Diagnosis of elephantiasis nostras verrucosa as a clinical mani-festation of Kaposi's sarcoma / Diagnóstico de elefantiasis nostras verrucosa como mani-festación clínica del Sarcoma de Kaposi

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa, a rare manifestation of Kaposi's sarcoma, is a progressive cutaneous hypertrophy caused by chronic non-filarial lymphedema secondary to obstruction of the lymphatic system that can lead to severe disfigurement of parts of the body that have gravity-dependent blood flow, due to edema, fibrosis, and hyperkeratosis, especially lower extremities. Among the various conditions that can induce chronic lymphedema are tumors, trauma, radiotherapy, obesity, hypothyroidism, chronic venous stasis, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular tumor associated with the presence of human gammaherpesvirus 8 that is predominantly cutaneous, locally aggressive, with metastasis, and is associated with the production of factors that favor inflammation, lymphatic obstruction, and lymphedema.

Hipertensión portal no cirrótica por didanosina: Un caso infrecuente / Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension due to didanosina: A rare case

El compromiso hepático es usualmente visto en pacientes con infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), sobretodo en pacientes coinfectados con el virus de la hepatitis B o C, con el abuso de alcohol, etc. Sin embargo, existe un grupo de pacientes que desarrolla compromiso hepático e hipertensión portal de causa no específica. La hipertensión portal no cirrótica (HPNC) es un desorden hepático descrito recientemente, potencialmente grave, que ha sido reportado en pacientes infectados por el VIH con terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA), específicamente didanosina (DDI). La fisiopatología involucra al agente infeccioso (VIH) y a su tratamiento (TARGA), pues ambas generan una venulopatía prehepática portal. Además, la infección por el VIH genera un estado protrombótico por deficiencia de proteína S conllevando a la obliteración de pequeñas vénulas hepáticas. Se ha postulado a la didanosina como un cofactor en la patogénesis del HPNC. Todo ello conlleva a que en muchas de las biopsias hepáticas se evidencie una hiperplasia nodular regenerativa. Se reporta el caso de una paciente con infección del VIH y en tratamiento con DDI de larga data que debuta con hemorragia digestiva alta (HDA) y ascitis como consecuencia de la HPNC, cuyo diagnóstico fue corroborado por biopsia. No existe reporte de casos del tema en nuestro país

Liver involvement is usually seen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in patients coinfected with hepatitis B or C, in alcohol abuse, etc. However, there is a group of patients who develop liver involvement and portal hypertension of unspecified cause. Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a liver disorder recently described, but potentially serious. It has been reported in HIV-infected patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), specifically didanosine (DDI). The pathophysiology involves the infectious agent (HIV) and its treatment (HAART), since both generate a pre-hepatic portal venulopathy. Similarly, HIV infection produces a prothrombotic state by protein S deficiency leading to the obliteration of small hepatic venules. It has been postulated that DDI as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of NCPH. All this leads that many of the liver biopsies show nodular regenerative hyperplasia. We present the case of a HIV-infected patient who was treated with a longstanding DDI. She developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) and ascites due to NCPH, whose diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. However, there is no similar study in our country

Solubility evaluation of didanosine: a comparison between the equilibrium method and intrinsic dissolution for biopharmaceutics classification purposes

ABSTRACT BCS (Biopharmaceutics Classification System) and BDDCS (Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System) were proposed as tools for classifying drugs into four categories. Both systems consider the solubility as an important characteristic for the classification of compounds in drug development and in vivo disposition prediction. Although some results of drug solubility can be found in the literature, the aforementioned characteristic is not entirely clear when considering didanosine (ddI). Based on that, the solubility of ddI was evaluated using equilibrium and intrinsic dissolution methods. For the equilibrium method, excess amount of ddI was added to each media until obtaining a supersaturated solution and the mixture was submitted to agitation at 37 °C. For the intrinsic dissolution method, the drug was compressed into the Wood's apparatus matrix and subjected to dissolution in each media with agitation at 37 °C. The results obtained from the equilibrium method indicated that it was necessary 139.37 mL of pH 1.2 media, 87.72 mL of pH 4.5 media, 12.54 mL of pH 6.8 media, 5.03 mL of pH 7.5 media and 7.65 mL of purified water for drug solubilization. Furthermore, a very fast intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) was obtained for each media: 0.1 mg/min/cm² (pH 1.2), 0.2 mg/min/cm² (pH 4.5), 0.2 mg/min/cm² (pH 6.8), 0.1 mg/min/cm² (pH 7.5) and 0.1 mg/min/cm² (purified water). Based on these results, ddI can be considered as a highly soluble drug for both equilibrium and intrinsic dissolution methods.

Noncirrhotic portal hypertension in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected adolescent / Hipertensão portal não cirrótica em adolescente infectado pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV)

OBJECTIVE: To alert the pediatrician who is following up HIV-infected patients about the possibility of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) in this period of life, in order to avoid the catastrophic consequences of this disease as bleeding esophageal varices. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 13 years old HIV-infected patient by vertical route was receiving didanosine (ddI) for 12 years. Although the HIV viral load had been undetectable for 12 years, this patient showed gradual decrease of CD4+ T cells, prolonged thrombocytopenia and high alkaline phosphatase. Physical examination detected splenomegaly, which triggered the investigation that led to the diagnosis of severe liver fibrosis by transient elastography, probably due to hepatic toxicity by prolonged use of ddI. COMMENTS: This is the first case of NCPH in HIV-infected adolescent described in Brazil. Although, the NCPH is a rare disease entity in seropositive patients in the pediatric age group, it should be investigated in patients on long-term ddI or presenting clinical and laboratories indicators of portal hypertension, as splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia and increased alkaline phosphatase.

OBJETIVO: Alertar o pediatra sobre a ocorrência de hipertensão portal não cirrótica (HPNC) na faixa etária pediátrica, no sentido de evitar as consequências catastróficas dessa doença, como o sangramento de varizes de esôfago. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Paciente de 13 anos, infectado pelo HIV por via vertical, recebia esquema antirretroviral com didanosina (ddI) havia 12 anos. Apesar do controle adequado da replicação viral, com carga viral do HIV indetectável havia 12 anos, passou a apresentar diminuição gradativa dos linfócitos TCD4+, trombocitopenia prolongada e fosfatase alcalina elevada. O exame físico detectou esplenomegalia, que desencadeou o processo de investigação e culminou no diagnóstico de fibrose hepática acentuada pela elastografia, por provável toxicidade hepática devido ao uso prolongado de ddI. COMENTÁRIOS: Este é o primeiro caso de HPNC em adolescente infectado pelo HIV descrito no Brasil. Embora seja entidade mórbida rara em pacientes soropositivos para o HIV na faixa etária pediátrica, deve ser investigada nos pacientes em uso prolongado de ddI ou que apresentem indicadores clínicos e/ou laboratoriais de hipertensão portal, como esplenomegalia, trombocitopenia e aumento de fosfatase alcalina.

Association between antiretrovirals and thyroid diseases: a cross-sectional study

Objective This study aims to estimate the prevalence of thyroid diseases and anti-TPO status. We searched for an association among presence of immune reconstitution and use of stavudine, didanosine and protease inhibitors with thyroid diseases. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was performed to analyze the records of 117 HIV-infected patients who had their CD4+ cell count, viral load, anti-TPO, TSH and free T4 levels collected on the same day. Immune reconstitution was considered in those whose T CD4+ count was below 200 cells/mm3, but these values increased above 200 cells/mm3 after the use of antiretrovirals. The odds ratio obtained by a 2x2 contingency table and a chi-square test were used to measure the association between categorical variables. Results The prevalence of thyroid disease was 34.18%; of these, 4.34% were positive for anti-TPO. There was an association of risk between stavudine use and subclinical hypothyroidism (OR = 4.19, 95% CI: 1.29 to 13.59, X2 = 6.37, p = 0.01). Immune reconstitution achieved protection associated with thyroid disease that was near statistical significance OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.04, X2 = 3.55, p = 0.059. Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid disease in the sample studied was higher than what had been found in the literature, with a low positive anti-TPO frequency. The historical use of stavudine has an association of risk for the presence of subclinical hypothyroidism, and immune reconstitution has trends towards protection for the presence of thyroid diseases. .

Therapeutic effect and safety evaluation on 6-year highly active antiretroviral therapy for Chinese HIV-1 infected patients / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of nevirapine (NVP)-based regimens for HIV-infected Chinese patients in routine clinical practice.@*METHODS@#From October 2002 to May 2004, 57 HIV-1-infected patients commenced highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and were followed to December 2008. They originally received 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and nevirapine. HIV RNA levels, T lymphocyte subsets and safety were assessed. Blood routine test and main laboratory parameter changes were traced. If apparent side effects or virological failure appeared we would, if necessary, terminate the therapy or change the regimen.@*RESULTS@#Of the 57 subjects, 34 were followed-up for more than 4 years. After 5-6 years, 63.3% of the subjects (19/30) had HIV RNA levels<50 copies/microL, and the median increase in CD4(+) cell count from the baseline was 329 cells/microL. The mean decrease in CD8(+) cell count was 128 cells/microL. At the same time, the CD4(+) CD45RA+CD62L cell count and CD4(+)CD45RO(+) cell gradually increased, and the counts of CD8(+)CD38(+) cell declined gradually. These changes are apparent 2 years after HAART. The increase rate slowed down after 2 years. But they did not recover completely as well as healthy people at year 6. About 56% (32/57) of HIV-infected patients developed various drug-related side effects. The most common was gastrointestinal side effect, followed nervous disorder, baldness, and rashes, mostly happened in 6 months. Gamma-GT increased occurred in 29.8% of patients (17/57), and serum cholesterol and triglyceride elevated in 26.3% of the patients (15/57). Six patients developed lipodystrophy, mainly in female patients, and 25 patients showed abnormal blood picture and liver function, renal function changes and amylase elevation. Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in 3 cases (2 peripheral neuropathy, and 1 suspected lactic acidosis). One subject experienced grade 3 rashes.@*CONCLUSION@#Antiretroviral therapy with NVP-based regimens is safe and effective by suppressing HIV viremia and producing continued CD4 cell increases in subjects with HIV or AIDS for 6 years.

Desenvolvimento de formulações de comprimidos tamponados mastigáveis de didanosina com perfil de dissolução e capacidade neutralizante ácida otimizados / Development of didanosine chewable buffered tablets with optimized dissolution profile and acid neutralizing capacity.

Neste estudo buscou-se desenvolver formulações de comprimidos tamponados mastigáveis (CTM) de didanosina com eficiência de dissolução (ED%) e capacidade neutralizante ácida (CNA) otimizados, tendo como base o medicamento referência e especialidades farmacêuticas disponíveis no mercado nacional. Cinco formulações de CTM foram produzidas e avaliadas quanto a ED% e CNA, por meio de ensaio de dissolução e titulação ácido-base, respectivamente. Os resultados iniciais de CNA foram próximos aos encontrados para as especialidades farmacêuticas, aproximadamente 12 mEq HCl, porém distantes do medicamento referência (especialidade A, CNA = 17,93 mEq HCl). Já as formulações derivadas de CTM-4 conduziram à obtenção de comprimidos tamponados com CNA otimizada de aproximadamente 17,5 mEq HCl, o mesmo ocorrendo para ED%, (61,33% e 62,00%, CTM-4-2-1 e3, respectivamente). Esse resultado mostra-se próximo ao valor de 59,33% da especialidade A, quando utilizado o mesmo método de dissolução, indicando haver equivalência entre estas formulações e o medicamento referência para estes parâmetros.

The aim in this study was to develop chewable buffered tablets (CBT) of didanosine with optimized dissolution efficiency (DE) and acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC), using the reference medicine and other pharmaceutical didanosine products available in Brazil as models. Five CBT formulations were prepared and assessed for DE and ANC, through the dissolution test and acid-base titration, respectively. The initial ANC results fell short of those for the reference medicine (product A, ANC= 17.93 mEq HCl), but were close to those obtained for other pharmaceutical products (approximately 12 mEq HCl). The formulations derived from CBT-4 resulted in buffered tablets with an optimized ANC of 17.5 mEq HCl, approximately. The same was found for DE (61.33% and 62.00%, CBT-4-2-1 and CBT 3, respectively). This result proved to be close to that of product A (59.33%), when the same method was used for the dissolution test, indicating that both formulations and the reference medicine were equivalent with respect to these properties.

Screening of HIV-1 replication inhibitors by using pseudotyped virus system / 药学学报

This study is to establish a cell-based pharmacological model targeting HIV-1 replication for compounds screening and to screen compounds randomly selected from compounds library by using this pseudotyped viral system. The cell-based HIV-1 replication pharmacological model was set up by HIV-1 core packed with vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein. The level of HIV-1 replication was presented by reporter genes expression (luciferase activity or percentage of GFP positive cells). When a compound has inhibitory effect on VSVG/HIV model, VSVG/MLV model would be used to test for specificity. Vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein can efficiently mediate HIV core into a wide range of host cells. Expression level of reporter genes showed dose-dependent manner with virion dilution. Among 500 compounds, three compounds dose-dependently inhibit HIV-1 replication, but not MLV replication. VSVG/HIV pseudotyped viral system can be used as a pharmacological model for HIV-1 replication inhibitor screening. Compounds 2-methylthio-5-(4-methylbenzo)amido-l,3,4-thiadiazole, N-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl) propionamide, and N-(4-picolyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide can specifically inhibit HIV-1 replication with IC50 of 1.92, 5.38, and 3.39 micromol L(-1) respectively.

A new model for the population pharmacokinetics of didanosine in healthy subjects

Didanosine (ddI) is a component of highly active antiretroviral therapy drug combinations, used especially in resource-limited settings and in zidovudine-resistant patients. The population pharmacokinetics of ddI was evaluated in 48 healthy volunteers enrolled in two bioequivalence studies. These data, along with a set of co-variates, were the subject of a nonlinear mixed-effect modeling analysis using the NONMEM program. A two-compartment model with first order absorption (ADVAN3 TRANS3) was fitted to the serum ddI concentration data. Final pharmacokinetic parameters, expressed as functions of the co-variates gender and creatinine clearance (CL CR), were: oral clearance (CL = 55.1 + 240 x CL CR + 16.6 L/h for males and CL = 55.1 + 240 x CL CR for females), central volume (V2 = 9.8 L), intercompartmental clearance (Q = 40.9 L/h), peripheral volume (V3 = 62.7 + 22.9 L for males and V3 = 62.7 L for females), absorption rate constant (Ka = 1.51/h), and dissolution time of the tablet (D = 0.43 h). The intraindividual (residual) variability expressed as coefficient of variation was 13.0 percent, whereas the interindividual variability of CL, Q, V3, Ka, and D was 20.1, 75.8, 20.6, 18.9, and 38.2 percent, respectively. The relatively high (>30 percent) interindividual variability for some of these parameters, observed under the controlled experimental settings of bioequivalence trials in healthy volunteers, may result from genetic variability of the processes involved in ddI absorption and disposition.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de formas farmacêuticas sólidas contendo didanosina / Development and evaluationof solid dosage forms with didanosine

A Síndrome da Imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS) é uma doença de amplo espectro de manifestações, sendo razão de preocupação para qualquer autoridade sanitária. A terapêutica da AIDS é complexa sendo utilizados vários medicamentos, diversas vezes ao dia. Deste modo, objetivou-se o desenvolvimento de formas farmacêuticas sólidas como comprimidos tamponados mastigáveis (CTM), comprimidos com revestimento gastro-resistentes (CRGR) e pellets (PEL) para a veiculação de didanosina (ddl). Seis especialidades farmacêuticas na forma de CTM forma estudadas quanto ao perfil de dissolução, pH do meio e capacidade neutralizante ácida (CNA). Formulações teste de CTM foram propostas visando obter CNAs e perfis de dissolução adequados. Também foram testadas formulações de comprimidos e de pellets para posterior revestimento com filme gastro-resistente derivado do ácido metacrílico. Os ensaios de dissolução das amostras de CTM revelaram diferenças nas características de liberação do fármaco. Também foram observadas diferenças relacionadas a CNA. As formulações de CTM propostas apresentaram, na maioria dos casos, adequados perfis de dissolução e CNA. As formulações CRGR que receberam revestimento gastro-resistente apresentaram perfis de dissolução de ddl adequados, entretanto os comprimidos testados intumesceram em meio ácido, indicando descontinuidade do filme polimérico sobre os comprimidos. Testes para a produção de pellets veiculando ddl mostraram-se adequados quanto à morfologia e dissolução do fármaco, o mesmo sendo observado após o revestimento com filme gastro-resistente

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease that manifests itself in a myriad of ways. Because of this, the condition has been subject of concern to all sanitary authorities. The treatment of AIDS is complex and many types of medicine are used, many times a day. The objective of the present study was to develop solid pharmaceutical dosage forms such as buffered chewable tablets (CTM), gastro-resistant coating tablets (CRGR) and pellets (PEL) for the loading of didanosine (ddl). Six pharmaceutical specialties in the form of CTM were studied so as to identify the profile of the dissolution, the pH of the environment, and the neutralizing acid capacity (CNA). The use of CTM tests formulations was proposed with the objective of obtaining adequate CNA and dissolution profiles. Different compositions of tablets and pellets were tested for a later addition of gastro-resistant film derived from the methacrylic acid. The experiments on the dissolution of the sample of CTM showed differences in the characteristic of the release of the substance. Differences related to the CNA were also observed. The formulations of the CTM proposed showed to have, in the most number of the cases, both adequate dissolution behavior and CNA. The formulations of the CRGR that had received the gastro-resistant coating showed adequate profile of ddl dissolution; the tested tablets, however, swelled in the acid environment, therefore indicating a lack of continuity of the polymeric film over the tablets. The tests for the production of pellets showed adequate results as to its morphology and dissolution of ddl. The same was observed after coating the pellets with gastro-resistant film.

Therapeutic potential of chloroquine added to zidovudine plus didanosine for HIV-1 infected children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CHQ in a combination treatment with ZDV/ddI in HIV-1-infected children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty five HIV-infected children were randomly enrolled into 3 treatment groups: (I) ZDV + ddI (n = 25); and (II) ZDV + ddI + CHQ (n = 21); and (III) ZDV + ddI experienced children were non-randomly added CHQ (n = 9). Weight, CD4+ T-lymphocytes and plasma HIV-RNA were measured at weeks 0, 8 and 24. RESULTS: Fifteen, 16 and 8 children from Groups I, II and III were evaluated. No significant improvement in the mean Z-score for weight in groups I and II, but a decrease occurred in group III after 6 months of therapy. In group I, II and III, the respective change in the mean CD4+ T-lymphocyte percentage was +6.7, +4.0 and -0.6. The decrease in the plasma HIV-RNA log was 0.9, 1.1 and 0.7, respectively. There was a trend for more nausea/vomiting in group II/III and more opportunistic infections in group III. CONCLUSION: 1. The addition of chloroquine in ZDV/ddI regimen provided no significant improvement in clinical, immunological and virological parameters. 2. Chloroquine induced immunosuppression and nausea complicated its use.

T-cell response of advanced aids patients after highly active antiretroviral therapy / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the response on late stage Chinese AIDS patients after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From October 2002 to March 2004, 20 cases of late stage Chinese AIDS patients were selected to participate in this opened and randomised study, we purposely chose those with CD4+ T cell counts <100/mm3. All of them had one or two opportunistic infections and none had been treated with anti-HIV drugs. All patients were tested with CD4+ (naive CD4+ T cell defined by CD45RA+ and CD62L+, memory CD4+ T cell defined by CD45RA-), CD8+ T cell, plasma HIV viral load, and clinical manifestations on before, during, and after HAART (5 different regimes) on 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before HAART mean CD4+ T cell counts were 32 +/- 31 (range 2-91)/mm3, and plasma HIV viral load were 5.07 +/- 0.85 (range 2.04-5.70) log copies/mL. In 1 month's time patients treated with HAART had mean CD4+ and CD8 T cell counts increasing rapidly. After 1 month the increasing speed turned to slow down, but HIV viral load decreased predominantly within the first 3 months. The major part of increasing CD4+ T cells were memory CD4+ T cells, as fol naive CD4+ T cells increasing low and slow. Clinical symptoms and signs improved, and opportunistic infections reduced. The quality of life will be far much better than before. Each patient was followed for 12 months, and had finished 12 months' HAART.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This is the first report in China that late stage Chinese AIDS patients after HAART could have their immune reconstitution. The regular pattern is similar to what had been reported in Western countries and also in China. So it is worth to treat late stage Chinese AIDS patients with HAART.</p>

Adverse Effects of Antiretroviral Drugs on HIV-infected Koreans / 감염과화학요법

PURPOSE: Antiretroviral toxicity is an increasingly important issue in the management of HIV-infected individuals. However, adverse effects and long term safety in Koreans are hardly known. We evaluated the incidence of adverse effects of various antiretroviral drugs in Koreans, and difference among races was also studied. METHODS: One hundred and twenty six Koreans with HIV infection and AIDS treated with antiretroviral drugs at Yonsei University College of Medicine from 1992 to 2002 were investigated. We analyzed the prevalence of adverse effects of various drugs. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects at initial treatment was 34.4 8.3 years. One hundred and twelve subjects were male, and 14 subjects were female. Adverse effects were found in 40 subjects (33.3%) out of 120 subjects who received zidovudine. The prevalence of adverse effects of didanosine and indinavir were 48.3% (14 out of 29 subjects) and 57.9% (66 of 114 subjects), respectively. Frequent toxicities of the subjects who received zidovudine were bone marrow suppression (13.3%), followed by gastrointestinal intolerance (11.7%), headache (4.2%), and hepatic dysfunction (2.5%). Frequent toxicities of the subjects who received didanosine were gastrointestinal intolerance (24.1%), followed by diarrhea (13.8%), rash (3.4%), peripheral neuropathy (3.4%), and pancreatitis (3.4%). Adverse effects of indinavir were as follows: hyperbilirubinemia (37.7%), flank pain (21.1%), gastrointestinal intolerance (6.1%), and lipodystrophy (5.3%). The main adverse effect of efavirenz was impaired concentration (27.3%). The overall incidence of adverse effects from antiretroviral drugs was 64.3% (81 out of 126 subjects) in HIV-infected Koreans. Change of antiretroviral regimens was inevitable in 36 subjects (28.6%). In most cases, the subjects recovered from adverse effects by conservative management. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of toxicity profiles in various races in the management of long term treatment with antiretroviral drugs, since the toxicity hazards of these drugs may easily outshadow the success of antiretroviral therapy.

Adverse Effects of Antiretroviral Drugs on HIV-infected Koreans / 감염과화학요법

PURPOSE: Antiretroviral toxicity is an increasingly important issue in the management of HIV-infected individuals. However, adverse effects and long term safety in Koreans are hardly known. We evaluated the incidence of adverse effects of various antiretroviral drugs in Koreans, and difference among races was also studied. METHODS: One hundred and twenty six Koreans with HIV infection and AIDS treated with antiretroviral drugs at Yonsei University College of Medicine from 1992 to 2002 were investigated. We analyzed the prevalence of adverse effects of various drugs. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects at initial treatment was 34.4 8.3 years. One hundred and twelve subjects were male, and 14 subjects were female. Adverse effects were found in 40 subjects (33.3%) out of 120 subjects who received zidovudine. The prevalence of adverse effects of didanosine and indinavir were 48.3% (14 out of 29 subjects) and 57.9% (66 of 114 subjects), respectively. Frequent toxicities of the subjects who received zidovudine were bone marrow suppression (13.3%), followed by gastrointestinal intolerance (11.7%), headache (4.2%), and hepatic dysfunction (2.5%). Frequent toxicities of the subjects who received didanosine were gastrointestinal intolerance (24.1%), followed by diarrhea (13.8%), rash (3.4%), peripheral neuropathy (3.4%), and pancreatitis (3.4%). Adverse effects of indinavir were as follows: hyperbilirubinemia (37.7%), flank pain (21.1%), gastrointestinal intolerance (6.1%), and lipodystrophy (5.3%). The main adverse effect of efavirenz was impaired concentration (27.3%). The overall incidence of adverse effects from antiretroviral drugs was 64.3% (81 out of 126 subjects) in HIV-infected Koreans. Change of antiretroviral regimens was inevitable in 36 subjects (28.6%). In most cases, the subjects recovered from adverse effects by conservative management. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of toxicity profiles in various races in the management of long term treatment with antiretroviral drugs, since the toxicity hazards of these drugs may easily outshadow the success of antiretroviral therapy.

A experiência de um laboratório oficial e desenvolvimento e validação de uma metodologia para análise de teor de didanosina comprimido: ferramenta para as boas práticas de fabricação / The experience of an official laboratory and development and validation of a methodology for analysis of text of compressed didanosine: tool for the good production practices

A Didanosina (2’,3’– didesoxiinosina), também denominada ddI, medicamento anti-retroviral, que compõe a terapia combinada utilizada no tratamento da Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (aids), pertence à classe dos inibidores da enzima transcriptase reversa análogo de nucleosídeo (ITRN). Inicialmente, o presente estudo discutiu a importância de garantir o acesso e a qualidade dos medicamentos, a partir do fomento da Indústria Farmacêutica Nacional, em especial dos Laboratórios Nacionais, aumentando a oferta de medicamentos e contribuindo para a queda de preços, através da concorrência de mercado. Lembrando que garantir acesso apenas com fomento à produção tem alcance limitado, dessa forma discutiu ainda a importância de fomentar a indústria farmoquímica. Lembrou também, que para garantir o acesso e a qualidade, há necessidade de regulamentar as atividades, envolvidas na produção, comércio e distribuição de medicamentos, por intermédio do controle sanitário, através das ações da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, destacando a validação da metodologia analítica, parte essencial das boas práticas de fabricação e controle, como ferramenta fundamental para o controle da qualidade dos medicamentos distribuídos no mercado, permitindo avaliar objetivamente a qualidade dos mesmos, a fim de garantir sua segurança e eficácia. Ao incluir a história de desenvolvimento e produção de anti-retrovirais vivida pelos profissionais do Instituto Vital Brasil, destacou a necessidade urgente de investimento nos Laboratórios Oficiais, tanto para o desenvolvimento tecnológico como a capacitação de recursos humanos, frente ao papel que estes laboratórios desempenham para a saúde pública, como também, para uma constante atualização e modernização, tanto de equipamentos como de procedimentos, a fim de atender às normas, legislação sanitária, cada vez mais exigentes. Lembrando que não adianta apenas regulamentar as atividades de produção de medicamentos, sem efetivamente implementar uma política concreta de investimentos, que viabilize os Laboratórios Oficiais cumprir a legislação sanitária vigente.A metodologia analítica desenvolvida, para análise de teor do comprimido de Didanosina, baseia-se na cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) em fase reversa, com detecção pelo ultravioleta, foi considerada validada, sendo: específica, linear, exata e precisa nos níveis de repetitividade e precisão intermediária

Descrição da variabilidade individual da cinética da didanosina por modelos de efeitos mistos / Description individual variability kinetics of the didanosine for models of the mixed effects

Neste estudo foram utilizados dados oriundos de um estudo de bioequivalência para estimar a variabilidade individual na resposta farmacológica da didanosina (ddI). A utilização desses dados permite estimar parâmetros farmacocinéticos livres de interferência de doença, alimentação, medicamentos concomitantes e outros fatores que estão presentes em dados originados na rotina clínica. O cálculo do componente genético (RGC) foi feito para cada parâmetro.A ddI é um dos anti-retrovirais que compõem os esquemas de HAART. A variabilidade da resposta farmacológica é um possível fator na ocorrência da falha terapêutica. O objetivo desse estudo é mostrar que mesmo em indivíduos saudáveis existe uma fonte de variabilidade individual que é responsável pelas diferentes respostas a um mesmo fármaco. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos da ddI foram estimados por um modelo não linear de efeitos mistos. O programa de computador NONMEM foi utilizado para construção desse modelo. Esta dissertação está apresentada em 4 partes: a primeira é uma introdução ao problema; a segunda descreve as etapas da construção do modelo; a terceira é o artigo apresentando um modelo que descreve a farmacocinética de população da ddI em indivíduos saudáveis e a quarta parte é a consideração final. Os resultados encontrados nesse estudo mostram que o sexo e o peso são variáveis que influenciam a variabilidade na resposta a ddI. Mesmo controlando-se por essas variáveis, existe uma necessidade de utilizar efeitos aleatórios para descrever a variabilidade interindividual. Os parâmetros e apresentaram maior variabilidade devido a fatores genéticos. Esse estudo também mostrou que a transformação logarítmica não foi suficiente para obter a normalização dos efeitos aleatórios, utilizado como pressuposto pelo NONMEM. Outras opções para estruturas da distribuição dos efeitos aleatórios devem ser exploradas.Dados originados dos estudos de bioequivalência permitem diminuir a variabilidade causada por fatores externos. Sendo assim, é possível associar a variabilidade interindividual encontrada a fatores genéticos. Um futuro estudo para tentar correlacionar a variabilidade encontrada no fenótipo com a presença de alguma alteração no P450 tornaria mais evidente a causa da variabilidade por fatores genéticos.

Significant differences between plasma HIV-1 RNA assays in HIV-1 subtype E infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy.

A total of 72 HIV-1 infected Thai patients treated with didanosine (ddI) or stavudine (d4T) plus ddI at the time of interim analysis were analyzed. Sixty patients (83%) carried subtype E documented by HIV-1 V3 serotyping. HIV-1 RNA levels were measured using three commercial viral load assays. At baseline (n = 57), Quantiplex 2.0 and NucliSens 2.0 showed mean log10 HIV-1 RNA of 0.7 log10 or 5 fold lower than Amplicor 1.5 (mean 4.29 versus 5.0 log10, respectively, p < 0.001). At week 20 of treatment (n = 29), HIV-1 RNA levels were detected in 55.2%, 31%, and 33.5% of subjects tested by Amplicor 1.5, Quantiplex 2.0, and NucliSens 2.0, respectively. In conclusion: plasma HIV-1 RNA analyses showed comparable values with Quantiplex 2.0 and NucliSens 2.0 assays. In contrast, Amplicor 1.5 resulted in approximately 5 folds higher HIV-1 RNA levels and a 25% higher rate of detection of plasma HIV-1 RNA as compared to the other two assays. As the current goal of therapy is to suppress plasma viral load below the detection limit of the assays, the significant differences between the assays may influence antiretroviral efficacy evaluation and management.

Toxicidade dose e tempo dependente da 2', 3' - didesoxiinosina em pâncreas, linfonodo e timo de rato / Toxicity dose-and time-dependent 2 ', 3'- dideoxyinosine in pancreas, lymph node and thymus mouse

O anti-retroviral análogo de nucleosídeo 2',3' - didesoxiinosina (ddl) tem uma ampla utilização clínica no tratamento de pacientes com AIDS iu HIV positivos. Apesar da toxicidade reduzida, alguns problemas tem sido levantados com a utilização da ddl em tratamento a longo prazo. Vários estudo clínicos tem associado a pancreatite com a terapia prolongada de ddl em pacientes infectados com o HIV...Nenhum tratamento com ddl modificou a amilase sérica determinada na época do sacrifício dos animais. Nos ratos tratados com ddl, 600 mg kg -1 dia -1, por mais de 28 dias foi observada uma marcada hipoglicemia (i.p. = 34,7 +- 7,4 mgdL-1 p,,0,05, s.c.= 45,0 +- 7,5 mg dL -1, p,,0,05). Conclui-se que a ddl induz um efeito tóxico direto dose e tempo dependente nos tecidos pancreático e linfóide de rato. Os resultados suportam o envolvimento da ddl na pancreatite relatada em pacientes com AIDS tratados com ddl e são compatíveis com a hipótese de que esse anti-retroviral pode afetar a resposta imune humoral. No conjunto, este estudo indica que a toxicidade potencial do tratamento crônico com ddl deve ser mais profundamente examinada.