Possible amlodipine-induced hepatotoxicity after stem cell transplant

S-amlodipine induces liver inflammation and dysfunction through the alteration of intestinal microbiome in a rat model

S-amlodipine, a commonly prescribed antihypertensive agent, is widely used in clinical settings to treat hypertension. However, the potential adverse effects of long-term S-amlodipine treatment on the liver remain uncertain, given the cautionary recommendations from clinicians regarding its administration in individuals with impaired liver function. To address this, we conducted a study using an eight-week-old male rat model and administered a daily dose of 0.6 ~ 5 mg/kg of S-amlodipine for 7 weeks. Our findings demonstrated that 1.2 ~ 5 mg/kg of S-amlodipine treatment induced liver inflammation and associated dysfunction in rats, further in vitro experiments revealed that the observed liver inflammation and dysfunction were not attributable to direct effects of S-amlodipine on the liver. Metagenome sequencing analysis revealed that S-amlodipine treatment led to alterations in the gut microbiome of rats, with the bloom of E. coli (4.5 ~ 6.6-fold increase) and a decrease in A. muciniphila (1,613.4 ~ 2,000-fold decrease) and B. uniformis (20.6 ~ 202.7-fold decrease), subsequently causing an increase in the gut bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) content (1.4 ~ 1.5-fold increase in feces). S-amlodipine treatment also induced damage to the intestinal barrier and increased intestinal permeability, as confirmed by elevated levels of fecal albumin; furthermore, the flux of gut bacterial LPS into the bloodstream through the portal vein resulted in an increase in serum LPS content (3.3 ~ 4-fold increase). LPS induces liver inflammation and subsequent dysfunction in rats by activating the TLR4 pathway. This study is the first to show that S-amlodipine induces liver inflammation and dysfunction by perturbing the rat gut microbiome. These results indicate the adverse effects of S-amlodipine on the liver and provide a rich understanding of the safety of long-term S-amlodipine administration.

Worldwide Use of RUCAM for Causality Assessment in 81,856 Idiosyncratic DILI and 14,029 HILI Cases Published 1993-Mid 2020: A Comprehensive Analysis

Background: A large number of idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury (iDILI) and herb induced liver injury(HILI) cases of variable quality has been published but some are a matter of concern if the cases were not evaluated for causality using a robust causality assessment method (CAM) such as RUCAM (Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method) as diagnostiinjuryc algorithm. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the worldwide use of RUCAM in iDILI and HILI cases. Methods: The PubMed database (1993-30 June 2020) was searched for articles by using the following key terms: Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method; RUCAM; Idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury; iDILI; Herb induced liver injury; HILI. Results: Considering reports published worldwide since 1993, our analysis showed the use of RUCAM for causality assessment in 95,885 cases of liver injury including 81,856 cases of idiosyncratic DILI and 14,029 cases of HILI. Among the top countries providing RUCAM based DILI cases were, in decreasing order, China, the US, Germany, Korea, and Italy, with China, Korea, Germany, India, and the US as the top countries for HILI. Conclusion: Since 1993 RUCAM is certainly the most widely used method to assess causality in IDILI and HILI. This should encourage practitioner, experts, and regulatory agencies to use it in order to reinforce their diagnosis and to take sound decisions.

A possible increase in liver enzymes due to amlodipine: A case report

Amlodipine is a commonly prescribed antihypertensive drug, well tolerated and has rarely been attributed as a cause for elevated liver enzymes. Here, we present a 47-year-old male patient known to be hypertensive and admitted to our rehabilitation facility after an acute stroke. During his stay, amlodipine was started in addition to other antihypertensive medications to control his blood pressure. His liver transaminases after 4 days (notably alanine aminotransferase) were found to be markedly elevated. After reviewing the medications and investigating probable causes, amlodipine was suspended. After 5 days of suspending amlodipine, the transaminases started to trend downward. The Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale and the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method were performed to assess causality in this suspected idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury case. Both the scores denoted a probable amlodipine-induced liver injury. Previous case reports related to amlodipine-induced liver injury are mentioned and presented in the table below. In conclusion, amlodipine, though not well known to be hepatotoxic, can induce liver enzyme elevations in an idiosyncratic manner.

S-amlodipine-bisoprolol combination therapy caused elevated transaminases and triglyceride levels in healthy Chinese subjects: a randomized controlled, open-label, multiple-dose pharmacokinetic interaction study

Introduction: S-amlodipine is main anti-hypertensive active enantiomer of amlodipine. Bisoprolol is a β-blocker particularly suitable for hypertensive patients with sinus tachycardia. We evaluated the pharmacokinetic interaction between S-amlodipine and bisoprolol in healthy Chinese subjects. Areas covered: Thirty-two subjects were randomly divided into two equal groups. Subjects in group A were administered S-amlodipine 5 mg for 10 days followed by S-amlodipine 5 mg plus bisoprolol 5 mg for 7 days. Subjects in group B were administered bisoprolol 5 mg for 7 days, followed by S-amlodipine 5 mg plus bisoprolol 5 mg for 10 days. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of pharmacokinetic interaction. Tolerability was evaluated by interview, vital signs, 12-lead ECGs, physical examination, and clinical laboratory tests. Expert opinion: The geometric mean ratio (90% CI) for amlodipine AUC_τ,ss and C_ss-max during the monotherapy and combination therapy periods were 1.0389 (0.9879, 1.0926) and 1.0213 (0.9556, 1.0915). For bisoprolol, it was 1.0193 (0.9834, 1.0566) and 0.9989 (0.9133, 1.0925). Most adverse events were mild-moderate. There was high incidence of elevated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and triglyceride.This study found no pharmacokinetic interaction between S-amlodipine and bisoprolol. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and triglycerides should be closely monitored.