Cyclosporine (CsA) is a substrate of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 and has a narrow therapeutic range with large inter-individual variability. CYP3A5*3 polymorphism is reported to be functional and may contribute to the interindividual variability. The objective of this meta-analysis was to accurately estimate the effect of CYP3A5*3 allele on CsA dose-adjusted blood concentration. A computerized literature search was conducted in PubMed. A total of 12 and 6 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were, respectively, included in meta-analysis about dose-adjusted trough concentration (C 0 /D) and dose-adjusted peak concentration (C 2 /D). The combined weighted mean difference (WMD) between CYP3A5 expressers (*1/*3 þ *1/*1) and non-expressers (*3/*3) was significant in C 2 /D (WMD ¼ À12.73 (ng ml -1 )/ (mg kg -1 ), 95% confidence interval (CI) À25.23 to À0.22, P ¼ 0.046), whereas it was marginally significant in C 0 /D (WMD ¼ À3.75 (ng ml -1 )/ (mg kg -1 ), 95% CI À7.58 to 0.07, P ¼ 0.054). Exclusion of an outlier study greatly increased the association of CYP3A5 polymorphism with C 0 /D to be significant (WMD ¼ À4.92 (ng ml -1 )/(mg kg -1 ), 95% CI: À8.27 to À1.58, P ¼ 0.011). This meta-analysis showed that CYP3A5*3 polymorphism is associated with CsA dose-adjusted concentration in renal transplant recipients. Patients carrying the CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype will require a lower dose of CsA to reach target levels compared with the CYP3A5*1/*1 or *1/*3 carriers.

To study the releasing properties and tissue-targeting characteristics of methotrexate-loaded red blood cells (MTX-RBCs), pharmacokinetics and tissue distributions of intravenous injected MTX-RBCs and free MTX were compared. MTX-RBCs were made from rat erythrocytes using a hypertonic method. After i.v. injection of MTX-RBCs or free MTX to rats, both plasma and tissue homogenate samples at each time-point were collected and analyzed by RP-HPLC. From this data, pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distributions of MTX were obtained. MTX-RBCs were successfully produced by the hypertonic method. After i.v. injection, MTX-RBCs displayed more than three times longer half-life and MRT than free MTX, and the velocity of MTX clearance from plasma was much slower. The ratio of area under the concentration time curve (AUC)(tissue) to AUC(plasma) in the liver was clearly higher than that for other organs after MTX-RBCs administration; MRT in the liver was also longer. This study has demonstrated that the hypertonic method for making MTX-RBCs has led to a preparation with slow release properties as well as liver-targeting characteristics in rats. This approach offers considerable potential for the treatment of tumors in liver, which would merit further investigation.

1. The Aim Of The Present Study Was To Test The Efficacy Of The Novel Endothelin (Et) Receptor Antagonist CPU0507 In Treating Rat Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension (Ph) In Vivo And In Vitro And To Explore The Role Of The Et-1 System In The Disease. 2. Male Sprague-dawley Rats (220 +/- 20 G) Were Divided Into Four Groups: (I) Control; (Ii) Untreated Hypoxic (28 Days Hypoxia); (Iii) Hypoxic Rats Treated In The Last 5 Days Of Hypoxia With Nifedipine(5 Mg/kg Per Day, P.o.); And (Iv) Hypoxic Rats Treated In The Last 5 Days Of Hypoxia With CPU0507 (20 Mg/kg Per Day, S.c.). Effects Of Treatments On Haemodynamics And Biochemical Data, As Well As Functional Assessments Of The Isolated Pulmonary Artery, Were Determined In Vivo And In Vitro. 3. It Was Found That CPU0507 Reduced The Elevated Pulmonary Arterial Pressure And Right Heart Weight Index And Restored Abnormalities In Nitric Oxide (No), Malondialdehyde And No Synthase (Nos) In The Serum And Superoxide Dismutase, Hydroxyproline And Nos In Pulmonary Homogenates. In Addition, CPU0507 Restored Altered Pulmonary Vasoconstrictor And Vasodilator Responses. Vascular Constriction And Dilatation Of Untreated Pulmonary Arteries Were Reverted Effectively Towards Normal Following Exposure Of Artery Rings To CPU0507 In Vitro. 4. In Conclusion, The Results Indicate That Hypoxic Ph Is Relieved Significantly By CPU0507 In Vivo And In Vitro And The Effects Are Presumed To Be Mediated By Suppression Of The Et-reactive Oxygen Species Axis.