Análisis farmacogenético retrospectivo de una paciente pediátrica en tratamiento anticoagulante: caso clínico / Retrospective pharmacogenetic analysis of a pediatric patient under anticoagulant treatment: Clinical case

Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 10 años diagnosticada con miocardiopatía dilatada, quien registró valores en el índice internacional normalizado (International Normalized Ratio, INR) superiores a 10 con la dosis estándar de acenocumarol, además de otros valores que indicaban el estado incoagulable, lo que obligó a suspender y reiniciar el tratamiento en varias ocasiones. Después de más de 30 días de tratamiento, sorprendentemente se lograron los niveles esperados y estables en el INR con la mitad de la dosis recomendada para una paciente de su edad y peso.Se decidió hacer un análisis farmacogenético retrospectivo del caso mediante RT-PCR con sondas TaqMan™ que incluyó cinco polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido y distinto grado de asociación con la dosis-respuesta a los fármacos antivitamínicos K (AVK): rs2108622 (gen CYP4F2), rs9923231, rs7294 (gen VKORC1), rs1799853 y rs1057910 (gen CYP2C9). La paciente resultó ser homocigota para el rs9923231 (VKORC1) y heterocigota para el rs2108622 (CYP4F2). Se ha evidenciado a nivel nacional e internacional que este perfil genético está fuertemente asociado con una necesidad de dosis menores de antivitamínicos K.En conclusión, el análisis farmacogenético confirmó que la condición genética de la paciente, la cual conlleva una baja expresión de la enzima VKORC1 (blanco terapéutico de los antivitamínicos K), hacía predecible la necesidad de una dosis menor a la establecida según los protocolos clínicos recomendados por la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) y PharmGKB™ para los fármacos cumarínicos. El análisis genotípico previo de la paciente hubiese permitido alcanzar el rango terapéutico más prontamente, evitando potenciales riesgos de hemorragia, lo que demuestra la importancia de los análisis farmacogenéticos en tratamientos de gran variabilidad y estrecho rango terapéutico.

Abstract We present the clinical case of a 10-year-old patient diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy who registered INR values above 10 upon receiving standard doses of acenocoumarol, as well as other values reported as uncoagulable, forcing the discontinuation and restart of treatment more than once. Expected and stable INR levels were achieved after more than 30 days of treatment, surprisingly with half the recommended dose for a patient of her age and weight. We decided to conduct a retrospective pharmacogenomic analysis including nucleotide genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) with different degrees of association with the dose/response to antivitamin K (AVK) drugs: rs2108622 (gene CYP4F2), rs9923231, rs7294 (gene VKORC1), rs1799853, and rs1057910 (CYP2C9 gene) using TaqMan® RT-PCR. The patient was homozygous for rs9923231 (VKORC1) and heterozygous for rs2108622 (CYP4F2), a genetic profile strongly associated with a requirement of lower AVK doses as shown by national and international evidence. In conclusion, the pharmacogenetic analysis confirmed that this patient's genetic conditions, involving low expression of the VKA therapeutic target, required a lower dose than that established in clinical protocols as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the PharmGKB® for coumarin drugs. A previous genotypic analysis of the patient would have allowed reaching the therapeutic range sooner, thus avoiding potential bleeding risks. This shows the importance of pharmacogenetic analyses for highly variable treatments with a narrow therapeutic range.

Análisis y consideraciones técnicas acerca de dispositivos intrauterinos de levonorgestrel para la evaluación de productos similares y genéricos / Analysis and technical considerations about levonorgestrel intrauterine devices for the evaluation of generic and similar products

Los dispositivos intrauterinos hormonales de levonorgestrel son métodos anticonceptivos seguros y eficaces. Al igual que los medicamentos convencionales, una vez expirada la patente, las autoridades regulatorias de salud pueden aprobar el registro de productos similares. El objetivo de ello es disminuir los costos, considerando el elevado precio del producto original. Este tipo de productos están regulados y se aplican requisitos generales similares a los medicamentos tradicionales para demostración de seguridad y eficacia. Las propiedades mecánicas únicas del producto de referencia plantean un gran desafío a los productos similares. El presente artículo analiza de manera comparativa las características de los diversos sistemas intrauterinos hormonales de levonorgestrel, disponibles en el mercado. La autoridad sanitaria y los diversos centros clínicos deben considerar que en este tipo de productos no hay, hasta la fecha en el mundo, genéricos intercambiables y que por lo tanto, se debe decidir la intercambiabilidad de éstos sobre la base de estudios de bioequivalencia in vivo, luego de la demostración de equivalencia farmacéutica in vitro, tal y como sugiere la FDA, o en su defecto deberían ser registrados como productos nuevos, con estudios clínicos apropiados que demuestren seguridad y eficacia.

Levonorgestrel hormonal intrauterine systems are safe and effective contraceptive methods. Like conventional drugs, once the patent expires, health regulatory authorities can approve the registration of similar products. The objective of this is to reduce costs, considering the high price of the original product. These types of products are regulated as drugs and similar general requirements apply to traditional drugs for demonstration of safety and efficacy. The unique mechanical properties of the reference product pose a great challenge to similar products. This article comparatively analyzes the characteristics of the various levonorgestrel hormonal intrauterine systems available on the market. Therefore, the health authority and clinical centers must consider that up to date, there are no interchangeable generics in this type of products worldwide. Thus, their interchangeability must be decided on the basis of in vivo bioequivalence studies after the demonstration of in vitro pharmaceutical equivalence, as suggested by the FDA. Without that, they should be registered as new products, with appropriate clinical studies that demonstrate safety and efficacy.

Impacto de la atención farmacéutica en la calidad del tratamiento con acenocumarol en pacientes con fibrilación auricular / Effects of pharmaceutical counseling on the effectiveness of anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background: Vitamin K antagonists such as acenocoumarol and warfarin are usually indicated for the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (AF). The Therapeutic Range Time (TRT) is a quality of treatment indicator. Values greater than 65% are associated with significantly lower stroke and bleeding rates. Proper pharmaceutical care improves TRT. Aim: To evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical care in patients with AF treated with acenocoumarol. Material and Methods: We studied 41 patients using acenocoumarol for AF aged 71 ± 11 years (43% women). They received pharmaceutical counseling during 12 weeks. TRT was calculated retrospectively for the year before counseling and prospectively during the intervention period. Results: After receiving pharmaceutical counseling TRT improved from 29% at baseline to 46% at the end of the intervention (p < 0.01). After pharmaceutical care, the adherence of patients to drug treatment improved from 27% at baseline to 85% at the end of the study. The user satisfaction survey of the pharmaceutical care received showed a high degree of patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Pharmaceutical care in patients with oral anticoagulant treatment improves TRT of anticoagulation. It is accepted and positively evaluated by patients.

NOD1 rs2075820 (p.E266K) polymorphism is associated with gastric cancer among individuals infected with cagPAI-positive H. pylori

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is detected by pathogen recognition receptors including toll-like receptors (TLR) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors, eliciting an innate immune response against this bacteria. The aim of this study was to assess if polymorphisms of TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, NOD1 and NOD2 genes are associated with gastric cancer, in particular in individuals infected with H. pylori. RESULTS: A case-control study of 297 gastric cancer patients and 300 controls was performed to assess the association of 17 polymorphisms. Analyses performed under the allele model did not find association with gastric cancer. However, NOD1 rs2075820 (p.E266K) showed association with intestinal-type gastric cancer among H. pylori infected subjects (OR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.41-5.13, p = 0.0026). The association was not statistically significant in diffuse-type gastric cancer cases (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 0.63-2.52, p = 0.51). When the analyses were performed in patients carrying H. pylori strains harboring the cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), we noticed significant association with NOD1 rs2075820 (OR = 4.90, 95% CI 1.80-3.36, p = 0.0019), in particular for intestinal-type gastric cancer cases (OR = 7.16, 95% CI 2.40-21.33, p = 4.1 × 10- 4) but not among diffuse-type gastric cancer cases (OR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.13-0.10, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: NOD1 rs2075820 increases the risk of intestinal-type gastric cancer among individuals infected with H. pylori, particularly in those harboring the cagPAI.

Estudio comparativo de equipos INR capilar "point of care" versus INR venoso, en pacientes en tratamiento con antagonistas de vitamina K / Comparison of point of care capillary international normalized ratio (INR) with INR measured in venous samples

Background: INR is used to monitor the treatment with vitamin K antagonists. A strategy to reduce waiting times for sampling is to measure INR in a capillary sample using a portable point of care (POC) type coagulometer. Aim: To evaluate the correlation of CoaguChek Pro II™, Xprecia™ and microINR™ with venous INR measured at the clinical laboratory and their ease of use. Materials and Methods: Patients provided capillary and venous blood samples for parallel tests comparing Xprecia™ Stride with CoaguChek Pro II™ and with venous INR, microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM and with venous INR. The devices' ease of use was assessed surveying the sampling staff. Results: The three tested devices had good correlation coefficients with venous INR: CoaguChek Pro IITM 0.953 and 0.962; Xprecia™ of 0.912 and microINR™ of 0.932. The correlation coefficient of Xprecia™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.937 and microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.976. Conclusions: CoaguChek Pro IITM, Xprecia™ and microINR™ results had a good correlation coefficient with INR measured at the laboratory. Our results indicate that, in the hands of trained users, POC-type coagulometers are reliable and acceptable for routine use in anticoagulant treatment control.

Estudio de las variantes alélicas CYP2C9*2 y CYP2C9*3 en muestras de población mestiza peruana / Study of the allelic variants CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 in samples of the Peruvian mestizo population

Resumen Introducción. El citocromo CYP2C9 metaboliza, aproximadamente, el 15 % de los fármacos prescritos. Su gen presenta alelos cuyas frecuencias difieren entre grupos étnicos y poblaciones. Los alelos CYP2C9*2 y CYP2C9*3 dan cuenta de una enzima con actividad disminuida cuya frecuencia no ha sido determinada en la población mestiza peruana. Objetivo. Caracterizar la frecuencia de las variantes *2 (rs1799853) y *3 (rs1057910) del gen CYP2C9 en muestras de población mestiza peruana provenientes de Lima, Tacna y Junín. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo, observacional y prospectivo, con muestreo no probabilístico, por conveniencia e incidental. Se incluyeron 218 sujetos según los criterios de inclusión y exclusión; todos los participantes otorgaron su consentimiento informado. El ADN genómico se obtuvo mediante hisopado de mucosa oral, y la detección de los genotipos para los alelos CYP2C9*2 y CYP2C9*3 se hizo mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en tiempo real, utilizando sondas TaqMan™. Resultados. Las variantes de CYP2C9*2 y CYP2C9*3 están presentes en la población mestiza peruana con frecuencias de 0,046 y 0,062, respectivamente. El análisis de las frecuencias genotípicas observadas permitió predecir que la frecuencia de fenotipos metabolismo intermedio sería del 15,13 % (CYP2C9*1/*2: 5,96 %; CYP2C9*1/*3: 9,17 %), y la de fenotipos de metabolismo lento, del 3,22 % (CYP2C9*2/*2: 1,38 %; CYP2C9*3/*3: 1,38 %; CYP2C9*2/*3: 0,46 %). Conclusiones. Se lograron determinar las frecuencias genotípicas y alélicas para las variantes *2 y *3 del gen CYP2C9 en una muestra no probabilística de población mestiza peruana. Las frecuencias obtenidas (0,046 y 0,062, respectivamente) están entre las esperadas para una población mestiza sudamericana con ascendencia amerindia, europea, africana y asiática.

Abstract Introduction: CYP2C9 metabolizes approximately 15% of the prescribed drugs. Its gene has alleles whose frequencies differ between ethnic groups and populations. The alleles CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 account for an enzyme with decreased activity and their frequencies have not been determined in the Peruvian mestizo population. Objective: To characterize the frequencies of the allelic variants *2 (rs1799853) and *3 (rs1057910) of CYP2C9 gen in the Peruvian mestizo population from Lima, Tacna y Junín. Materials and methods: We conducted an observational, prospective cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic, by convenience, and incidental sampling. We included 218 subjects according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, all of whom had signed the informed consent. We obtained the genomic DNA from oral mucosa swab. For the detection of the CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 genotypes, we used real-time-polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan® probes. Results: The genotyping revealed that CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 variants have low frequencies (0.046 and 0.062, respectively). The frequency of intermediate metabolizers was 15.13% (CYP2C9*1/*2: 5.96%; CYP2C9*1/*3: 9.17%) and that of slow metabolizers was 3.22% (CYP2C9*2/*2: 1.38%; CYP2C9*3/*3: 1.38%; CYP2C9*2/*3: 0.46%). Conclusions: It was possible to determine the genotypic and allelic frequencies for the variants *2 and *3 of the CYP2C9 gene in a non-probabilistic sample of the Peruvian mestizo population. The frequencies obtained (0.046 and 0.062, respectively) corresponded to those expected for a South American mestizo population with Amerindian, European, African and Asian ancestry.

Farmacogenética, tabaco, alcohol y su efecto sobre el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer / Pharmacogenetics, tobacco, alcohol and its effect on the risk development cancer

El cáncer es la segunda causa de muerte en el mundo, según datos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) en el año 2015 ocasionó 8,8 millones de muertes. Dentro de los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de cáncer se encuentran el tabaquismo y el consumo de alcohol. En Chile el 33,6% de la población fuma y un 21,2 % de los jóvenes. El consumo de alcohol en la población chilena es de 74,5 % y en los jóvenes de un 12,2 %. Entre los factores fisiológicos que influyen en el desarrollo de cáncer, el factor genético juega un rol relevante, habiéndose demostrado que la presencia de polimorfismos genéticos alteran la capacidad del organismo de eliminar contaminantes y aumentan el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer. Lo mismo ocurre con polimorfismos que impiden la reparación de ADN debido a daños producidos por efecto de contaminantes ambientales como el humo de cigarrillo. El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar el estado del arte de la relación entre farmacogenética, tabaco y alcohol como factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de cáncer. Los resultados sugieren que la presencia de po limorfismos que alteran la función de enzimas de biotransformación fase I (CYP1A1, CYP1E1) y fase II (GST), además de polimorfismos en enzimas de reparación del ADN (ERCC1/ERCC2) aumentan el riesgo de cáncer inducido por el hábito tabáquico y alcohólico. Esta asociación es importante, si consideramos que en la población chilena el hábito de fumar y beber alcohol es altamente prevalente.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, causing 8.8 million deaths in 2015 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Risk factors for cancer include smoking and alcohol con sumption. In Chile, 33.6% of the population and 21.2% of young people smokes. Alcohol consump tion in the Chilean population is 74.5% and 12.2% in young people. Among the physiological factors that influence the development of cancer, the genetic factor plays a relevant role. It has been shown that the presence of genetic polymorphisms that alter the ability of the body to eliminate contami nants increase the risk of developing cancer. The same applies to polymorphisms that prevent DNA repair due to damage caused by environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke. The objective of this review is to analyze the state of the art of the relationship between pharmacogenetics, smoking, and alcohol consumption as risk factors for the development of cancer. In conclusion, the results suggest that the presence of polymorphisms that alter the function of biotransformation enzymes phase I (CYP1A1, CYP1E1) and phase II (GST), as well as polymorphisms in DNA repair enzymes (ERCC1 / ERCC2), increase the risk of cancer induced by smoking and alcohol consumption. This association is important considering that smoking and drinking alcohol are highly prevalent among the Chilean population.

Farmacogenómica como herramienta fundamental para la medicina personalizada: aplicaciones en la práctica clínica / Clinical applications of pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics is an emergent field aimed at tailoring pharmacological therapy. Genetic polymorphisms can modify the expression and function of enzymes and proteins involved in drug metabolism, affecting absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion as well as the drug-target interaction. Therefore, the presence of allelic variants will classify people as poor, extensive or rapid/ultra rapid metabolizers, modifying drug efficacy and safety. In this work, the state of art in relation to this discipline is presented and the genetic variants of enzymes that are involved in drug pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics are described. The effects of these variants on the therapeutic response to drugs used in our country are also discussed.

Situación del cáncer en Chile 2000 – 2010 / Cancer status in Chile 2000 – 2010

La situación epidemiológica de mortalidad en Chile en el año 2010, muestra que el cáncer ocupa el segundo lugar dentro de las causas de muerte. La prevalencia nacional para cáncer es un 24,6 por ciento y se observa una prevalencia mayor en las regiones de Antofagasta (29,0 por ciento), Coquimbo (26,2 por ciento), Valparaíso (25,5 por ciento) y Región Metropolitana (25,1 por ciento). Además, en las Regiones de Arica y Parinacota y Antofagasta, el cáncer es la primera causa de muerte, con un 22,4 por ciento y un 29,0 por ciento, respectivamente. El análisis de las tasas de seis de los cánceres más prevalentes en nuestro país: estómago, mama, próstata, pulmón, vesícula y colon por región de norte a sur, muestra que la región de Valparaíso y desde Maule hasta Magallanes, tienen tasas de cáncer de estómago superiores a la media nacional. Se aprecia además quela tasa de cáncer de próstata es mayor a la media nacional en las regiones de Valparaíso y desde Maule a Los Ríos. Con respecto a cáncer a pulmón, las regiones de Arica y Parinacota, Antofagasta, Atacama, Valparaíso, Metropolitana de Santiago y Aisén presentan tasas mayores al promedio del país. En general, los datos muestran que la región de Valparaíso presenta tasas de cáncer superiores al promedio del país en 13 de los 16 cánceres analizados en este documento, le sigue la región de Los Ríos con 12 y finalmente Aisén con 9. De acuerdo al perfil epidemiológico y las relaciones de causalidad descritas para el cáncer en Chile, podemos sugerir que las recomendaciones de salud pública para la prevención de este mal en Chile deberían considerar, además de la limitación del consumo de bebidas alcohólicas y la restricción del hábito tabáquico, una serie de factores que abordan la problemática general con recomendaciones simples pero efectivas, tales como las sugeridas por la OMS. Sin perjuicio de lo anterior, es importante realizar estudios epidemiológicos y clínicos que incorporen...

The epidemiological situation of the mortality in Chile in the year 2010 shows that cancer ranks second among death causes. Cancer rates in Antofagasta (29.0 percent), Coquimbo (26.2 percent), Valparaiso (25.5 percent) and Metropolitan (25.1 percent) regions are higher than the country average (24.6 percent). In addition, in Arica and Parinacota, and Antofagasta, cancer is the first cause of death, with 22.4 percent and 29.0 percent, respectively. Data of six more prevalent cancers (2008 to 2010): Stomach, Breast, Prostate, Lung, Bladder and Colon along the country. In Valparaiso and from Maule to Magallanes there are rates of Stomach cancer higher than the national average. The rate of Prostate cancer is higher than the national average in Valparaiso and from Maule to Los Ríos. In relation to Lung cancer the regions of Arica and Parinacota, Antofagasta, Atacama, Valparaiso, Metropolitan of Santiago and Aisén present rates higher than the national rate. In summary, the Valparaiso region presents rates of cancer higher than the average of the country in 13 of 16 cancers analyzed in this document, following by Los Ríos with 12 and finally Aisén with 9. According to the epidemiological profile and causality relationships for cancer in Chile, we suggest that public health recommendations for cancer prevention should consider, besides limitation of alcohol/drinking and restriction of the smoking habit, additional simple but effective recommendations to address general problematic, as for example those suggested by the WHO. Furthermore, it is important to do epidemiological and clinical studies that incorporate environmental and dietary factors of our country and genetics in the specific regions where some cancers have major prevalence.

Influence of CYP3A4/5 polymorphisms in the pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel: a pilot study / Influencia de polimorfismos genéticos de CYP3A4/5 en la farmacocinética de levonorgestrel: estudio piloto

Introduction.Levonorgestrel a synthetic progestagen used for endometriosis, dysmenorrhea and emergency contraception, is quickly and completely absorbed in the digestive tract. levonorgestrel is predominantly metabolised through hepatic routes that utilise the CYP3A system (CYP3A4 and CYP3A5). Objective.This study aimed to evaluate the association between variant alleles of CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3 polymorphisms and the pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel. Materials and methods. A group of 17 adult female healthy volunteers who signed an informed consent were genotyped for CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 through PCR-RFLP. Volunteers were submitted to pharmacokinetic analysis where, after a 12-hour overnight fast, they received a single oral dose of 0.75 mg of levonorgestrel. Serial blood samples were obtained (0 to 24 hours), and levonorgestrel concentrations were determined by UPLC-MS/MS to determine pharmacokinetic parameters. The procedures employed herein were performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practices standards. Results. Observed genotype frequencies in the studied group for CYP3A4*1B were 11.8% for *1B/*1B, 5.8% for *1/*1B and 82.4% for *1/*1. CYP3A5*3 frequencies were 70.5% for *3/*3, 23.5% for *1/*3 and 6.5% for *1/*1. A high pharmacokinetic variability between volunteers was observed, but no statistical association of pharmacokinetic parameters was found within the studied CYP3A4/5 polymorphisms. Conclusions. Genetic polymorphisms could be important factors in determining inter-patient variability in plasma levonorgestrel concentrations, which in this study were not significantly associated with the presence of CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3 polymorphisms. Therefore, due to the significant inter-patient variability that we observed during the course of this study, it is necessary to carry out studies with larger number of volunteers.

Introducción. El levonorgestrel, un progestágeno sintético usado para endometriosis, dismenorrea y anticoncepción de emergencia, es rápida y completamente absorbido en el tubo digestivo. Su metabolismo es principalmente hepático, mediante las enzimas CYP3A4 y CYP3A5. Objetivo. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la asociación entre la farmacocinética de levonorgestrel y las variantes alélicas de CYP3A4*1B y CYP3A5*3. Materiales y métodos. En un grupo de 17 mujeres adultas sanas, que firmaron un consentimiento informado, se practicó genotipificación para CYP3A4*1B y CYP3A5*3 mediante PCR. Posteriormente, las voluntarias fueron sometidas a un estudio farmacocinético donde, luego de 12 horas de ayuno, recibieron una dosis de 0,75 mg de levonorgestrel. Se extrajeron muestras sanguíneas seriadas (0 a 24 horas) y se determinaron las concentraciones de levonorgestrel mediante un método validado de UPLC-ms/ms, para luego obtener los parámetros farmacocinéticos. Todos los procedimientos consideraron los aspectos éticos de la Declaración de Helsinki y las buenas prácticas clínicas. Resultados. Las frecuencias genotípicas observadas para el grupo de estudio fueron 11,8 % para *1B/*1B; 5,8 % para *1/*1B, y 82,4 % para *1/*1 de CYP3A4*1B. Para CYP3A5*3, las frecuencias genotípicas fueron 70,5 % para *3/*3; 23,5 % para *1/*3, y 6,5 % para *1/*1. Se observa una interesante variabilidad entre las voluntarias que sugiere una relación con las variantes genéticas CYP3A, pero que no permite establecer una asociación estadísticamente significativa, presumiblemente debido al bajo número de individuos homocigotos mutados de CYP3A4 y silvestres de CYP3A5. Conclusiones. Los polimorfismos genéticos podrían ser factores relevantes en la determinación de la variabilidad entre pacientes en las concentraciones plasmáticas de levonorgestrel, lo cual, sin embargo, no pudo ser establecido estadísticamente en este estudio. Por lo tanto, resulta necesario continuar este tipo de estudios con mayor número de voluntarios para establecer una asociación entre la variabilidad observada y la presencia de estos polimorfismos.

Variantes genéticas de CYP2A6 y su relación con la dependencia tabáquica y el hábito de fumar en una muestra individuos chilenos: Un estudio piloto / Relation of genetic variants of CYP2A6 with tobacco dependence and smoking habit in Chilean subjects: A pilot study

Background: Genetic and metabolic factors associated with nicotine metabolism may be related to smoking behavior. Aim: To assess the prevalence of allelic and genotype variants of CYP2A6 in a sample of Chilean subjects and to evaluate their relationship with smoking and tobacco dependence. Material and Methods: The genotype frequencies for *2, *3 and *4 of CYP2A6*1 (wild type) gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 54 volunteers. Addiction to tobacco was evaluated using the Fagerstrom Test. The association between the presence of allelic variants of CYP2A6 and smoking and tobacco dependence was evaluated with chi square test. Results: The prevalence of *1, *2 (wt/*2), *3 (wt/*3 or *31*3) and *4 (del/del) were 92.6%, 3.7%, 0% y 3.7%, respectively. No significant association was observed between being a carrier of a variant genotype of CYP2A6 and smoking or tobacco dependence. Conclusions: In this sample of Chilean individuals we did not find a relation between any CYP2A6 genotype with smoking or tobacco dependence.

Determinación del polimorfismo de CYP2C9*2 y su relación con la farmacocinética de acenocumarol en voluntarios sanos / Relation of cy2c9*2 polymorphism and acenocumarol pharmacokynetics in healthy volunteers

Antecedentes: La mayoría de los pacientes que reciben tratamientos con anticoagulantes orales por periodos prolongados presentan variabilidad en la respuesta. El acenocumarol es el anticoagulante oral más prescrito en nuestro país, es biotransformado principalmente por CYP2C9 e investigaciones recientes demuestran que la variante CYP2C9*2 es una de las responsables de la variabilidad de respuesta a acenocumarol. Objetivo: Determinar las diferencias en los parámetros farmacocinéticos de acenocumarol en voluntarios que presentan la variante alélica CYP2C9*2. Métodos: Se estudiaron 24 voluntarios sanos. La detección de genotipos se realizó mediante PCR-RFLP y los parámetros farmacocinéticos se obtuvieron mediante la concentración plasmática de acenocumarol usando un método validado para UPLC-MS/MS. Resultados: Del total de 24 voluntarios, 19 tenían el genotipo CYP2C9*1/*1 (wt/wt), 4 tenían genotipo CYP2C9*1/*2 (heterocigoto) y 1 voluntario tenía genotipo de CYP2C9*2/*2 (homocigoto recesivo). Los parámetros farmacocinéticos del acenocumarol no fueron significativamente diferentes entre los individuos con genotipo CYP2C9*2 y CYP2C9*1. Sin embargo, la farmacocinética de acenocumarol del individuo CYP2C9*2/*2 mostró diferencias relevantes con respecto a la observada en el grupo CYP2C9*1/*1 (tmáx aumentó 1,4 veces, ke disminuyó 1,8 veces y t1/2 aumentó 1,7 veces). Conclusión: La farmacocinética de acenocumarol en el individuo con el genotipo CYP2C9*2/*2 refleja una potencial relevancia de este polimorfismo en el tratamiento con acenocumarol.

Background: Most of the patients receiving anticoagulant therapy for extended periods show variability in their clinical response. Acenocumarol, the most commonly prescribed oral anticoagulant in our country, is biotransformed mainly through CYP2C9 and recent research shows that CYP2C9*2 variant is partly responsible for the variable response to ace-nocumarol. Aim: to determine pharmacokinetics parameters of acenocumarol in volunteers exhibiting the CYP2C9*2 polymorphic variant. Methods: Genotype detection was performed using PCR-RFLP and pharmacokinetics parameters were obtained from the acenocumarol concentrations, using a UPLC-MS/MS validated method. The project was approved by the institutional Ethics Committee of the University of Chile's Faculty of Medicine. Results: 19 out of 24 volunteers had the CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype, 4 the CYP2C9*1/*2 genotype (heterozygous) and 1 subject had the CYP2C9*2/*2 genotype (recessive homozygous). No statistically significant differences between acenocumarol pharmacokinetics parameters of CYP2C9*2 compared to those with normal variant, CYP2C9*1were observed.. However, a single individual with the CYP2C9*2/*2 genotype showed different phar-macokinetics parameters: tmáx and t1/2 were increased 1.4 and 1.7 times, respectively, and kc was 1.8 times lower compared to the group with the CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype. Conclusion: There are clear differences in genotype-dependent acenocoumarol pharmacokinetics in individuals with the CYP2C9*2/*2 genotype, reflecting a potential relevance of this polymorphism in anticoagulation with acenocumarol.

Study of Cytochrome P450 2E1 and its allele Variants in Liver Injury of Nondiabetic, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Obese Women

CYP2E1 enzyme is related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) due to its ability for reactive oxygen species production, which can be influenced by polymorphisms in the gene. The aim of this study was to investigate hepatic levels, activity, and polymorphisms of the CYP2E1 gene to correlate it with clinical and histological features in 48 female obese NASH patients. Subjects were divided into three groups: (i) normal; (ii) steatosis; and (iii) steatohepatitis. CYP2E1 protein level was assayed in microsomes from liver biopsies, and in vivo chlorzoxazone hydroxylation was determined by HPLC. Genomic DNA was isolated for genotype analysis through PCR. The results showed that liver CYP2E1 content was significantly higher in the steatohepatitis (45 percent; p=0.024) and steatosis (22 percent; p=0.032) group compared with normal group. Chlorzoxazone hydroxylase activity showed significant enhancement in the steatohepatitis group (15 percent, p=0.027) compared with the normal group. c2 rare allele of RsallPstl polymorphisms but no C allele of Dral polymorphism was positively associated with CHZ hydroxylation, which in turn is correlated with liver CYP2E1 content (r=0.59; p=0.026). In conclusion, c2 allele is positively associated with liver injury in NASH. This allele may determine a higher transcriptional activity of the gene, with consequent enhancement in pro-oxidant activity of CYP2E1 thus affording liver toxicity.

¿Es posible encontrar un fitoestrógeno para la terapia de reemplazo hormonal, que disminuya el riesgo de cáncer?: tema de Proyecto Anillos de Investigación del Programa Bicentenario en Ciencia y Tecnología / Is it possible to find a phytoestrogen for hormone replacement therapy, decreasing cancer risk?: subject of Research Team Grant in Science and Technology from the Bicentennial Program in Science and Technology

Se describe una nueva línea de investigación que tiene como objetivo investigar principios activos presentes en especies vegetales chilenas, para identificar alguna(s) que produzcan los efectos farmacológicos deseables para su uso como terapia de reemplazo hormonal en mujeres peri o postmenopáusicas, pero que no aumenten, o incluso disminuyan, el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer mamario o endometrial. Esta posibilidad se basa en el hallazgo previo de nuestro equipo de investigadores de un nuevo tipo de receptores estrogénicos responsables de respuestas estrogénicas no genómicas y de nuestro hallazgo de diferencias entre los receptores estrogénicos citosólico-nucleares clásicos de los diferentes tipos celulares uterinos. Si existiera, como anteriormente se creía, un solo tipo de receptor de estrógenos, no sería posible el desarrollo de este nuevo fármaco estrogénico selectivo que buscamos, pues todos los receptores tendrían la misma afinidad por este agente, el que en consecuencia, induciría todas las respuestas a la estimulación estrogénica (incluyendo aquellas que deseamos prevenir, como las que presentan riesgo de desarrollo de cáncer), o que actuaría como antiestrógeno, antagonizando todas las respuestas a los estrógenos en el útero.

A new research line aimed at the investigation of active agents from Chilean plant species is described. The purpose is to indentify those agents inducing expected pharmacological effects in a hormone replacement therapy in peri- or post-menopausal women, but not increasing, or even decreasing, the risk for development of mammary or endometrial cancer. This possibility is based on previous findings from our research team of a new kind of estrogen receptors, responsible of non-genomic responses to estrogen, and our finding of differences between the classical cytosol-receptor estrogen receptors from the different uterine cell-types. If there exists one kind of estrogen receptors only in the uterus, as it was formerly accepted, then it is not possible to develop the selective estrogenic drug we search for, because all receptors would display the same affinity for this agent; therefore, it would induce all responses to estrogen stimulation (including those we wish to prevent, such as those presenting risk of cancer development), or would act as antiestrogen, antagonizing all responses to estrogen in the uterus.

Famacogénica del cáncer: Estudio de variaciones genéticamente determinadas en la susceptibilidad a cáncer por exposición a xenobióticos / Cancer pharmacogenetics: Study of genetically determined variations on cancer susceptibility due to xenobiotic exposure

Pharmacogenetics is the study of genetically determined variations in the response to drugs and toxic agents, and their implications on disease. Recently, the discipline has acquired great relevancy due to the development of non-invasive molecular techniques that identify genetic variants in human beings. There is also a need to explain the individual differences in susceptibility to drug actions and disease risk. Genetic variants can modify the magnitude of a pharmacologic effect, toxicity threshold, secondary effects and drug interactions. There are approximately thirty families of drug-metabolizing enzymes with genetic variants that cause functional alterations and variations in pharmacologic activity. We summarize the general knowledge about genetic variants of biotransformation enzymes, their relationship with cancer risk and the role of ethnicity. Cancer pharmacogenetics is another promising and exciting research area that will explain why people with an almost identical group of genes, have a different susceptibility to cancer, whose etiology has genetic and environmental components.

Effects of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane and L-3, 3', 5-triiodothyronine on rat liver cytochrome P4502E1-dependent activity and content in relation to microsomal superoxide radical generation

Liver microsomal cytochrome P4502E1-dependent p-nitrophenol (PNP) hydroxylation and expression of cytochrome P4502E1 were studied in rats subjected to gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCCH) or L-3,3,5-triiodothyronine (T3) administration as a possible mechanism contributing to superoxide radical (O2.-) generation. HCCH treatment (a single dose of 40 mg/kg body wt) produced a 43 per cent increase in the content of total cytochrome P450, whereas T3 (daily doses of 0.1 mg/kg body wt for two consecutive days) led to a 37 per cent decrease. NADPH-dependent O2.- generation was elevated by HCCH and T3, expressed as either per mg of protein or per nmol of cytochrome P450, with a 135 per cent enhancement in the O2.- production/superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity ratios being observed in both conditions. This was partly due to depression of SOD activity. Concomitantly, the molecular activity of NADPH-cytochrome p450 reductase was enhanced by 90 and 69 per cent by HCCH and T3, respectively. In these conditions, microsomal PNP hydroxylation showed increases of 58 and 45 per cent in HCCH- and T3-treated rats over control values, respectively, with a parallel 31 per cent (HCCH) and 41 per cent (T3) enhancement in the content of cytochrome P4502E1 assessed by western immunoblotting. We conclude that HCCH and T3 enhance the expression and activity of cytochrome P4502E1 and that of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in rat liver, regardless of the changes in total cytochrome P450 content, representing major contributory mechanisms to microsomal NADPH-dependent O2.- generation.

Encuesta de sintomáticos respiratorios en establecimientos de salud de la zona metropolitana. Caracas / Surveys of respiratory symptomatics in health establishments in the metropolitan zone of Caracas

Fueron encuestados 53.314 consultantes en las emergencias y tríajes de 6 grandes hospitales de Caracas, de los cuales 2.378 (4,46%) fueron sintomáticos respiratorios, de ellos 75 (3,2%) presentaron tuberculosis pulmonar con demostración bacteriológica. De los casos diagnósticados, 40% fueron positivos al examen directo de la primera muestra de esputo, 9% a la segunda muestra y 51% sólo al cultivo. El 41% de los sintomáticos respiratorios tenían menos de 2 semanas de evolución. El 72% de los enfermos nacieron fuera de la Zona Metropolitana y de ellos el 16% en el extranjero. Queda demostrada la necesidad de implantar el programa de tuberculosis en las emergencias y triajes de los hospitales generales, la importancia del cultivo y la carga de casos de tuberculosis que puede determinar la migración de población