Statins and fibrates are the most widely used pharmaceuticals in developed countries for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. They reach the aquatic environment mainly via wastewater treatment plants and have been detected at concentrations of ng to µg/L. They are “pseudopersistent” due to their continuous and increasing input into the aquatic environment. Cholesterol is essential to all animals, so inhibition of its synthesis by these drugs could have negative consequences in non-target species. Currently little is known regarding the possible effects of statins and fibrates on aquatic organisms. Thus, this thesis investigates the effects of atorvastatin (ATV; statin) and gemfibrozil (GEM; fibrate) on rainbow trout and zebrafish in vivo and in vitro. Intraperitoneal injection of ATV, GEM, or the combination of the two drugs (A+G) into rainbow trout resulted in a nearly 30% reduction of cellular cholesterol content. Additionally, gene expression related to lipid homeostasis (LDL-r, HMGCR-1, and SREBP-1) was elevated. Furthermore, plasma creatine kinase activity and skeletal muscle gene expression related to rhabdomyolysis (atrogin-1 and f-box 25) were elevated. Plasma cortisol concentration was reduced in injected trout, suggesting that either the reduction in cholesterol resulted in treated fish lacking a proper stress response or that the treated fish were simply not responsive to the stress protocol. Feeding zebrafish ATV, GEM, or A+G daily over a 30 day period resulted in nearly a 30% reduction of whole-body cholesterol content and a concomitant change in gene expression related to lipid homeostasis (SREBP-1, SREBP-2, HMGCR-1, PPARα, and PPARγ). Moreover, sex steroids (testosterone and estradiol) were also reduced. Finally, exposing rainbow trout hepatocytes to ATV at 4.5 or 45 µg/L for 3 or 6 h resulted in reduced 14C incorporation into cholesterol and cholesteryl ester. Elevated gene expression related to lipid homeostasis (HMGCR-1, SREBP-1, and PPARγ) also occurred. This thesis demonstrated that ATV and GEM affected fish cholesterol and steroid hormone contents, as well as molecular markers of rhabdomyolysis. Whether these changes impact fish fitness remains to be determined.

No description available.

Introduction — Hyperkalemia, defined as serum potassium >6.0mmol/L, affects ±6% of people with kidney disease and is a contraindication to surgery due to the perioperative risk of potentially fatal cardiac dysrhythmia (1,2,3). When emergency surgery cannot be avoided, hyperkalemia must be managed perioperatively using a variety of traditional practice patterns which vary in efficacy (3,4,5). We present a case report of successful rapid correction of hyperkalemia in a 67-year- old man with a history of chronic kidney disease who presented to the emergency department for acute compartment syndrome in need of emergent fasciotomy to prevent loss of limb. Methods — Since emergent treatment of hyperkalemia is often managed through a combination of medications with multiple mechanisms of action, we reviewed available related literature in PubMed in order to present this educational case report. Patient Presentation — At the time of presentation, our patient’s serum potassium was 7.7mmol/L, creatinine kinase was 33,160U/L, and an ECG revealed a first-degree AV node block with slight ST depression. Following intubation, as a team of surgeons started extensive fasciotomy of his arm, our anesthesia team gave several medications in tandem—calcium gluconate to stabilize cardiac myocytes and prevent ventricular arrythmia, coadministration of dextrose and insulin to induce an intracellular shift of potassium, sodium bicarbonate to induce cellular hydrogen/potassium exchange, and albuterol to increase cellular uptake of potassium via β2 adrenergic receptors (1,6). The patient’s hyperkalemia improved from 7.7 to 3.7 (normal 3.5 – 5.1mmol/L) over 4 hours. Discussion and Conclusion — Our review of available literature identified several methods of treatment of hyperkalemia, some with limitations to use which we believe support our team’s approach to treatment in this case report (6). Calcium salts are integral to the treatment of hyperkalemia by stabilizing cardiac myocytes, however they do not directly influence serum or total body potassium levels. Our report adds to a growing pool of existing case reports and small studies documenting safe, efficacious emergent treatment of hyperkalemia. It also describes the utility of the anesthesiologist in providing safe, effective perioperative medical care.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to investigate skeletal muscle changes induced by an acute bout of plyometric exercise before and after plyometric training. The study consisted of an acute study and training intervention study. The acute study, investigated whether direct evidence of ultrastructural damage and identification of indirect factors were more evident in subjects presenting with rhabdomyolysis. Moreover the training intervention study investigated whether plyometric training would protect the muscle from ultrastructural damage and rhabdomyolysis. During the acute intervention, twenty six healthy untrained individuals completed an acute bout of plyometric exercise (10 x 10 squat-jumps, 1 min rest). After, thirteen subjects continued with the training intervention. Eight of these subjects completed 8 weeks of plyometric jump training, while five subjects were instructed to rest from physical activity for 8 weeks. Seven days after the final training session the training and rest group repeated a second acute bout of plyometric exercise. Acute Study: Creatine kinase (CK) activity increased significantly following the single bout of plyometric exercise in all subjects (baseline: 129 to day 4: 5348 U/l). This was accompanied by an increase in perceived pain, C-reactive protein (CRP) a marker of inflammation as well as white blood cells (WBCs). Electron micrographs of muscle biopsies taken 3 days post exercise showed evidence of ultrasructural damage and membrane damage was apparent by immunofluorescence by the loss of dystrophin staining. A stretch of the c-terminus of titin was observed by immunogold, and western blot analysis indicated an increase in calpain-3 autolysis. Based on individual CK responses (CK range: 153-71,024 U/L at 4days after exercise) the twenty six subjects were divided into two groups, namely the high (n=10) and low responders (n=16). Training intervention: Following training the trained group did not experience: a rise of CK activity (110.0 U/l), perceived pain, CRP, WBCs, Z-line streaming, a stretch of titin or calpain-3 activation; while in the control group only two subjects presented with Z-line streaming. The results indicate that high responders have a more pronounced inflammatory response compared to low responders after eccentric exercise, therefore more WBCs and more specifically neutrophils are recruited to damaged areas resulting in greater membrane damage by respiratory burst in high responders. This damage can be limited with training by remodelling sarcomeric proteins via calpain activation resulting in the stable assembly of proteins in the sarcomere preventing the release of proteins. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om skeletspier veranderinge wat teweeggebring is deur voor en na afloop van akute pleometriese oefening, te ondersoek. Die studie bestaan uit ‘n akute intervensie en ‘n oefeningsintervensie gedeelte. Die akute intervensie het ondersoek ingestel na die direkte bewyse van ultrastrukturele skade en identifikasie van indirekte faktore meer sigbaar is in proefpersone wat met rhabdomiolose presenteer. Meerso het die oefningsintervensie die moontlikheid dat pleometriese oefening die spier van ultrastrukturele skade en rhabdomiolose beskerm, ondersoek. Tydens die akute intervensie is 26 gesonde ongeoefende individue die akute pleometriese oefeningsessie (10 x 10 hurkspronge, 1 min rus) voltooi. Hierna het 13 proefpersone voortgegaan met die oefeningsintervensie. Agt van hierdie proefpersone het agt weke pleometriese sprongsessie oefeninge voltooi, terwyl vyf proefpersone gevra is om vir 8 weke geen oefeninge te doen nie. Sewe dae na afloop van die finale oefeningssessie het die oefening en kontrole groep in ‘n tweede herhaalde akute pleometriese oefeningsessie deelgeneem. Akute intervensie: kreatienkinase (KK) aktiwiteit het betekenisvol verhoog na die enkel pleometriese oefeningsessie in all proefpersone (basislyn: 129 tot op dag vier: 5348 U/l). Hierdie is vergesel met ‘n toename in die persepsie van pyn, c-reaktiewe proteïen (CRP) ‘n merker van inflammasie sowel as witbloedselle (WBS). Elektronmikrograwe van spierbiopsies wat geneem is drie dae na afloop van die oefeninge, het tekens van ultrastrukturele skade en membraanskade getoon wat ook deur immunofluoresensie duidelik warneembaar was deur die verlies van distrofienverkleuring. ‘n Verrekking van die c-terminus van titin is ook waargeneem deur middel van immunogold. Westernblot analyse het ‘n toename in calpain-3 outolise getoon. Gegrond op individuele KK response (KK grense: 153-71,024 U/L na vier dae post oefening) is 26 proefpersone verdeel in twee groepe naamlik ‘n hoë (n=10) en lae responders (n=16). Oefeningintervensie:: Na oefening het die geoefende groep nie ‘n toename in KK aktiwiteit getoon nie (KK aktiwiteit (110.0 U/l)), pynervaring, CRP, WBS, Z-lynstroming, ‘n strekking van titin of calpain-3 aktivering; terwyl in die kontrole groep daar slegs twee proefpersone met Z-lynstroming geïdentifiseer is. Die resultate wyse daarop dat hoë responders ‘n meer uitgesproke inflammatoriese reaksie toon vergeleke met die lae responders na afloop van essentriese oefening. Daar word dus meer WBS en spesifiek meer neutrofiele na beskadigde areas gelokaliseer wat in grootter membraanskade deur respiratoriese inspanning in die hoë responders. Hierdie skade kan beperk word deur oefening waardeur hermodulering van sarkomeriese proteïene via calpain aktivering tot stabiele rangskiking van proteïene in die sarcomere lei en daardeur proteïen vrystelling verhinder. / The NRF for financial assistance

A Lesão Renal Aguda (LRA) é a complicação mais grave da rabdomiólise. Nessa síndrome, a liberação do pigmento heme desencadeia uma lesão que se caracteriza por vasoconstrição glomerular e toxicidade celular direta com componente oxidativo. A lesão oxidativa desencadeada é uma das linhas fisiopatológicas mais intrigantes. A renoproteção com antioxidantes tem demonstrado efeito satisfatório. As proantocianidinas são antioxidantes naturais encontrados no extrato da semente da uva. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito antioxidante da Vitis vinifera (extrato da semente de uva) sobre a função renal de ratos submetidos à lesão por rabdomiólise. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar, adultos machos, pesando entre 250-300 gramas. A LRA foi induzida pela administração de glicerol 50% i.m (intramuscular). Os animais foram distribuídos em 4 grupos: grupo Salina (6ml/Kg de NaCl 0,9% via intraperitoneal (i.p) 1 vez ao dia), grupo Glicerol (6ml/Kg de glicerol i.m, cada região femoral recebeu 3ml/Kg de glicerol, 1 vez ao dia), grupo Vitis vinifera (3mg/Kg v.o por 5 dias) e grupo Glicerol+Vitis vinifera que recebeu Vitis vinifera por 5 dias antes do glicerol. Foram avaliados o marcador de lesão muscular (CK), a função renal (FR), a função tubular (FENa e FEK), o perfil oxidativo (peróxidos urinários-FOX-2 e MDA-TBARS) , a histologia e morfometria renal. O grupo Glicerol tratado com Vitis vinifera apresentou melhora da FR e tubular, redução dos níveis da peroxidação lipídica e melhora da histologia renal. Os resultados deste estudo confirmaram a proteção antioxidante, com repercussão histológica, da Vitis vinifera na LRA induzida por glicerol. / The Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is the worst complication of rhabdomyolysis. In this syndrome, the delivery of heme pigment induces an injury that distinguishes itself by glomerular vasoconstriction and direct cellular toxicity with oxidative component. The oxidative injury is an intriguing one of the pathophysiological mechanism. The renoprotection with antioxidants has demonstrated satisfactory effect. The proanthocyanidins are natural antioxidants found in grape seed extract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of Vitis vinifera (grape seed extract) on the renal function of rats submitted to the injury by rhabdomyolysis. Wistar rats, male, adults, weight ranging from 250-300 g were used. The AKI was induced intramuscular (i.m.) administration of glycerol 50%. The animals were distributed in 4 groups: Saline group (6ml/Kg of NaCl 0,9% intraperitoneal (i.p) once a day), Glycerol group (6ml/Kg of glycerol i.m, each femoral region received 3ml/Kg of glycerol, once a day), Vitis vinifera group (3mg/Kg v.o by 5 days) and Glycerol+Vitis vinifera group that has received Vitis vinifera by 5 days before glycerol. Marker of muscular injury (CK), renal function (RF), the tubular function (FENa and FEK), the oxidative profile (urinary peroxides -FOX-2 and MDA-TBARS), the histological and kidney morphometric were evaluated. The Glycerol group treated with Vitis vinifera has shown improvements in RF and tubular, reduction of levels of lipid peroxidation and amelioration of kidney histology. The results of this study have confirmed the antioxidant protection, with histological repercussion of Vitis vinifera in AKI induced by glycerol.

A Lesão Renal Aguda (LRA) é a complicação mais grave da rabdomiólise. Nessa síndrome, a liberação do pigmento heme desencadeia uma lesão que se caracteriza por vasoconstrição glomerular e toxicidade celular direta com componente oxidativo. A lesão oxidativa desencadeada é uma das linhas fisiopatológicas mais intrigantes. A renoproteção com antioxidantes tem demonstrado efeito satisfatório. As proantocianidinas são antioxidantes naturais encontrados no extrato da semente da uva. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito antioxidante da Vitis vinifera (extrato da semente de uva) sobre a função renal de ratos submetidos à lesão por rabdomiólise. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar, adultos machos, pesando entre 250-300 gramas. A LRA foi induzida pela administração de glicerol 50% i.m (intramuscular). Os animais foram distribuídos em 4 grupos: grupo Salina (6ml/Kg de NaCl 0,9% via intraperitoneal (i.p) 1 vez ao dia), grupo Glicerol (6ml/Kg de glicerol i.m, cada região femoral recebeu 3ml/Kg de glicerol, 1 vez ao dia), grupo Vitis vinifera (3mg/Kg v.o por 5 dias) e grupo Glicerol+Vitis vinifera que recebeu Vitis vinifera por 5 dias antes do glicerol. Foram avaliados o marcador de lesão muscular (CK), a função renal (FR), a função tubular (FENa e FEK), o perfil oxidativo (peróxidos urinários-FOX-2 e MDA-TBARS) , a histologia e morfometria renal. O grupo Glicerol tratado com Vitis vinifera apresentou melhora da FR e tubular, redução dos níveis da peroxidação lipídica e melhora da histologia renal. Os resultados deste estudo confirmaram a proteção antioxidante, com repercussão histológica, da Vitis vinifera na LRA induzida por glicerol. / The Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is the worst complication of rhabdomyolysis. In this syndrome, the delivery of heme pigment induces an injury that distinguishes itself by glomerular vasoconstriction and direct cellular toxicity with oxidative component. The oxidative injury is an intriguing one of the pathophysiological mechanism. The renoprotection with antioxidants has demonstrated satisfactory effect. The proanthocyanidins are natural antioxidants found in grape seed extract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of Vitis vinifera (grape seed extract) on the renal function of rats submitted to the injury by rhabdomyolysis. Wistar rats, male, adults, weight ranging from 250-300 g were used. The AKI was induced intramuscular (i.m.) administration of glycerol 50%. The animals were distributed in 4 groups: Saline group (6ml/Kg of NaCl 0,9% intraperitoneal (i.p) once a day), Glycerol group (6ml/Kg of glycerol i.m, each femoral region received 3ml/Kg of glycerol, once a day), Vitis vinifera group (3mg/Kg v.o by 5 days) and Glycerol+Vitis vinifera group that has received Vitis vinifera by 5 days before glycerol. Marker of muscular injury (CK), renal function (RF), the tubular function (FENa and FEK), the oxidative profile (urinary peroxides -FOX-2 and MDA-TBARS), the histological and kidney morphometric were evaluated. The Glycerol group treated with Vitis vinifera has shown improvements in RF and tubular, reduction of levels of lipid peroxidation and amelioration of kidney histology. The results of this study have confirmed the antioxidant protection, with histological repercussion of Vitis vinifera in AKI induced by glycerol.

Les rhabdomyolyses correspondent à la destruction de fibres musculaires striées squelettiques et mettent en jeu le pronostic vital. La principale cause génétique est liée à un défaut d’oxydation des acides gras ; néanmoins, plus de la moitié des cas n’ont pas de cause identifiée. En 2008, des mutations du gène LPIN1 ont été rapportées comme une nouvelle étiologie de rhabdomyolyse de transmission autosomique récessive. La protéine lipin1 a une double fonction : un rôle de PAP1 intervenant dans la synthèse du triacylglycérol et des phospholipides membranaires ; un rôle de co-activateur transcriptionnel en association avec les PPARs et PGC1α pour réguler de nombreux gènes impliqués dans le métabolisme, dont certains de l’OAG. Lipin1 a deux homologues, lipin2 et lipin3, qui possèdent une activité PAP1 et un site de fixation à des récepteurs nucléaires tels que les PPARs. Nous avons montré que les mutations de LPIN1 rendent compte de plus de 50% des cas de rhabdomyolyse sévère de la petite enfance, une fois écarté le diagnostic de déficit de l’OAG. Une délétion intragénique en phase a été fréquemment identifiée chez les Caucasiens. Nous avons montré qu’il s’agissait d’un probable effet fondateur et que cette délétion est délétère. En effet, à l’inverse de la forme normale de lipin1, la forme délétée est incapable de complémenter la levure pah1, déficiente pour l’homologue de LPIN1. Nous avons ensuite étudié, dans une série de 171 patients, l’implication de LPIN1 dans des pathologies musculaires moins sévères, ainsi que le rôle des deux homologues LPIN2 et LPIN3. Les mutations de LPIN1 sont impliquées dans les rhabdomyolyses sévères et précoces uniquement et les accès de rhabdomyolyse ont toujours un facteur déclenchant, le principal étant les infections aiguës fébriles. Aucune altération majeure de LPIN2 et de LPIN3 n’a été identifiée, même dans des phénotypes modérés. Enfin, nous avons cultivé des myoblastes et des myotubes de patients avec mutations de LPIN1 afin d’étudier les mécanismes de rhabdomyolyse. Les myoblastes déficients en lipin1 ont une activité PAP1 très diminuée et une accumulation de gouttelettes lipidiques. Le niveau d’expression des gènes cibles des facteurs de transcription co-activés par lipin1 (PPARδ, PPARα, PGC1α, ACADVL, CPT1B and CPT2) sont inchangés par rapport aux contrôles, alors que le niveau de lipin2 est augmenté. L’analyse transcriptomique sur cultures de myotubes a identifié chez les patients 19 gènes sous-exprimés et 51 sur-exprimés, notamment ACACB, qui code pour Accβ, enzyme clé de la balance synthèse d’acides gras/OAG. L’invalidation d’ACACB par siRNA dans des myoblastes déficients en lipin1 diminue le nombre de gouttelettes lipidiques, confirmant le lien entre la sur-expression d’ACACB et l’accumulation d’acides gras libres chez les patients. Cependant, le taux de malonyl-CoA, produit d’Accβ, et l’activité CPT1 (étape limitatrice de l’OAG, inhibée par le malonyl-CoA), sont comparables entre myoblastes de patients et de contrôles. Néanmoins, le traitement des cultures par l’association de tumor necrosis factor alpha et d’interleukine-1 β, choisis pour simuler les conditions pro-inflammatoires des infections aiguës, entraîne une augmentation encore plus poussée du taux de malonyl-CoA, une diminution de l’activité CPT1 et une augmentation de l’accumulation de gouttelettes lipidiques chez les patients. Au total, nos données placent LPIN1 comme une cause importante de rhabdomyolyse héréditaire. Le déficit en lipin1 entraine une perturbation du métabolisme lipidique, via une sur-expression d’ACACB, qui est exacerbée en conditions pro-inflammatoires. Nos résultats suggèrent que les conséquences du déficit en lipin1 sont compensées par des mécanismes d'adaptation suffisants en condition normale, mais insuffisants pour la demande métabolique induite par des stress environnementaux comme l'infection, conduisant aux rhabdomyolyses. / Rhabdomyolyses correspond to the destruction of skeletal muscular fibers and are possibly life-threatening. The main genetic cause is linked to defects of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) ; nevertheless, half of the cases have no identified aetiology. In 2008, mutations of LPIN1 gene have been reported as a new cause of autosomal recessive rhabdomyolysis. Lipin1 protein has a double function : 1) a role of phosphatidate phosphatase 1 (PAP1) involved in synthesis of triacylglycerol and membrane phospholipids ; 2) a role of transcriptional co-activator which regulates, in association with the PPARs (peroxysome-proliferator activated receptor) and PGC1α (PPARγ-coactivator1α), numerous genes involved in the metabolism including some genes encoding FAO enzymes. Lipin1 has got two homologues, lipin2 and lipin3, which have a PAP1 activity and a binding site for nuclear receptors, such as the PPARs. We have shown that LPIN1 mutations account for more than 50% of the cases of severe rhabdomyolysis of early infancy, when FAO defects have been excluded. An intragenic in frame deletion has been frequently identified in Caucasians. We have shown that it probably comes from a founding effect and that this deletion is deleterious. Unlike normal lipin1, deleted lipin1 protein is unable to complement the Δpah1 yeast which is defective for the yeast LPIN1 homolog. In a series of 171 patients, we have further studied the involvement LPIN1 in less severe muscular diseases, as well as the role of the two homologues LPIN2 and LPIN3. LPIN1 mutations are involved only in severe and early rhabdomyolyses and the bouts of rhabdomyolysis always have a triggerring factor, mainly acute febrile infections. No major alteration of LPIN2 and LPIN3 has been identified, even in milder phenotypes. Eventually, we have cultivated myoblasts and myotubes of patients with LPIN1 mutations in order to study the mechanisms of the rhabdomyolysis. Lipin1-deficient myoblasts have a drastically decreased PAP1 activity and an accumulation of lipid droplets. The expression level of target genes of the transcription factors co-activated by lipin1 (PPARδ, PPARα, PGC1α, acyl-Coenzyme A very long chain dehydrogenase (ACADVL), carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1B and 2 (CPT1B and CPT2)) are similar to controls, whereas the level of lipin2 is increased. Transcriptomic analysis of myotube cultures have identified in patients 19 under-expressed genes and 51 over-expressed ones, notably ACACB, which encodes Accβ (acetyl-CoA carboxylase β), key enzyme of the balance between fatty acid synthesis and FAO. ACACB invalidation by siRNA in lipin1-deficient myoblasts decreases the number of lipid droplets, comforting the link between ACACB over-expression and free fatty acid accumulation in patients. However, the level of malonyl-CoA, product of Accβ, and CPT1 activity (limitative step of FAO, inhibited by malonyl-CoA), are similar between myoblasts of patients and controls. But treatment of the cultures with an association of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-1 β (TNFα + IL-1β), chosen for mimicking pro-inflammatory conditions of acute infections, leads to a further increase of the level of malonyl-CoA, a decrease of CPT1 activity and an increase of lipid droplets accumulation in patients. In total, our data show that LPIN1 is an important cause of inherited rhabdomyolysis. Lipin1 deficiency leads to a disturbance of the lipidic metabolism, via ACACB over-expression, which is exacerbated in pro-inflammatory conditions. Our results suggest that the consequences of lipin1 deficiency are counterbalanced by adaptative mechanisms which are sufficient at basal state, but insufficient for the metabolic request induced by environmental stresses, such as infections, leading to the rhabdomyolyses. Next step is the study of adipose tissue and the establishment of the inflammatory signature of the patients, in order to determine if this new disease is an auto-inflammatory pathology.

No description available.

Lowering LDL-cholesterol with statin therapy produces substantial reductions in cardiovascular events, and larger cholesterol reductions may produce larger benefits. Rarely, myopathy occurs with statins, especially at higher doses and in combination with certain medications. Similarly strong associations might exist between myopathy with high-dose statin regimens and genetic variants, especially those affecting blood statin levels. This study aimed to find genetic variants associated with statin-induced myopathy. A feasibility study was completed to assess whether plausible effect sizes of 5 to10-fold higher risks per genetic variants could be detected among 50-100 cases with statin-induced myopathy and to consider the best study design. A genome-wide association study was then carried out using approximately 300,000 genetic markers (and additional fine-mapping) in 85 people with definite or incipient myopathy and 90 controls, who were all taking 80mg simvastatin daily in a 12,000 participant trial of 80mg vs 20mg simvastatin daily. The cases were also compared to 2,300 additional controls who had not been exposed to intensive-dose statin therapy. Replication of the myopathy result and lipid-lowering associations were tested in a 20,000 participant trial of 40mg simvastatin daily versus placebo. The genome-wide scan yielded a single strong association (p = 4x10^-9) of myopathy with the rs4363657 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located within the SLCO1B1 gene on chromosome 12. This non-coding SNP was in nearly complete linkage disequilibrium (r²=0.97) with the non-synonymous rs4149056 SNP. The population prevalence of the rs4149056 C allele was 15%, and the odds ratio for myopathy was 4.5 (95% confidence interval 2.6 to 7.7) for each copy of the C allele and 16.9 (4.7 to 61.1) for CC vs TT homozygotes. Over 60% of these myopathy cases could be attributed to the C variant. The SLCO1B1 gene encodes the organic anion transport polypeptide OATP1B1, which has been shown to regulate hepatic uptake of statins. In literature reports, rs4149056 reduced statin transport and was associated with 37% (31% to 44%) higher systemic statin acid levels per C allele. The association of rs4149056 with myopathy was replicated in the trial of 40mg simvastatin daily, which also showed that it was associated with the cholesterol-lowering effects of simvastatin. No SNPs in any other region were clearly associated with myopathy (although comparison of the myopathy cases with the 2,300 controls identified a region of chromosome 1p12 that warrants further study). This study identified common variants in SLCO1B1 that influence the risks of statin-induced myopathy substantially. Genotyping these variants may be useful for tailoring both the statin dose and safety monitoring. More generally, such studies of the genetic determinants of serious adverse reactions with other drug classes may help to improve the balance between treatment efficacy and safety.

A rabdomiólise é uma causa importante de lesão renal aguda (LRA) e decorre da lise das células musculares esqueléticas, com liberação do conteúdo intracelular para o compartimento extracelular e para a circulação. O extresse oxidativo e o processo inflamatório contribui para as alterações da função e estrutura renal que ocorrem na LRA. Estudos recentes tem evidenciado a participação da Vitamina D (Vit. D) no controle do processo inflamatório e do estresse oxidativo. Este estudo avaliou o efeito do tratamento com calcitriol (1,25-dihidroxivitamina D3) na evolução das alterações de estrutura e função renal, estresse oxidativo e no processo inflamatório renal provocados pela administração de glicerol. Ratos Wistar Hannover machos foram tratados com calcitriol (6 ng/dia, s.c., osmotic pump) ou veículo (salina 0,9%) por 7 dias, sendo no 3º dia injetados com glicerol (50%; 8ml/kg, i.m.) ou salina (8ml/kg, i.m). Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos: Controle (n=7): receberam veículo s.c. e no 3º dia, injeção i.m de salina; Controle+Vit. D (n=7): receberam calcitriol s.c. e no 3º dia, injeção i.m de salina; Glicerol (n=13): receberam veículo s.c. e no 3º dia, injeção i.m de glicerol; Glicerol+Vit.D (n=10): receberam calcitriol s.c. e no 3º dia, injeção i.m de glicerol. Quatro dias após as injeções foram coletadas amostras de urina, plasma e tecido renal para estudos de função renal, histologia, imunoistoquímica, ELISA e Western blot. Os animais do grupo Glicerol tiveram aumento dos níveis plasmáticos de creatinina, redução da taxa de filtração glomerular, aumento da fração de excreção de sódio e redução da osmolalidade urinária comparados com os dos grupos controles. A análise histológica evidenciou aumento da área intersticial relativa e do número de túbulos com necrose no córtex renal dos animais tratados com glicerol. A lesão tubular foi também constatada pelo aumento da expressão de vimentina e PCNA nos animais do grupo Glicerol, em relação aos controles e ao grupo Glicerol+ Vit. D. Essas alterações foram menos intensas no grupo Glicerol+ Vit. D. A expressão de mioglobina estava aumentada no tecido renal de ambos os grupos tratados com glicerol. O estresse oxidativo foi observado pela aumento da expressão de 8-isoprostano nos animais do grupo Glicerol, essa alteração não estava presente nos animais controles e nos animais Glicerol+Vit. D. Ambos os grupos tratados com glicerol tiveram aumento do número de macrófagos, da expressão de NF-?B e dos níveis de IL1-? no córtex renal. Essas alterações foram atenuadas pelo tratamento com Vit. D. O grupo Glicerol apresentou também maior excreção urinária de VDBP, proteína transportadora de Vit. D e menor número de túbulos com bordadura em escova marcados com cubulina, receptor de Vit. D, em comparação aos grupos Controles e Glicerol+Vit. D. Portanto, a redução do receptor e a perda do transportador, reduz a captação de Vit. D nesse modelo, comprometendo a ativação renal de Vit. D e a sua ação no processo inflamatório e no estresse oxidativo no tecido renal. Concluindo, nossos resultados mostram que o tratamento com calcitriol reduziu as alterações de função e estrutura renal provocadas pelo glicerol. Esse efeito estava associado com a diminuição do processo inflamatório e do estresse oxidativo no tecido renal dos animais tratados com Glicerol+Vit. D. / Rhabdomyolysis provoked by the lysis of skeletal muscle cells can induce acute kidney injury (AKI) with release of intracellular content to the extracellular compartment and circulation. The oxidative stress and the inflammatory process contribute to the changes in renal function and structure in AKI. Recent studies have show the effect of vitamin D (Vit. D) on inflammatory process control and in the oxidative stress. This study evaluated the effect of calcitriol (1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D3) in the renal function and structure induced by glycerol and its relationship with the inflammatory process and the oxidative stress. Male Wistar Hannover rats were treated with calcitriol (6 ng/day, s.c., administered through an osmotic pump) or vehicle (saline 0.9%) for 7 days, and injected with glycerol (50%; 8ml/kg, i.m.) or saline (8ml/kg, i.m) 3 days after the beginning of this treatment. The animals were divided into 4 groups: Control (n = 7): received vehicle s.c. and on 3rd day after an injection i.m of saline; Control + Vit. D (n = 7): received Calcitriol s.c. and 3rd day after an injection i.m of saline; Glycerol (n = 13): received vehicle s.c and on 3rd day after an injection i.m of glycerol and Glycerol + Vit. D (n = 10): received Calcitriol s.c. and 3rd day after an injection i.m of glycerol. Four days after injections, urine samples, plasma and renal tissue were collected for renal function, histology, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and Western blot studies. Glycerol injected rats presented increase in plasma creatinine levels and sodium fractional excretion, and reduction glomerular filtration rate and urinary osmolality compared to controls groups. Histological analysis showed an increase in the relative interstitial area and in the number of tubules with necrosis in the renal cortex of these animals treated with glycerol. The tubular lesion was also evidenced by increased expression of vimentin and PCNA in the animals of the Glycerol group compared to controls. These changes were less intense in the Glycerol + Vit. D group. The myoglobin expression was increased in the renal tissue of both groups of the animal treated with glycerol. The oxidative stress was observed by the increased expression of 8-isoprostane in the kidneys from Glycerol group. However, this change was not observed in the control and Glycerol + Vit. D treated rats. Both glycerol-treated groups had increased number of macrophages, NF-?B expression and IL1- ? levels in the renal cortex. These changes were less intense in Vit. D treated animals. Glycerol group also presented higher urinary excretion of VDBP and less number of tubules with brush border marked with cubilin (Vit. D receptor) compared to the Control and Glycerol + Vit. D. Therefore, the reduction of the receptor and the loss of the transporter, reduces the uptake of Vit. D in this model, compromising the renal activation of Vit. D and its action in the inflammatory process and oxidative stress in renal tissue. In conclusion, our results show that treatment with calcitriol reduced the changes in renal function and structure caused by glycerol. This effect was associated with decreased inflammatory process and oxidative stress in the renal tissue of animals treated with Glycerol + Vit. D.