.42; Bayesian OR = 2.26, 1.28-4.41 in matched analysis). Odds of variant ABCG2 c.421C>A allele were 2.1-2.3 times higher in cases than in controls (OR = 2.24, 1.04-4.83; Bayesian OR = 2.35, 1.09-4.31 in regression analysis; OR = 2.10, 0.83-5.31; Bayesian OR = 2.17, 1.07-4.35 in matched analysis).

CONCLUSION

Loss of function polymorphisms in SLCO1B1 c.521T>C and ABCG2 c.421C>A genes are associated with the presence of rosuvastatin related myotoxicity and/or hepatotoxicity.

UGT1A1 regulatory variant with potential effect on efficacy of HIV and cancer drugs commonly prescribed in South Africa

Aim: Despite the high disease burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and colorectal cancer (CRC) in South Africa (SA), treatment-relevant pharmacogenetic variants are understudied. Materials & methods: Using publicly available genotype and gene expression data, a bioinformatic pipeline was developed to identify liver expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Results: A novel cis-eQTL, rs28967009, was identified for UGT1A1, which is predicted to upregulate UGT1A1 expression thereby potentially affecting the metabolism of dolutegravir and irinotecan, which are extensively prescribed in SA for HIV and colorectal cancer treatment, respectively. Conclusion: As increased UGT1A1 expression could affect the clinical outcome of dolutegravir and irinotecan treatment by increasing drug clearance, patients with the rs28967009A variant may require increased drug doses to reach therapeutic levels or should be prescribed alternative drugs.

Efficacy and safety of statins in ethnic differences: a lesson for application in Indigenous Australian patient care

Although statins are effective in treating high cholesterol, adverse effects do occur with their use. Efficacy and tolerability vary among statins in different ethnic groups. Indigenous Australians have a high risk for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Prescribing statins to Indigenous Australians with multi-morbidity requires different strategies to increase efficacy and reduce their toxicity. Previous studies have reported that Indigenous Australians are more susceptible to severe statin-induced myopathies. However, there is a lack of evidence in the underlying genetic factors in this population. This review aims to identify: inter-ethnic differences in the efficacy and safety of statins; major contributing factors accounting for any identified differences; and provide an overview of statin-induced adverse effects in Indigenous Australians.

Use of statin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular outcomes in elderly patients: A propensity-matched cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Herein, we investigate whether statin treatment as primary prevention reduces cardiovascular outcomes in elderly Asian patients.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort database (n = 558,147). A total of 81,729 elderly patients (≥75 years) without clinically recognized atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) were included. The patients who did not have a history of statin use in year 2003 were followed from January 2004 to the end of 2012. New statin users (n = 3670) were matched on the basis of the propensity score in a 1:2 ratio with non-users. Incidences of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and death from CVD were compared using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The risk of cardiovascular death was significantly reduced in the statin treatment group compared with the non-user group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29 to 0.40; p < 0.001). This effect was observed in both patient groups with and without diabetes. In patients with diabetes, the HR for statin use was 0.85 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.33) for myocardial infarction and 0.75 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.93) for ischemic stroke. In participants without diabetes, the HR of statin use was 0.95 (95% CI 0.73 to 1.24) for myocardial infarction and 1.13 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.26) for ischemic stroke. The presence of hypertension was also a significant factor in the prevention of ischemic stroke by statin treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly patients without clinically recognized atherosclerotic CVD, the risk of cardiovascular mortality was significantly reduced with statin treatment than with non-users. In participants with type 2 diabetes, statin treatment was associated with a reduction in ischemic stroke.

Caspofungin pharmacokinetics and probability of target attainment in ICU patients in China

OBJECTIVES

Effective antifungal therapy is important to reduce mortality in patients with invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Numerous factors affect pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameters in critically-ill patients. To guide individualised administration in critically-ill patients, it is of great significance to determine the population pharmacokinetics of caspofungin.

METHODS

A prospective study in 42 ICU patients with IFIs was conducted in China. A population pharmacokinetic model of caspofungin was established using a non-linear mixed-effects model, which was utilised to investigate the effects of demographic indices, liver function and kidney function on pharmacokinetics. Additionally, appropriate dosages of caspofungin under various scenarios were determined based on MICs and probability of target attainment (PTA) at specific dosages.

RESULTS

In critically-ill Chinese patients, clearance (CL), volume of distribution (V) and area under the curve at steady-state (AUC_ss) of caspofungin were 0.32 L/h, 6.77 L and 135.47 mg•h/L, respectively. Blood albumin and total bilirubin levels were factors affecting CL, while body weight was the only factor affecting V among Chinese people with relatively low weight compared with other populations. A maintenance dose of 50 mg caspofungin achieved a high PTA for treating IFIs caused by Candida albicans (MIC ≤ 0.06 mg/L) and Candida glabrata (MIC ≤ 0.125 mg/L). The maintenance dose of caspofungin should be adjusted to 70-200 mg for IFIs caused by C. albicans (MIC, 0.06-0.125 mg/L). For IFIs caused by Candida parapsilosis, an MIC > 0.03 mg/L is associated with a very low PTA, but higher doses of caspofungin or alternative antifungals need to be further studied.

CONCLUSION

The population pharmacokinetic model established here described well the PK/PD characteristics of caspofungin in critically-ill Chinese patients. These results could guide the formulation of individualised caspofungin dosing regimens for critically-ill patients.

Personalized medicine in lipid-modifying therapy

The choice of lipid-modifying treatment is largely based on the absolute level of cardiovascular risk and baseline lipid profile. Statins are the first-line treatment for most patients requiring reduction of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors can be added to reach LDL-C targets. Statins have some adverse effects that are somewhat predictable based on phenotypic and genetic factors. Fibrates or omega-3 fatty acids can be added if triglyceride levels remain elevated. The RNA-targeted therapeutics in development offer the possibility of selective liver targeting for specific lipoproteins such as lipoprotein(a) and long-term reduction of LDL-C with infrequent administration of a small-interfering RNA may help to overcome the problem of adherence to therapy.

Statin Therapy in Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation: Focus on the Anti-Inflammatory Effects

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurring after cardiac surgery, post-operative AF (POAF), is a serious and common complication of this treatment. POAF may be life-threatening and the available preventive strategies are insufficient or are associated with significantly increased risk of adverse effects, especially in long-term use. Therefore, more appropriate treatment strategies are needed.

METHODS

In this paper, the efficacy, safety, and other aspects of using statins in the prevention of POAF focusing on their anti-inflammatory effects are reviewed.

RESULTS

Recent studies have suggested that inflammation has a significant role in POAF, from the first AF episode to its serious complications including stroke and peripheral embolism. On the other hand, statins, the most widely used medications in cardiovascular patients, have pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, they may potentially be effective in POAF prevention. Statins, especially atorvastatin, appear to be an effective option for primary prevention of POAF, especially in patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), a cardiac surgery treatment associated with inflammation in the heart muscle. However, several large studies, particularly with rosuvastatin, did not confirm the beneficial effect of statins on POAF. One large clinical trial reported higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) following high-dose rosuvastatin in Chinese population. In this study, rosuvastatin reduced the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) but did not reduce the rate of POAF.

CONCLUSION

Further studies are required to find the most effective statin regimen for POAF prevention with the least safety concern and the highest health benefits.

Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Telmisartan and Rosuvastatin/Ezetimibe After Multiple Oral Administration in Healthy Subjects

INTRODUCTION

Telmisartan, rosuvastatin and ezetimibe are commonly recommended as combination therapies. However, the pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction among these therapeutic drugs has not been clearly reported. The objective of this study was to investigate possible interactions between telmisartan monotherapy and a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of rosuvastatin/ezetimibe.

METHODS

A randomized, open-label, multiple oral dose, three-treatment, three-period, six-sequence crossover study was conducted in healthy male volunteers. Monotherapy and cotherapy with telmisartan (80 mg) or a FDC of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe (20/10 mg) were compared after once-daily treatment for 7 days. The PK profiles for telmisartan, rosuvastatin, total ezetimibe (ezetimibe + exetimibe glucuronide) and ezetimibe were evaluated up to 48 h after the last dose. There was a 14-day washout period between each treatment.

RESULTS

The geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the peak plasma concentration at steady state (C_max,ss) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve during the dosing interval at steady state (AUC_τ,ss) were 1.258 (1.072-1.475) (P = 0.020) and 1.264 (1.167-1.370) (P < 0.001) for telmisartan, 0.796 (0.723-0.878) (P < 0.001) and 0.904 (0.842-0.970) (P = 0.021) for total ezetimibe and 1.237 (1.081-1.416) (P = 0.012) and 0.988 (0.899-1.086) (P = 0.832) for ezetimibe, respectively. With rosuvastatin, the GMR (90% CI) was 2.616 (2.287-2.992) (P < 0.001) for C_max,ss and 1.265 (1.168-1.369) (P < 0.001) for AUC_τ,ss. No serious adverse events or clinically significant results were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The coadministration of multiple doses of telmisartan and rosuvastatin/ezetimibe led to a mild increase in systemic exposure with respect to telmisartan and rosuvastatin and a nonsignificant change in exposure to total ezetimibe and ezetimibe, which was not considered clinically significant without safety concerns. Furthermore, for the generalizability of the clinical effects, a large-scaled clinical study might be required in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov registry number: NCT03802526.

Prior statin therapy and 30-day mortality in South Korean patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND

The effect of prior statin therapy on mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate whether prior statin therapy was associated with lower 30-day mortality compared to non-statin use.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study used nationwide data procured from the National Health Insurance service in South Korea, and included all the adult patients admitted to a hospital for ARDS treatment between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017.

RESULTS

In total, 14,600 patients with ARDS were included: 4,319 were statin users and 10,281 were non-statin users. After propensity score matching, 6,046 patients with ARDS (3,023 patients in each group) were included in the analysis. The 30-day mortality of statin users was 44.4% (1,331 of 3,023), while that of non-statin users was 45.2% (1,331 of 3,023). On Cox regression analysis in the propensity score matched cohort, 30-day mortality was not significantly associated with statin use compared to non-statin use (hazard ratio: 0.95, 95% confidence interval: 0.88 to 1.02; P = .165). On Kaplan-Meier estimation, the median survival time in statin users was 45 days (95% CI: 39 to 50), while that in non-statin users was 42 days (95% CI: 37 to 47) after propensity score matching, and there was no statistical difference with the log-rank test (P = .215).

CONCLUSION

This population-based cohort study in South Korea showed that prior statin therapy was not significantly associated with 30-day mortality in patients with ARDS. Our findings should be confirmed in future prospective studies.

PBPK Model of Coproporphyrin I: Evaluation of the Impact of SLCO1B1 Genotype, Ethnicity, and Sex on its Inter-Individual Variability

Coproporphyrin I (CPI) is an endogenous biomarker of OATP1B activity and associated drug-drug interactions. In this study, a minimal physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model was developed to investigate the impact of OATP1B1 genotype (c.521T>C), ethnicity, and sex on CPI pharmacokinetics and interindividual variability in its baseline. The model implemented mechanistic descriptions of CPI hepatic transport between liver blood and liver tissue and renal excretion. Key model parameters (e.g., endogenous CPI synthesis rate, and CPI hepatic uptake clearance) were estimated by fitting the model simultaneously to three independent CPI clinical datasets (plasma and urine data) obtained from white (n = 16, men and women) and Asian-Indian (n = 26, all men) subjects, with c.521 variants (TT, TC, and CC). The optimized CPI model successfully described the observed data using c.521T>C genotype, ethnicity, and sex as covariates. CPI hepatic active was 79% lower in 521CC relative to the wild type and 42% lower in Asian-Indians relative to white subjects, whereas CPI synthesis was 23% higher in male relative to female subjects. Parameter sensitivity analysis showed marginal impact of the assumption of CPI synthesis site (blood or liver), resulting in comparable recovery of plasma and urine CPI data. Lower magnitude of CPI-drug interaction was simulated in 521CC subjects, suggesting the risk of underestimation of CPI-drug interaction without prior OATP1B1 genotyping. The CPI model incorporates key covariates contributing to interindividual variability in its baseline and highlights the utility of the CPI modeling to facilitate the design of prospective clinical studies to maximize the sensitivity of this biomarker.

Pharmacokinetics of Rosuvastatin: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials in Healthy Adults

BACKGROUND

Rosuvastatin is a lipid-lowering drug that works by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for producing cholesterol in humans. The pharmacokinetic data of rosuvastatin are considerably variable across studies.

OBJECTIVE

To review the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in healthy adults.

METHODS

A review of the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin was performed using systematic search strategies. The Sheiner method was used to summarise the pharmacokinetics of the drug.

RESULTS

Randomised controlled studies (n = 70) involving healthy subjects (n = 2355) that examined the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin following single and multiple doses were included in the review. Rosuvastatin is given once daily in the dose range of 5-80 mg, with 40 mg being the maximum approved daily dose. Rosuvastatin achieves maximum plasma concentration at a median of 5 h (range: 0.5-6 h) under fasting conditions following single and multiple doses. Following single doses, rosuvastatin has a mean absolute oral availability of 20%, an overall mean total clearance of 28.3 L/h and an average terminal elimination half-life of approximately 20 h. The overall mean total clearance of the drug in Caucasian subjects was 1.7-fold higher than that in healthy Chinese subjects. The systemic exposure of rosuvastatin is characterised by a large coefficient of variation (48%.) There is a small accumulation with repeated dosing. The interaction of rosuvastatin with darunavir/ritonavir was considered statistically and clinically relevant. Interactions of rosuvastatin single doses with erythromycin, fluconazole, itraconazole and antacid were statistically significant.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

There is considerable variation in the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin between races. The clinical relevance of the statistically significant drug interactions is yet to be investigated following repeated co-administration for at least 15 days, consistent with a half-life of low-density lipoprotein of 3 days.

Measuring effects on intima-media thickness: an evaluation of rosuvastatin in Chinese subjects with subclinical atherosclerosis-design, rationale, and methodology of the METEOR-China study

BACKGROUND

The beneficial effect of statins on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular outcomes has been well established. The Measuring Effects on intima media Thickness: an Evaluation Of Rosuvastatin (METEOR) global study demonstrated that a 2-year orally administered treatment with rosuvastatin 40 mg daily significantly slowed the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) compared to placebo. The current METEOR-China study is designed to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin 20 mg daily versus placebo on the progression of atherosclerosis measured by CIMT in asymptomatic Chinese subjects.

METHODS

This is a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre parallel-group study. Asymptomatic Chinese subjects with a 10-year ischaemic cardiovascular disease (ICVD) risk < 10% will be recruited at 25 study sites. They will be treated with rosuvastatin 20 mg or placebo for 104 weeks. The primary endpoint is the annualised rate of change in CIMT measured by B-mode ultrasonography. Secondary endpoints include the annualised rate of change in CIMT at three different sections of the carotid artery and changes in the serum lipid profile. Safety parameters will also be assessed.

CONCLUSION

The study will evaluate whether rosuvastatin 20 mg slows the progression of CIMT in asymptomatic Chinese subjects at low risk of ICVD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02546323 . Registered on September 10, 2015.

Clinical Benefit of Statins in Korean Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Experience of the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry

Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor) are among the most important medications for treating patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Herein, we review the clinical benefit and future scope of statin therapy in Korean patients with AMI from the experience of the Korea AMI Registry. Statins are effective and safe in AMI patients, even in those with very low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Peri-procedural statin treatment could reduce the incidence of early stent thrombosis in patients with AMI after percutaneous coronary intervention. Reduction of high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients with AMI plays an important role in the beneficial effect of statins on regression and compositional change of coronary plaques. Obtaining ≥50% reduction in LDL-C is associated with better clinical outcomes after AMI, whereas achieving <70 mg/dL LDL-C is not. Statin therapy has positive effects on clinical outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock, ischemic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and vasospasm. The combination of high-dose statin plus N-acetyl cysteine is associated with lower incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Moderate-intensity pitavastatin therapy is associated with a lower incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus in patients with AMI and has similar clinical outcomes to moderate-intensity atorvastatin and rosuvastatin therapy. Future studies are required to assess the optimal intensity and LDL-C target concerning statin therapy, and the implementation of guidelines based cholesterol lowering practice in Korean patients with AMI.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibition in cardiovascular disease: current status and future perspectives

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) targets the degradation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors; it has been proved that its inhibition improves cardiovascular outcomes in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Herein, we review the current status of PCSK9 inhibitors in clinical practice and the future scope of PCSK9 inhibition. The results of two recent large clinical trials reveal that two PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies evolocumab and alirocumab reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event on top of background statin therapy in patients with stable ASCVD and those with recent acute coronary syndrome, respectively. However, there are several ongoing concerns regarding the efficacy in reducing mortality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term safety of extremely low LDL cholesterol levels with PCSK9 inhibition. The results of ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trials with PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies for primary prevention and with small interfering RNA to PCSK9 for secondary prevention may help to shape the use of this new therapeutic class.

Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis: impact of statins as immune-modulatory agents on inflammatory markers in adults with chronic diseases

INTRODUCTION

Statins, also known as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, are lipid-lowering agents that are central in preventing or reducing the complications of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Because statins have anti-inflammatory properties, there is considerable interest in their therapeutic potential in other chronic inflammatory conditions. We aim to identify the statin with the greatest ability to reduce systemic inflammation, independent of the underlying disease entity.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We aim to conduct a comprehensive search of published and peer-reviewed randomised controlled clinical trials, with at least one intervention arm of a Food & Drug Administration-licensed or European Medicines Agency-licensed statin and a minimum treatment duration of 12 weeks. Our objective is to investigate the effect of statins (atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin) on lipid profile, particularly, cholesterol low-density lipoprotein and inflammation markers such as high-sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), CRP, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) or sCD16 in adults, published in the last 20 years (between January 1999 and December 2019). We aim to identify the most potent statin to reduce systemic inflammation and optimal dosing. The following databases will be searched: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews. The risk of bias of included studies will be assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. The quality of studies will be assessed, to show uncertainty, by the Jadad Score. If sufficient evidence is identified, a meta-analysis will be conducted with risk ratios or ORs with 95% CIs in addition to mean differences.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval is not required as no primary data will be collected. Results will be presented at conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020169919.

An updated review of pharmacokinetic drug interactions and pharmacogenetics of statins

INTRODUCTION

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) lower cholesterol synthesis in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Increased statin exposure is an important risk factor for skeletal muscle toxicity. Potent inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 significantly increase plasma concentrations of the active forms of simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin. Fluvastatin is metabolized by CYP2C9, whereas pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and pitavastatin are unaffected by inhibition by either CYP. Statins also have different affinities for membrane transporters involved in processes such as intestinal absorption, hepatic absorption, biliary excretion, and renal excretion.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the pharmacokinetic aspects of drug-drug interactions with statins and genetic polymorphisms of CYPs and drug transporters involved in the pharmacokinetics of statins are discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Understanding the mechanisms underlying statin interactions can help minimize drug interactions and reduce the adverse side effects caused by statins. Since recent studies have shown the involvement of drug transporters such as OATP and BCRP as well as CYPs in statin pharmacokinetics, further clinical studies focusing on the drug transporters are necessary. The establishment of biomarkers based on novel mechanisms, such as the leakage of microRNAs into the peripheral blood associated with the muscle toxicity, is important for the early detection of statin side effects.

Resource and Infrastructure-Appropriate Management of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The 143 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) of the world constitute 80% of the world's population or roughly 5.86 billion people with much variation in geography, culture, literacy, financial resources, access to health care, insurance penetration, and healthcare regulation. Unfortunately, their burden of cardiovascular disease in general and acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in particular is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Compounding the problem, outcomes remain suboptimal because of a lack of awareness and a severe paucity of resources. Guideline-based treatment has dramatically improved the outcomes of STEMI in high-income countries. However, no such focused recommendations exist for LMICs, and the unique challenges in LMICs make directly implementing Western guidelines unfeasible. Thus, structured solutions tailored to their individual, local needs, and resources are a vital need. With this in mind, a multicountry collaboration of investigators interested in LMIC STEMI care have tried to create a consensus document that extracts transferable elements from Western guidelines and couples them with local realities gathered from expert experience. It outlines general operating principles for LMICs focused best practices and is intended to create the broad outlines of implementable, resource-appropriate paradigms for management of STEMI in LMICs. Although this document is focused primarily on governments and organizations involved with improvement in STEMI care in LMICs, it also provides some specific targeted information for the frontline clinicians to allow standardized care pathways and improved outcomes.

Impact of Plasma Exposure of Statins and Their Metabolites With Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Chinese Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

The selection of optimum statin intensity is inconclusive, and the association of plasma exposure of statins and metabolites with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) is unclear. This study sought to compare the effect of low (quartile 1), intermediate (quartiles 2 and 3), and high (quartile 4) plasma exposure of statins and metabolites on MACE, re-ischemia events and death in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at 5 years. A total of 1,644 patients in atorvastatin (AT) cohort and 804 patients in rosuvastatin (RST) cohort were included, and their plasma concentration of statins and metabolites was categorized as low-, mid-, or high-group. The association between the plasma levels of statins and metabolites and the incidence of primary endpoint in patients was assessed by Cox proportional hazard models. Intensive AT exposure (Q4 > 5.32 ng/ml) was significantly associated with increased risk of death compared with low (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.522; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.035–1.061; P = 0.0022) or moderate exposure (HR: 2.054; 95% CI: 1.348–3.130; P = 0.0008). This association was also found in AT’s five metabolites (all P < 0.01). In patients with RST treatment, moderate RST concentration (0.53–4.29 ng/ml) versus low concentration had a significantly lower risk of MACE and re-ischemia events. (HR: 0.532, 95% CI: 0.347–0.815, P = 0.0061 and HR: 0.505, 95% CI: 0.310–0.823, P = 0.0061, respectively). A higher plasma exposure of AT and metabolites has a significantly higher risk of death, and moderate RST exposure has a significantly lower risk of MACE and re-ischemia events in Chinese patients with CAD. The harms of high plasma exposure should be considered when prescribing statins to patients because it may be a risk factor for having poor prognosis in patients with CAD.