Myrcludex B acts as a hepatitis B and D virus entry inhibitor blocking the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (SLC10A1). We investigated the effects of myrcludex B on plasma bile acid disposition, tenofovir pharmacokinetics, and perpetrator characteristics on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A. Twelve healthy volunteers received 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate orally and 10 mg subcutaneous myrcludex B. Myrcludex B increased total plasma bile acid exposure 19.2-fold without signs of cholestasis. The rise in conjugated bile acids was up to 124-fold (taurocholic acid). Coadministration of tenofovir with myrcludex B revealed no relevant changes in tenofovir pharmacokinetics. CYP3A activity slightly but significantly decreased by 29% during combination therapy. Myrcludex B caused an asymptomatic but distinct rise in plasma bile acid concentrations and had no relevant impact on tenofovir pharmacokinetics. Changes in CYP3A activity might be due to alterations in bile acid signaling. Long-term effects of elevated bile acids will require critical evaluation.
When treating older adults, a main factor to consider is physical frailty. Because specific assessments in clinical trials are frequently lacking, critical appraisal of treatment evidence with respect to functional status is challenging. Our aim was to identify and categorize assessments for functional status given in clinical trials in older adults to allow for a retrospective characterization and indirect comparison of treatment evidence from these cohorts. We conducted 4 separate systematic reviews of randomized and nonrandomized controlled clinical trials in older people with hypertension, diabetes, depression, and dementia. All assessments identified that reflected functional status were analyzed. Assessments were categorized across 4 different functional status levels. These levels span from functionally not impaired, slightly impaired, significantly impaired, to severely impaired/disabled. If available from the literature, cutoffs for these 4 functioning levels were extracted. If not, or if the existing cutoffs did not match the predefined functional levels, cutoff points were defined by an expert group composed of geriatricians, pharmacists, pharmacologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and epidemiologists using a patient-centered approach. We identified 51 instruments that included measures of functional status. Although some of the assessments had clearly defined cutoffs across our predefined categories, many others did not. In most cases, no cutoffs existed for slightly impaired or severely impaired older adults. Missing cutoffs or values to adjust were determined by the expert group and are presented as described. The functional status assessments that were identified and operationalized across 4 functional levels could now be used for a retrospective characterization of functional status in randomized controlled trials and observational The Medication and Quality of Life Research Group comprises Christine A
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