Lamivudine, Entecavir, or Tenofovir Treatment of Hepatitis B Infection: Effects on Calcium, Phosphate, FGF23 and Indicators of Bone Metabolism

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) are often treated with nucleoside/nucleotide antiviral agents and metabolic bone toxicity is a possible concern.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationships between fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphaturic hormone, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone biochemical abnormalities in these patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional observational study comparing HBV-infected subjects treated for at least one year with tenofovir (TDF), lamuvidine (LVD), entacavir (ETV), or not treated (CON). Patients with abnormalities in either calcium (Ca), phosphate (PO4), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) or FGF23 were further evaluated with BMD by DXA.

RESULTS

No difference in liver enzymes or renal function seen among groups, but hypophosphatemia was seen in all groups with the highest incidence with TDF-treatment (14%). FGF 23 levels were found to be elevated in 11.1% of TDF patients, 2.77% amongst controls. No elevations were found in the LVD or ETV groups. Among a subset of subjects (FGF23, PO4, and/or Ca abnormalities) who underwent further evaluation, 67% had insufficient 25-OH vitamin D, and 30% had elevated 24 h urinary Ca or PO4 excretion. No patients with FGF23 abnormalities had urine abnormalities. 40% had low DXA Z-score (<-2) at spine or hip but there was no difference between control and antiviral treatment groups and the mean FRAX score was 2.33% for major osteoporotic fractures and 0.29% for hip fracture.

CONCLUSION

Abnormalities in bone metabolism, particularly involving vitamin D insufficiency, in HBV-treated subjects were observed with a small increased likelihood in TDF treated patients.

Efficacy and safety of "unboosting" atazanavir in a randomized controlled trial among HIV-infected patients receiving tenofovir DF

OBJECTIVES

To assess safety and efficacy of a switch to unboosted atazanavir (ATV) among HIV-infected adults receiving ATV/ritonavir (r) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

METHODS

HIV-infected adults with viral load (VL) <40 copies/mL at screening and <150 copies/mL consistently for ≥3 months while receiving a regimen including ATV/r and TDF were randomized to continue ATV/r 300/100 mg daily (control) or change to ATV 400 mg daily (switch), while maintaining their TDF backbone. The primary outcome was proportion of subjects without treatment failure (regimen switch or VL > 200 copies/mL twice consecutively) at 48 weeks.

RESULTS

Fifty participants (46 male, median age 47 years) were randomized, 25 to each arm. At week 48, treatment success occurred in 76% in the control arm and 92% in the switch arm (ITT, p = 0.25). ATV trough levels at week 9 were higher in controls (median 438 ng/mL) than in the switch arm (median 124 ng/mL) (p = 0.003), as was total bilirubin at week 48 (median 38 μmol/L and 28 μmol/L, respectively; p = 0.02). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased in the control arm (p = 0.007), but did not change in the switch arm. At week 48, eGFR was higher in the switch arm (median 96 mL/min) than in the control arm (median 85 mL/min) (p = 0.035), but the arms were similar with respect to fasting glucose, C-reactive protein, and lipid parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Switching from ATV/r to unboosted ATV appears to be safe and effective in selected virologically suppressed patients receiving TDF-containing regimens, and may have favorable effects on bilirubin and renal function.

Lipoprotein (a), an independent cardiovascular risk marker

Epidemiological and genetic studies have identified elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) ((Lp(a)) as a causal and independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The Lp(a)-induced increased risk of CVD may be mediated by both its proatherogenic and prothrombotic mechanisms. Several guidelines recommend screening of Lp(a) level; however, there are few treatment options for the management of patients with elevated Lp(a). Several new medications for Lp(a) are under development. PCSK9 inhibitors, apolipoprotein (a)-antisense, and apolipoprotein(B-100)-antisense mipomersen have shown promising results. Lp(a) reduction will continue to be an active area of investigation.

Lipid lowering efficacy and safety of Ezetimibe combined with rosuvastatin compared with titrating rosuvastatin monotherapy in HIV-positive patients

Background

HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy frequently develop dyslipidemias and, despite therapy with potent lipid-lowering agents, a high percentage does not achieve guideline recommended lipid targets. In this study, we examined the efficacy of combination treatment with a statin and the cholesterol transport blocker, ezetimibe, vs. monotherapy with a statin in HIV-infected patients not achieving lipid goals.

Methods

This was a 12-week, prospective, randomized, open-label clinical trial. Patients were eligible if they had an apolipoprotein B (apoB) >0.80 g/L despite therapy with rosuvastatin 10 mg daily for a minimum of 12 weeks. Patients were randomized to take ezetimibe 10 mg/rosuvastatin 10 mg or rosuvastatin 20 mg for 12 weeks. Percentage and absolute change in apoB (primary outcome), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, apoliporpotein A1 (apoA1), apoB/apoA1, TC/HDL-C, atherogenic index of plasma (API), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were compared. Changes in safety parameters (such as AST, ALT, CK) and clinical symptoms were also assessed.

Results

Forty-three patients (23 on ezetimibe 10 mg/rosuvastatin 10 mg and 20 on rosuvastatin 20 mg) completed the trial. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups. Significant improvements in apoB were seen with both ezetimibe plus rosuvastatin (mean of -0.17 g/L, p < 0.001) and rosuvastatin 20 mg (mean of -0.13 g/L, p = 0.03) treatment groups, but did not differ between groups (p = 0.53). Significant between-group differences were observed for mean TC (-1.01 mmol/L vs. -0.50 mmol/L, p = 0.03), TG (-0.62 mmol/L vs -0.17 mmol/L, p = 0.03), and non-HDL-C (-0.97 mmol/L vs. -0.53 mmol/L, p = 0.03) all in favour of the ezetimibe plus rosuvastatin group. Two patients, both in the rosuvastatin 20 mg group, experienced mild myalgias; neither discontinued the study.

Conclusions

The addition of ezetimibe to rosuvastatin appears to be safe in patients with HIV. Furthermore, the combination of ezetimibe and rosuvastatin improved TG, AIP and non-HDL cholesterol levels more than a dose increase in rosuvastatin in patients with HIV-associated dyslipidemia.

A review on lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency

Lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) is a plasma enzyme which esterifies cholesterol, and plays a key role in the metabolism of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Genetic disorders of LCAT are associated with lipoprotein abnormalities including low levels of HDL-C and presence of lipoprotein X, and clinical features mainly corneal opacities, changes in erythrocyte morphology and renal failure. Recombinant LCAT is being developed for the treatment of patients with LCAT deficiency.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 is elevated in tenofovir-related hypophosphatemia

In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) may cause hypophosphatemia leading to osteomalacia due to renal phosphate wasting. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) may play a role in this setting. We present an HIV-infected patient with TDF-induced profound hypophosphatemia, Fanconi syndrome, osteomalacia, and bilateral hip fracture. Routine serum biochemistry was assessed by standard methods. The plasma FGF23 concentration was measured at Mayo Laboratories (Scottsdale, AZ, USA). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using a Hologic Discovery densitometer. At presentation, the patient's plasma C-terminal FGF23 was 2,760 reference units (RU)/mL (15 times upper limit of normal; reference interval [RI] ≤ 180 RU/mL), serum phosphate was 0.58 (RI 0.8-1.6 mmol/L), and TmPO4/GFR was 95%. DXA at the lumbar spine showed a Z score of -4.0. Vitamin D3 and oral phosphate were administered, and TDF was discontinued. After 4 months off TDF, lumbar spine BMD significantly increased by 12% (Z score -3.5); by 6 months the plasma C-terminal FGF23 declined to 1.8 times the upper limit of normal, and both urine and serum phosphate levels normalized. By its marked elevation and subsequent near normalization, FGF23 may be responsible for a component of the phosphate wasting syndrome in these patients. The time course of resolution was 6 months. As expected, with calcium, vitamin D, and phosphate management, BMD significantly improved with resolution of osteomalacia. Clinicians should be aware of this side effect of TDF and the time course of its resolution.

Risk stratification of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia in a multi-ethnic cohort

Background

Heterozygous Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant disorder resulting in in very high blood cholesterol levels and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is a wide variation in the occurrence of CVD in these patients. The aim of this study is to determine risk factors that are responsible for the variability of CVD events in FH patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of a large multiethnic cohort of patients with definite FH attending the Healthy Heart Prevention Clinic in Vancouver, Canada. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to assess the association of the risk factors to the hard cardiovascular outcomes.

Results

409 patients were identified as having “definite” FH, according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria (DLCNC), with 111 (27%) having evidence of CVD. Male sex, family history of premature CVD, diabetes mellitus, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and high lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) were significant, independent risk factors for CVD. In men, family history, diabetes and low levels of HDL-C were significant risk factors while in women smoking, diabetes mellitus and high Lp (a) were significant risk factors for CVD. There were no significant differences in risk factors between ethnicities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, men and women differ in the impact of the risk factors on the presence of CVD with family history of CVD and low HDL-C being a significant factor in men while smoking and increased Lp (a) were significant factors in women. Diabetes was a significant factor in both men and women.

Dramatic lowering of very high Lp(a) in response to niacin

We describe a patient with markedly elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) without any other lipid abnormalities. After a myocardial infarction, she was treated with combination of extended-release niacin and statin. An 88% reduction in Lp(a) was observed during 5 years of treatment, which is much better response than usually reported.

Ankle brachial index screening for occult vascular disease is not useful in HIV-positive patients

Metabolic complications common to the HIV-positive population may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. Asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) is a screening tool commonly used for the detection of asymptomatic PAD. The prevalence of asymptomatic PAD based on ABI in HIV-positive patients is unknown. This study was cross-sectional in design and assessed PAD by measuring the systolic ABI as determined by a handheld 8-MHz Doppler probe with the patient at rest in a supine position. A brief medical history including pertinent risk factors was obtained. One hundred and sixty-seven HIV-positive patients were evaluated (97.6% male; mean age 52.0 years; 31.2% current smokers, 29.4% former smokers, 26.3% diabetes mellitus). Asymptomatic PAD (ABI < or = 0.9) was found in four patients (2.4%, 95% CI: 0.3-4.5%). Smoking was a significant predictor of PAD. Patients with a positive test for PAD had at least two major risk factors for the disease including smoking, a history of disease in another vascular bed, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. All patients with a positive test for PAD had a high risk (>20%) for cardiovascular disease according to the Framingham risk score. Three of the four patients with positive tests had previously diagnosed vascular disease (CAD, stroke). Three patients presenting with PAD were evaluated and all had a positive ABI. The prevalence of PAD compared to previous studies on PAD in HIV was low and identified only those patients with high cardiovascular risk based on other features. ABI was not useful in detecting occult vascular disease in HIV-positive patients and offers no additional information to that derived from cardiovascular risk stratification.

Upflow Sludge Blanket Filtration (USBF): an Innovative Technology in Activated Sludge Process

BACKGROUND

A new biological domestic wastewater treatment process, which has been presented these days in activated sludge modification, is Upflow Sludge Blanket Filtration (USBF). This process is aerobic and acts by using a sludge blanket in the separator of sedimentation tank. All biological flocs and suspended solids, which are presented in the aeration basin, pas through this blanket. The performance of a single stage USBF process for treatment of domestic wastewater was studied in laboratory scale.

METHODS

The pilot of USBF has been made from fiberglass and the main electromechanical equipments consisted of an air compressor, a mixing device and two pumps for sludge return and wastewater injection. The wastewater samples used for the experiments were prepared synthetically to have qualitative characteristics similar to a typical domestic wastewater (COD= 277 mg/l, BOD(5)= 250 mg/l and TSS= 1 mg/l).

RESULTS

On the average, the treatment system was capable to remove 82.2% of the BOD(5) and 85.7% of COD in 6 h hydraulic retention time (HRT). At 2 h HRT BOD and COD removal efficiencies dramatically reduced to 50% and 46.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Even by increasing the concentrations of pollutants to as high as 50%, the removal rates of all pollutants were remained similar to the HRT of 6 h.

AMP-activated protein kinase influences metabolic remodeling in H9c2 cells hypertrophied by arginine vasopressin

Substrate use switches from fatty acids toward glucose in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy with an acceleration of glycolysis being characteristic. The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) observed in hypertrophied hearts provides one potential mechanism for the acceleration of glycolysis. Here, we directly tested the hypothesis that AMPK causes the acceleration of glycolysis in hypertrophied heart muscle cells. The H9c2 cell line, derived from the embryonic rat heart, was treated with arginine vasopressin (AVP; 1 μM) to induce a cellular model of hypertrophy. Rates of glycolysis and oxidation of glucose and palmitate were measured in nonhypertrophied and hypertrophied H9c2 cells, and the effects of inhibition of AMPK were determined. AMPK activity was inhibited by 6-[4-(2-piperidin-1- yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-3-pyridin-4-yl-pyrrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine (compound C) or by adenovirus-mediated transfer of dominant negative AMPK. Compared with nonhypertrophied cells, glycolysis was accelerated and palmitate oxidation was reduced with no significant alteration in glucose oxidation in hypertrophied cells, a metabolic profile similar to that of intact hypertrophied hearts. Inhibition of AMPK resulted in the partial reduction of glycolysis in AVP-treated hypertrophied H9c2 cells. Acute exposure of H9c2 cells to AVP also activated AMPK and accelerated glycolysis. These elevated rates of glycolysis were not altered by AMPK inhibition but were blocked by agents that interfere with Ca2+ signaling, including extracellular EGTA, dantrolene, and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. We conclude that the acceleration of glycolysis in AVP-treated hypertrophied heart muscle cells is partially dependent on AMPK, whereas the acute glycolytic effects of AVP are AMPK independent and at least partially Ca2+ dependent.

Metabolic actions of metformin in the heart can occur by AMPK-independent mechanisms

The metabolic actions of the antidiabetic agent metformin reportedly occur via the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the heart and other tissues in the presence or absence of changes in cellular energy status. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that metformin has AMPK-independent effects on metabolism in heart muscle. Fatty acid oxidation and glucose utilization (glycolysis and glucose uptake) were measured in isolated working hearts from halothane-anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats and in cultured heart-derived H9c2 cells in the absence or in the presence of metformin (2 mM). Fatty acid oxidation and glucose utilization were significantly altered by metformin in hearts and H9c2 cells. AMPK activity was not measurably altered by metformin in either model system, and no impairment of energetic state was observed in the intact hearts. Furthermore, the inhibition of AMPK by 6-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-3-pyridin-4-yl-pyyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine (Compound C), a well-recognized pharmacological inhibitor of AMPK, or the overexpression of a dominant-negative form of AMPK failed to prevent the metabolic actions of metformin in H9c2 cells. The exposure of H9c2 cells to inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) or protein kinase C (PKC) partially or completely abrogated metformin-induced alterations in metabolism in these cells, respectively. Thus the metabolic actions of metformin in the heart muscle can occur independent of changes in AMPK activity and may be mediated by p38 MAPK- and PKC-dependent mechanisms.

AMPK and metabolic adaptation by the heart to pressure overload

Accelerated glycolysis in hypertrophied hearts may be a compensatory response to reduced energy production from long-chain fatty acid oxidation with 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) functioning as a cellular signal. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that enhanced fatty acid oxidation improves energy status and normalizes AMPK activity and glycolysis in hypertrophied hearts. Glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, AMPK activity, and energy status were measured in isolated working hypertrophied and control hearts from aortic-constricted and sham-operated male Sprague-Dawley rats. Hearts from halothane (3–4%)-anesthetized rats were perfused with KH solution containing either palmitate, a long-chain fatty acid, or palmitate plus octanoate, a medium-chain fatty acid whose oxidation is not impaired in hypertrophied hearts. Compared with control, fatty acid oxidation was lower in hypertrophied hearts perfused with palmitate, whereas it increased to similar values in both groups with octanoate plus palmitate. Glycolysis was accelerated in palmitate-perfused hypertrophied hearts and was normalized in hypertrophied hearts by the addition of octanoate. AMPK activity was increased three- to sixfold with palmitate alone and was reduced to control values by octanoate plus palmitate. Myocardial energy status improved with the addition of octanoate but did not differ between groups. Our findings, particularly the correspondence between glycolysis and AMPK activity, provide support for the view that activation of AMPK is responsible, in part, for the acceleration of glycolysis in cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, they indicate myocardial AMPK is activated by energy state-independent mechanisms in response to pressure overload, demonstrating AMPK is more than a sensor of the heart's energy status.

Gender and post-ischemic recovery of hypertrophied rat hearts

Background

Gender influences the cardiac response to prolonged increases in workload, with differences at structural, functional, and molecular levels. However, it is unknown if post-ischemic function or metabolism of female hypertrophied hearts differ from male hypertrophied hearts. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that gender influences post-ischemic function of pressure-overload hypertrophied hearts and determined if the effect of gender on post-ischemic outcome could be explained by differences in metabolism, especially the catabolic fate of glucose.

Methods

Function and metabolism of isolated working hearts from sham-operated and aortic-constricted male and female Sprague-Dawley rats before and after 20 min of no-flow ischemia (N = 17 to 27 per group) were compared. Parallel series of hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 5.5 mM [5-³H/U-¹⁴C]-glucose, 1.2 mM [1-¹⁴C]-palmitate, 0.5 mM [U-¹⁴C]-lactate, and 100 mU/L insulin to measure glycolysis and glucose oxidation in one series and oxidation of palmitate and lactate in the second. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance. The sequential rejective Bonferroni procedure was used to correct for multiple comparisons and tests.

Results

Female gender negatively influenced post-ischemic function of non-hypertrophied hearts, but did not significantly influence function of hypertrophied hearts after ischemia such that mass-corrected hypertrophied heart function did not differ between genders. Before ischemia, glycolysis was accelerated in hypertrophied hearts, but to a greater extent in males, and did not differ between male and female non-hypertrophied hearts. Glycolysis fell in all groups after ischemia, except in non-hypertrophied female hearts, with the reduction in glycolysis after ischemia being greatest in males. Post-ischemic glycolytic rates were, therefore, similarly accelerated in hypertrophied male and female hearts and higher in female than male non-hypertrophied hearts. Glucose oxidation was lower in female than male hearts and was unaffected by hypertrophy or ischemia. Consequently, non-oxidative catabolism of glucose after ischemia was lowest in male non-hypertrophied hearts and comparably elevated in hypertrophied hearts of both sexes. These differences in non-oxidative glucose catabolism were inversely related to post-ischemic functional recovery.

Conclusion

Gender does not significantly influence post-ischemic function of hypertrophied hearts, even though female sex is detrimental to post-ischemic function in non-hypertrophied hearts. Differences in glucose catabolism may contribute to hypertrophy-induced and gender-related differences in post-ischemic function.

Trimetazidine normalizes postischemic function of hypertrophied rat hearts

The fraction of glucose passing through glycolysis that is oxidized is low in hypertrophied hearts, a pattern of glucose use associated with poor postischemic contractile function. We tested the hypothesis that trimetazidine, a partial 3-ketoacyl coenzyme A thiolase inhibitor, would stimulate glucose oxidation and, thereby, improve fractional glucose oxidation and postischemic function of hypertrophied hearts. Function, glycolysis, and oxidation of glucose, lactate, and palmitate were measured before and after global no-flow ischemia in isolated working hearts from sham-operated (control) and aortic-constricted (hypertrophied) male Sprague-Dawley rats in the presence or absence of 1 microM trimetazidine. Heart function was significantly improved by trimetazidine after ischemia, but only in hypertrophied hearts, with function improving to values in untreated control hearts. This effect occurred in association with relatively minor changes in oxidative metabolism. However, trimetazidine reduced glycolysis by approximately 30% but did so only in hypertrophied hearts, an unexpected novel action of this agent that resulted in a larger fractional oxidation of glucose, effectively normalizing it in hypertrophied hearts. Thus, trimetazidine normalizes postischemic function and fractional glucose oxidation in hypertrophied hearts, mainly by reducing glycolysis. These data extend the potential usefulness of trimetazidine and provide support for its use as a means to improve postischemic function of pressure overload hypertrophied hearts.