The pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and its glucuronide (mycophenolic acid phenolic glucuronide, MPAG) in lupus nephritis (LN) have not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of MPA and MPAG in LN patients by comparing the pharmacokinetics with those of kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Six LN patients (World Health Organization class IV and V) and 24 KT recipients [8 recipients treated with tacrolimus (Tac) and 16 with cyclosporine (CyA)] during the early posttransplantation period were enrolled. Pharmacokinetic parameters of MPA and MPAG were compared between LN patients and Tac-treated or CyA-treated KT recipients. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-12) of MPA normalized to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) dose (mg/kg) was significantly lower in LN patients and CyA-treated KT recipients than in Tac-treated KT recipients [median (range), 2.19 (0.87-4.23), 2.36 (1.13-5.74), and 4.86 (3.25-6.75) microg x h/mL per mg/kg, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively]. Dose-normalized MPAG AUC0-12 was significantly lower in LN patients and slightly lower in Tac-treated KT recipients than in CyA-treated KT recipients [median (range), 35.0 (8.34-69.8), 51.6 (34.4-94.8), and 84.1 (34.7-152) microg x h/mL per mg/kg, P < 0.05 and P = 0.13, respectively]. The ratio of MPA AUC5-12 to AUC0-12, an estimate of MPA enterohepatic recirculation, was slightly higher in LN patients and Tac-treated KT recipients than in CyA-treated KT recipients [median (range), 0.44 (0.35-0.56), 0.45 (0.42-0.61), and 0.34 (0.22-0.55), P = 0.29 and P = 0.10, respectively]. Serum creatinine was significantly lower in LN patients than in Tac-treated and CyA-treated KT recipients. In conclusion, the pharmacokinetics of MPA in LN patients is characterized by high MPA clearance and in CyA-treated KT recipients. Despite this higher clearance of MPA, MPAG AUC0-12 was lower in LN patients most likely due to better renal function in LN patients.

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To investigate whether the rate of increase in the performance of abdominal myomectomy over a laparoscopic approach after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety communication regarding morcellator use for myomectomy differs among races. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement data. Patients: Patients aged 18 to 55 years who underwent either laparoscopic or abdominal myomectomy, excluding malignant cases, emergency cases, operations performed by nongynecologic specialists, and cases in which myomectomy was performed during cesarean section. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: The odds ratios of abdominal myomectomy over laparoscopic myomectomy before and after the release of the FDA communication were calculated in 3 race categories: white, African American, and other races. In a logistic regression analysis adjusted for possible confounders, including all races, the odds ratio of abdominal myomectomy before and after the FDA communication was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20−1.41; p <.001). In a logistic regression analysis with a product term of FDA communication exposure and race as a possible effect modifier, the African American population showed a significantly greater change in the odds of abdominal myomectomy over laparoscopic myomectomy in comparison with the white population (1.22; 95% CI, 1.02−1.47; p = .03). In contrast, other races showed no significant change (.83; 95% CI, .64−1.08; p = .17). Conclusion: After the FDA communication, the odds ratio of abdominal myomectomy was disproportionately increased in the African American population.