Search

Objectives Cytochrome P450 ( CYP) 2C19 plays a role in the biotransformation of clinically relevant drugs as well as endogenous compounds, including sex hormones, which are known to be modulators of food intake and energy balance in humans. We attempted to investigate the influence of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on valproic acid (VPA)-induced weight gain. Materials and Methods This retrospective longitudinal study included 85 VPA-treated and 93 carbamazepine (CBZ)-treated (as a reference) young patients with epilepsy. The body mass index ( BMI) gap between the patient's BMI and the cutoff value for being overweight was calculated in each patient during the follow-up period. The longitudinal associations of the CYP2C19 genotype with the BMI gap and risk for becoming overweight during VPA or CBZ therapy were examined retrospectively using the generalized estimating equations approach and the Kaplan-Meier method. Results During the follow-up period, the values of the BMI gap were significantly greater ( P = 0.002 or P = 0.005) and the cumulative incidence of becoming overweight tended to be higher ( P = 0.032) in the VPA-treated female patients with one or two loss-of-function CYP2C19 alleles than in the females without the loss-of-function CYP2C19 alleles. No associations were observed among the VPA-treated male patients and CBZ-treated male and female patients ( P > 0.05). Conclusions This is the first report to show a relationship between the CYP2C19 polymorphism and VPA-induced weight gain in female patients with epilepsy. Further investigations are needed to verify these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A clinic-based retrospective longitudinal study conducted for 5.8±2.5 years, including 383 (M/F 245/138) Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus showed that females exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) at baseline and that female gender is an independent risk factor for the development of DR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We assessed the disposition of oral amodiaquine (AQ) and CYP2C8 polymorphism in 20 children with falciparum malaria.AQ and DEAQ concentrations were determined with SPE-HPLC method. CYP2C8 genotypes were assessed by PCR-RFLP method.AQ was not detectable beyond day 3 postdose.C max for DEAQ was reached in 3.0 days. The mean values fort1/2, MRT, and AUCtotal were 10.1 days, 15.5 days and 4512.6 µg l−1 day, respectively. All the children were CYP2C8* homozygous.Our data are consistent with those previously reported, and the AQ regimen seems pharmacokinetically adequate in the absence of CYP2C8 polymorphism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a pilot study on the potential of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) as a protective factor for renal insufficiency in Japanese hypertensive patients with heart failure. It examines the association between ALDH2 genotypes and the estimated glomerular filtration rate. The study found the potential of ALDH2 to protect kidneys against systematic endothelial dysfunction. Limitations of the study are noted.