Combinational Effect of CYP3A5 and MDR-1 Polymorphisms on Tacrolimus Pharmacokinetics in Liver Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported reduced tacrolimus dose-adjusted exposure in individuals expressing the CYP3A5*1 allele (reference single nucleotide polymorphism identification number 776746). However, results on patients from South America are scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of CYP3A5 and MDR1 allelic variants and their correlation on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and a modified release formulation of tacrolimus in stable patients with liver transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single center, open-label study. Included patients were ≥ 18 years old and receiving a stable dose of tacrolimus for at least 6 months. Patients receiving stable treatment of twice daily tacrolimus were switched to a once-daily dose of modified release tacrolimus, on a milligram-to-milligram basis, with the modified release formulation administered for at least 4 weeks. Blood levels of tacrolimus were obtained before and 1 month after treatment was switched to the modified release formulation. RESULTS: The frequency of the intron 3 allelic variant of the CYP3A5 isoform (G-to-A substitution at nucleotide 6986) in recipients was 16.6% and 25% in donors. Dose levels of tacrolimus and the modified formulation were significantly higher in donors and recipients who expressed CYP3A5 versus donors and recipients who did not express this allele. In addition, patients who received a liver from a donor expressing CYP3A5 had significantly lower trough concentrations of tacrolimus and the modified formulation. CYP3A5 expression in the donor liver affected tacrolimus (40.46%, P = .001) and modified formulation (37.56%, P = .001) variability. No association was found between the ABCB1 genotype and levels of tacrolimus or its modified formulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that CYP3A5*1 in either the donor or recipient resulted in higher mean daily doses of tacrolimus or its modified formulation to achieve target drug exposure in liver transplant patients.

Renal dopaminergic system: Pathophysiological implications and clinical perspectives.

Fluid homeostasis, blood pressure and redox balance in the kidney are regulated by an intricate interaction between local and systemic anti-natriuretic and natriuretic systems. Intrarenal dopamine plays a central role on this interactive network. By activating specific receptors, dopamine promotes sodium excretion and stimulates anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. Different pathological scenarios where renal sodium excretion is dysregulated, as in nephrotic syndrome, hypertension and renal inflammation, can be associated with impaired action of renal dopamine including alteration in biosynthesis, dopamine receptor expression and signal transduction. Given its properties on the regulation of renal blood flow and sodium excretion, exogenous dopamine has been postulated as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent renal failure in critically ill patients. The aim of this review is to update and discuss on the most recent findings about renal dopaminergic system and its role in several diseases involving the kidneys and the potential use of dopamine as a nephroprotective agent.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and renal dopaminergic system: a positive friendly relationship?

Sodium metabolism by the kidney is accomplished by an intricate interaction between signals from extrarenal and intrarenal sources and between antinatriuretic and natriuretic factors. Renal dopamine plays a central role in this interactive network. The natriuretic hormones, such as the atrial natriuretic peptide, mediate some of their effects by affecting the renal dopaminergic system. Renal dopaminergic tonus can be modulated at different steps of dopamine metabolism (synthesis, uptake, release, catabolism, and receptor sensitization) which can be regulated by the atrial natriuretic peptide. At tubular level, dopamine and atrial natriuretic peptide act together in a concerted manner to promote sodium excretion, especially through the overinhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity. In this way, different pathological scenarios where renal sodium excretion is dysregulated, as in nephrotic syndrome or hypertension, are associated with impaired action of renal dopamine and/or atrial natriuretic peptide, or as a result of impaired interaction between these two natriuretic systems. The aim of this review is to update and comment on the most recent evidences demonstrating how the renal dopaminergic system interacts with atrial natriuretic peptide to control renal physiology and blood pressure through different regulatory pathways.