The objective of this project is to explore the potential for enantiomer separation by preferential crystallization using tailor-made emulsions. Preferential crystallization is widely used as a means of separating pure enantiomers from racemic solutions. This is usually assisted by the addition of seed crystals of one enantiomer for which crystallization yields a conglomerate rather than a racemic compound. Three racemic materials, DL-threonine (stable conglomerate), R,S-2-chloromandelic acid (racemic compound with the occurrence of a metastable conglomerate) and R,S-clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate (stable racemic compound) were chosen based on their different racemic properties to both develop and test the limitations of an emulsion crystallization process. Since threonine is reported to form only a stable conglomerate it seemed an ideal material to use for the development of an emulsion crystallization process. Indeed this was successful with enantiomer enrichments of up to 88 % of the D-enantiomer being achievable. 2-Chloromandelic acid is reported to crystallize as a stable racemic compound but with both metastable (polymorphic) compound and conglomerate known. An investigation into solution crystallization was performed as a means of preparing the metastable conglomerate and also to explore the possibility of developing an emulsion crystallization process in this system. Crystallization of 2-chloromandelic acid yielded both stable and metastable racemic compounds and the metastable conglomerate. Solubility data of the pure enantiomer, stable racemic compound and metastable conglomerate have been determined in acetonitrile and a robust drown-out method developed for consistent preparation of the conglomerate in diethyl ether. In situ UV-Vis spectroscopy studies revealed that in a stirred slurry, the metastable conglomerate converts to the stable racemic compound in approximately 10 minutes at 15 °C. This time scale defined the subsequent process of preferential crystallization from a seeded, tailor-made, non-aqueous emulsion which was successful in providing a route to a product with significant chiral enrichment of the R-enantiomer. R,S-Clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate is a stable compound forming system, which has been reported in patents to form six different polymorphs. The possibility of conglomerate formation is not known. During the course of this work, attempts were made to preferentially crystallize one enantiomer from an already enriched racemic solution. This was unsuccessful, largely due to the fact that the pure enantiomer was found to be more soluble that the enriched starting material. No evidence of a conglomerate was found, but an amorphous form and four crystalline forms of S-clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate (S-I, S-II, S-III and S-IV) have been crystallized from various solvents via different crystallization conditions. Forms III and IV are believed to be present as hydrates which are not currently reported in the literature. The amorphous form and crystalline polymorphs have been characterized using DSC, pXRD and FTIR, of which data for the latter technique is lacking in the literature. Overall this thesis demonstrates the development of both aqueous and non-aqueous emulsion crystallisation processes for enantiomer separations, highlighting the importance of the phase behaviour of the solute as a major determinant for success.

Healthcare providers often are faced with the challenge of determining an appropriate length of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for patients who have had percutaneous coronary intervention and stent placement. This is an especially challenging clinical decision for patients with drug-eluting stents, as several studies show different results when assessing risk and benefit.

O presente estudo avaliou o perfil farmacogenômico de 338 pacientes, sob terapia antiagregante. Os pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento prévio com AAS (100mg/dia) e clopidogrel (75mg/dia) por no mínimo cinco dias antes da angioplastia coronária. Os indivíduos com resposta considerada indesejada <30% de inibição de PRU (do inglês, P2RY12 Reaction Unit) para clopidogrel e >550 ARU (do inglês, Aspirin Reaction Unit), foram considerados como não respondedores. As concentrações plasmáticas dos antiagregantes foram determinadas por cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massa do tipo triploquadrupolo (LC-MS/MS). A taxa da inibição da agregação plaquetária foi medida utilizando-se o sistema VerifyNow®. A expressão gênica global das células totais do sangue periférico foi avaliada pela tecnologia de microarranjos de DNA Human Exon ST 1.0 Array. Características genotípicas dos pacientes também foram avaliadas pelo sistema Sequenom®. Assim, foi possível obter como resultados a identificação de 64% e 10% para pacientes não respondedores ao clopidogrel e AAS respectivamente, sendo que para o primeiro foi possível identificar a associação desta não resposta a variáveis clínicas como diabetes (p = 0,003), hipertensão (p = 0,011) e hábito de fumar (p = 0,041) e sexo (p = 0,022) e idade dos pacientes (p = 0,004) em relação à resposta ao AAS. O método de quantificação simultânea do clopidogrel, seu metabólito majoritário e do AS (metabólito do AAS), apresentou limites de quantificação entre de 2 a 500 ng/mL, 2 a 2000 ng/mL e de 20 a 2000 ng/mL, respectivamente. O estudo de associação encontrou uma relação significante da presença dos SNPs presentes nos genes CYP5A1 (rs2299890) e CYP2C19 (rs4244285 e rs3758580), com a variação na resposta ao clopidogrel, obtendo um valor de p corrigido pelo teste de permutação inferior a 0,001. Como também, uma fraca associação da variação na resposta do AAS com o SNP rs9605030 do gene COMT (p = 0,009). Os resultados do microarranjos relacionaram a resposta terapêutica ao clopidogrel com os genes CA2, MKRN1, ABCC3 e MBP seguido dos genes NFIA e IGF1R para a resposta ao AAS. Concluindo que o estudo farmacogenômico apresentou todo o seu potencial para relacionar variáveis como resposta, concentração farmacológica plasmática, SNPs e expressão global de RNAm, possibilitando assim compreender melhor a variação no tratamento antiagregante. / This study investigated the pharmacogenomics profile of 338 patients under antiplatelet therapy. Patients undergoing pretreatment with ASA (100 mg/day) and clopidogrel (75mg/day) for at least five days prior to coronary angioplasty. Individuals with response <30% of PRU (P2RY12 reaction unit) were considering non responder for clopidogrel and >550 of ARU (aspirin reaction unit), were considered as non responders for ASA. Plasma concentrations of the antiagregation drugs were determined by liquid chromatography followed mass spectrometry of triple quadrupole detection (LC-MS/MS). The rate of inhibition of platelet aggregation was measured using the VerifyNow® system. The global gene expression of total cells in blood was assessed by DNA microarray technology Human Exon 1.0 ST Array. Genotypic characteristics of the patients were also evaluated by the Sequenom® system. Thus it was possible to obtain results such as identification of 64% and 10% for patients non responders to clopidogrel and aspirin respectively, and for the first could identify the association of this response to variables such as diabetes (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.011) and smoking (p = 0.041) for clopidogrel and sex and age in relation to response to ASA (p = 0.022 and p = 0.004, respectively). The method of simultaneous quantification of clopidogrel and its major metabolite of AS (metabolite of ASA), had quantification limits between 200 to 500 ng/mL 2000-2000 ng/mL and 20 to 2000 ng/mL, respectively. The association study found a significant grating presence of SNPs present in genes CYP5A1 (rs2299890) and CYP2C19 (rs4244285 and rs3758580), with the variation in the response to clopidogrel, obtaining a corrected p value by permutation test below 0.001. As well, a weak association of variation in the response of ASA with the SNP rs9605030 of the gene COMT (p = 0.009). The results of microarray related therapeutic response to clopidogrel with genes CA2, MKRN1, ABCC3 and MBP followed by NFIA and IGF1R genes for response to ASA. Concluding that the pharmacogenomics study showed its potential to relate variables such as response, plasma drug concentration, SNPs and global expression of mRNA, thus enabling better understand the variation in antiplatelet treatment.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os Inibidores de Bombas de Prótons (IBP´s) são comumente prescritos a pacientes em uso de dupla antiagregação plaquetária (DAP) com ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS) e clopidogrel. Entretanto, esta classe de medicamentos, especialmente o omeprazol, tem sido associada à redução da potência antiplaquetária do clopidogrel, levando em muitos casos ao uso de ranitidina como alternativa. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados pacientes com doença arterial coronária (DAC) estável em uso de AAS 100 mg uma vez ao dia. A agregabilidade plaquetária foi medida no momento basal e após uma semana de terapia com clopidogrel na dose de 75 mg uma vez ao dia. Após essa fase inicial, os participantes foram randomizados de modo duplo-cego e duplo-mascarado para omeprazol 20 mg duas vezes dia ou ranitidina 150 mg duas vezes ao dia, sendo os testes de agregação plaquetária novamente repetidos após uma semana. A agregabilidade foi avaliada com a utilização dos seguintes métodos: VerifyNow P2Y12® (Accumetrics - San Diego, CA, EUA, meta principal do estudo), utilizando-se Unidades de Reatividade ao P2Y12 (\"P2Y12 Reactivity Units\" - PRU) e Inibição Percentual da Agregabilidade (IPA) na descrição da agregabilidade; agregometria de sangue total (AST) por bioimpedância utilizando os reagentes ADP e colágeno, sendo a agregabilidade medida em Ohms; \"Platelet Function Analyser\" 100® (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics®, Newark, Delaware, EUA) utilizando o cartucho de colágeno/ADP, com a agregabilidade avaliada pelo tempo de fechamento do orifício em segundos. Além disso, foi feita dosagem de tromboxano B2 (TXB2) sérico na última visita a fim de se avaliar o efeito do AAS. RESULTADOS: Oitenta e cinco pacientes foram incluídos na análise final, sendo 41 no grupo omeprazol e 44 no grupo ranitidina. Houve redução significativa da IPA após o acréscimo de omeprazol (de 26,3 ± 32,9% para 17,4 ± 33,1%; P = 0,025), enquanto o grupo ranitidina não demonstrou modificação significativa (de 32,6 ± 28,9% para 30,1 ± 31,3%; P = 0,310). Levando-se em conta o valor em PRU, houve um aumento numérico porém não significativo estatisticamente no grupo omeprazol (de 159,73 ± 83,06 para 173,54 ± 72,29; P = 0,116) enquanto no grupo ranitidina houve uma diferença muito pequena (de 153,61 ± 70,12 to 158,77 ± 76,37; P = 0,440). Em relação aos demais testes de agregabilidade e à dosagem de TXB2 sérico, não houve alterações significativas em qualquer um dos grupos. CONCLUSÃO: A ranitidina não influenciou o efeito antiplaquetário do clopidogrel, ao contrário do omeprazol, que reduziu a atividade antiplaquetária do medicamento. Esses achados podem ter um importante impacto na tomada de decisão quanto ao protetor gástrico a ser utilizado em pacientes submetidos a DAP com AAS e clopidogrel. / BACKGROUND: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed to patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel. However, this class of medication, especially omeprazole, has been associated with a reduction of clopidogrel efficacy, leading many to substitute omeprazole with ranitidine. METHODS: The present study analyzed patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) in use of ASA 100 mg daily. Platelet aggregability was measured at baseline and after one week of clopidogrel 75 mg daily. Then, the subjects were randomized, in a double-blinded, doubledummy fashion, to omeprazole 20 mg twice a day or ranitidine 150 mg twice a day. After one more week, aggregability tests were repeated. Platelet aggregability was evaluated by the following methods: VerifyNow P2Y12TM (Accumetrics - San Diego, California, USA, main endpoint of the study), with aggregability depicted as percent Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation (IPA) and as P2Y12 Reactivity Units (PRU); whole blood aggregometry by bioimpendance using ADP and collagen with aggregability measured in Ohms; and Platelet Function Analyser 100TM (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Newark, Delaware, USA) using collagen/ADP cartridge with aggregability measured in time to closure in seconds. Besides that, serum thromboxane B2 dosage was done on the last visit to evaluate ASA effect. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included in final analysis (41 in the omeprazole group and 44 in the ranitidine group). IPA was significantly decreased after addition of omeprazole (from 26.3% ± 32.9 to 17.4% ± 33,1; P = 0.025), with no significant changes being observed in the ranitidine group (from 32.6% ± 28.9 to 30.1% ± 31.3; P = 0.310). When taking into account PRU values, there was a numerical, but statistically non-significant increase in the omeprazole group (from 159.73 ± 83.06 to 173.54 ± 72.29; P = 0.116), with a very slight difference in the ranitidine group (from 153.61 ± 70.12 to 158.77 ± 76.37; P = 0.44). There were no significant changes taking into account other aggregability tests and serum thromboxane B2 dosage. CONCLUSION: In patients with stable CAD, ranitidine did not influence clopidogrel antiplatelet activity, in contrast to omeprazole, which reduced antiplatelet drug effect. These findings may have a great impact in clinical decision making regarding gastrointestinal prophylaxis choice in patients taking DAPT with ASA and clopidogrel

A terapia antiagregante é comumente indicada na prevenção e tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares. A dupla antiagregação com clopidrogrel e ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS) tem sido frequentemente adotada em pacientes com Doença Arterial Coronariana (DAC), mas apresenta ineficácia em uma parcela significativa da população com genótipo de respondedores. Essa falha terapêutica nos leva a questionar se outros mecanismos moleculares podem estar influenciando na resposta a esses fármacos. Recentes estudos sugerem que pequenas sequências de RNA não codificantes denominadas microRNAs (miRNAs) podem estar fortemente relacionadas com resposta ao tratamento fármaco-terapêutico, controlando as proteínas envolvidas na farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica. Entretanto, os principais miRNAs que atuam na dinâmica da resposta medicamentosa ainda não foram bem definidos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil de miRNAs no sangue total periférico, procurando melhor esclarecer os mecanismos envolvidos na resposta aos antiagregantes plaquetários AAS e clopidogrel. Para isso, selecionou-se pacientes com DAC, os quais apresentavam diferentes respostas à dupla terapia de antiagregação determinadas pelo teste de agregação plaquetária. Baseados nos fenótipos, os perfis de expressão de miRNAs foram comparados entre os valores da taxa de agregação categorizados em tercis (T) de resposta. O grupo T1 foi constituído de pacientes respondedores, o T2 de respondedores intermediários e o T3 de não respondedores. Os perfis de miRNAs foram obtidos após sequenciamento de última geração e os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo pacote Deseq2. Os resultados mostraram 18 miRNAs diferentemente expressos entre os dois tercis extremos. Dentre esses miRNAs, 10 deles apresentaram importantes alvos relacionados com vias de ativação e agregação plaquetária quando analisados pelo software Ingenuity®. Dos 10 miRNAs, 4 deles, os quais apresentaram-se menos expressos no sequenciamento, demonstraram os mesmos perfis de expressão quando analisados pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase quantitativa (qPCR): hsa-miR-423-3p, hsa-miR-744-5p, hsa-miR- 30a-5p e hsa-let-7g-5p. A partir das análises de predição de alvos, pôde-se observar que os quatro miRNAs, quando menos expressos simultaneamente, predizem ativação da agregação plaquetária. Além disso, os miRNAs hsa-miR- 423-5p, hsa-miR-744-5p e hsa-let-7g-5p mostraram correlação com o perfil lipídico dos pacientes que, por sua vez, apresentou influência nos valores de agregação compreendidos no T3 de resposta a ambos os medicamentos. Sendo assim, conclui-se que maiores taxas de agregação plaquetária podem estar indiretamente relacionadas com os padrões de expressão de hsa-miR- 423-3p, hsa-miR-744-5p e hsa-let-7g-5p. Sugere-se que a avaliação do perfil de expressão destes 3 miRNAs no sangue periférico de pacientes com DAC possa predizer resposta terapêutica inadequada ao AAS e ao clopidogrel / The antiplatelet therapy is often indicated for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has often been adopted in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but it has been ineffective in a significant portion of the population with genotype of responders. This fact leads us to question whether other molecular mechanisms may be influencing the response to these drugs. Recent studies suggest that small non-coding RNA sequences known as microRNAs (miRNAs) may be closely related to response to drug-therapeutic treatment, controlling proteins involved in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of miRNAs in whole blood, looking to better clarify mechanisms involved in ASA and clopidogrel response. For this purpose, we selected CAD patients who showed different responses to dual antiplatelet therapy determined by aggregation test. Based on the phenotypes, the miRNA expression profiles were compared between the platelet aggregation values categorized into tertiles (T) of response. The T1 group consisted of responding patients, the T2 consisted of intermediate responders and the T3 consisted of non-responders. The miRNA profiles were obtained after next-generation sequencing and data were analyzed by Deseq2 package. Results showed that 18 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the two extreme tertiles. By Ingenuity® software prediction analysis, 10 miRNAs showed important targets related with activation and aggregation of blood platelets. Of the 10 miRNAs, 4 of them, which were down-expressed on sequencing, showed the same fold-regulation when expression profiles were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR): hsa-miR-423-3p, hsa-miR-744-5p, hsa-miR-30a-5p and has-hsa- let-7g-5p. By target prediction analysis, it was observed that, when the four miRNAs are simultaneously down-expressed, they predict activation of platelet aggregation. Furthermore, hsa-miR-423-5p, hsa-miR-744-5p, and hsa-let-7g-5p showed correlation with the lipid profile of patients which, in turn, demonstrated influence in aggregation values reaching T3 of response to both drugs. Therefore, we concluded that increased platelet aggregation rates may be indirectly related to the expression profiles of hsa-miR-423-3p, hsa-miR-744-5p and hsa-let-7g-5p. It is suggested that the evaluation of the expression profile of these three miRNAs in the peripheral blood of patients with CAD may predict inadequate therapeutic response to aspirin and clopidogrel.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os Inibidores de Bombas de Prótons (IBP´s) são comumente prescritos a pacientes em uso de dupla antiagregação plaquetária (DAP) com ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS) e clopidogrel. Entretanto, esta classe de medicamentos, especialmente o omeprazol, tem sido associada à redução da potência antiplaquetária do clopidogrel, levando em muitos casos ao uso de ranitidina como alternativa. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados pacientes com doença arterial coronária (DAC) estável em uso de AAS 100 mg uma vez ao dia. A agregabilidade plaquetária foi medida no momento basal e após uma semana de terapia com clopidogrel na dose de 75 mg uma vez ao dia. Após essa fase inicial, os participantes foram randomizados de modo duplo-cego e duplo-mascarado para omeprazol 20 mg duas vezes dia ou ranitidina 150 mg duas vezes ao dia, sendo os testes de agregação plaquetária novamente repetidos após uma semana. A agregabilidade foi avaliada com a utilização dos seguintes métodos: VerifyNow P2Y12® (Accumetrics - San Diego, CA, EUA, meta principal do estudo), utilizando-se Unidades de Reatividade ao P2Y12 (\"P2Y12 Reactivity Units\" - PRU) e Inibição Percentual da Agregabilidade (IPA) na descrição da agregabilidade; agregometria de sangue total (AST) por bioimpedância utilizando os reagentes ADP e colágeno, sendo a agregabilidade medida em Ohms; \"Platelet Function Analyser\" 100® (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics®, Newark, Delaware, EUA) utilizando o cartucho de colágeno/ADP, com a agregabilidade avaliada pelo tempo de fechamento do orifício em segundos. Além disso, foi feita dosagem de tromboxano B2 (TXB2) sérico na última visita a fim de se avaliar o efeito do AAS. RESULTADOS: Oitenta e cinco pacientes foram incluídos na análise final, sendo 41 no grupo omeprazol e 44 no grupo ranitidina. Houve redução significativa da IPA após o acréscimo de omeprazol (de 26,3 ± 32,9% para 17,4 ± 33,1%; P = 0,025), enquanto o grupo ranitidina não demonstrou modificação significativa (de 32,6 ± 28,9% para 30,1 ± 31,3%; P = 0,310). Levando-se em conta o valor em PRU, houve um aumento numérico porém não significativo estatisticamente no grupo omeprazol (de 159,73 ± 83,06 para 173,54 ± 72,29; P = 0,116) enquanto no grupo ranitidina houve uma diferença muito pequena (de 153,61 ± 70,12 to 158,77 ± 76,37; P = 0,440). Em relação aos demais testes de agregabilidade e à dosagem de TXB2 sérico, não houve alterações significativas em qualquer um dos grupos. CONCLUSÃO: A ranitidina não influenciou o efeito antiplaquetário do clopidogrel, ao contrário do omeprazol, que reduziu a atividade antiplaquetária do medicamento. Esses achados podem ter um importante impacto na tomada de decisão quanto ao protetor gástrico a ser utilizado em pacientes submetidos a DAP com AAS e clopidogrel. / BACKGROUND: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed to patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel. However, this class of medication, especially omeprazole, has been associated with a reduction of clopidogrel efficacy, leading many to substitute omeprazole with ranitidine. METHODS: The present study analyzed patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) in use of ASA 100 mg daily. Platelet aggregability was measured at baseline and after one week of clopidogrel 75 mg daily. Then, the subjects were randomized, in a double-blinded, doubledummy fashion, to omeprazole 20 mg twice a day or ranitidine 150 mg twice a day. After one more week, aggregability tests were repeated. Platelet aggregability was evaluated by the following methods: VerifyNow P2Y12TM (Accumetrics - San Diego, California, USA, main endpoint of the study), with aggregability depicted as percent Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation (IPA) and as P2Y12 Reactivity Units (PRU); whole blood aggregometry by bioimpendance using ADP and collagen with aggregability measured in Ohms; and Platelet Function Analyser 100TM (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Newark, Delaware, USA) using collagen/ADP cartridge with aggregability measured in time to closure in seconds. Besides that, serum thromboxane B2 dosage was done on the last visit to evaluate ASA effect. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included in final analysis (41 in the omeprazole group and 44 in the ranitidine group). IPA was significantly decreased after addition of omeprazole (from 26.3% ± 32.9 to 17.4% ± 33,1; P = 0.025), with no significant changes being observed in the ranitidine group (from 32.6% ± 28.9 to 30.1% ± 31.3; P = 0.310). When taking into account PRU values, there was a numerical, but statistically non-significant increase in the omeprazole group (from 159.73 ± 83.06 to 173.54 ± 72.29; P = 0.116), with a very slight difference in the ranitidine group (from 153.61 ± 70.12 to 158.77 ± 76.37; P = 0.44). There were no significant changes taking into account other aggregability tests and serum thromboxane B2 dosage. CONCLUSION: In patients with stable CAD, ranitidine did not influence clopidogrel antiplatelet activity, in contrast to omeprazole, which reduced antiplatelet drug effect. These findings may have a great impact in clinical decision making regarding gastrointestinal prophylaxis choice in patients taking DAPT with ASA and clopidogrel

O presente estudo avaliou o perfil farmacogenômico de 338 pacientes, sob terapia antiagregante. Os pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento prévio com AAS (100mg/dia) e clopidogrel (75mg/dia) por no mínimo cinco dias antes da angioplastia coronária. Os indivíduos com resposta considerada indesejada <30% de inibição de PRU (do inglês, P2RY12 Reaction Unit) para clopidogrel e >550 ARU (do inglês, Aspirin Reaction Unit), foram considerados como não respondedores. As concentrações plasmáticas dos antiagregantes foram determinadas por cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massa do tipo triploquadrupolo (LC-MS/MS). A taxa da inibição da agregação plaquetária foi medida utilizando-se o sistema VerifyNow®. A expressão gênica global das células totais do sangue periférico foi avaliada pela tecnologia de microarranjos de DNA Human Exon ST 1.0 Array. Características genotípicas dos pacientes também foram avaliadas pelo sistema Sequenom®. Assim, foi possível obter como resultados a identificação de 64% e 10% para pacientes não respondedores ao clopidogrel e AAS respectivamente, sendo que para o primeiro foi possível identificar a associação desta não resposta a variáveis clínicas como diabetes (p = 0,003), hipertensão (p = 0,011) e hábito de fumar (p = 0,041) e sexo (p = 0,022) e idade dos pacientes (p = 0,004) em relação à resposta ao AAS. O método de quantificação simultânea do clopidogrel, seu metabólito majoritário e do AS (metabólito do AAS), apresentou limites de quantificação entre de 2 a 500 ng/mL, 2 a 2000 ng/mL e de 20 a 2000 ng/mL, respectivamente. O estudo de associação encontrou uma relação significante da presença dos SNPs presentes nos genes CYP5A1 (rs2299890) e CYP2C19 (rs4244285 e rs3758580), com a variação na resposta ao clopidogrel, obtendo um valor de p corrigido pelo teste de permutação inferior a 0,001. Como também, uma fraca associação da variação na resposta do AAS com o SNP rs9605030 do gene COMT (p = 0,009). Os resultados do microarranjos relacionaram a resposta terapêutica ao clopidogrel com os genes CA2, MKRN1, ABCC3 e MBP seguido dos genes NFIA e IGF1R para a resposta ao AAS. Concluindo que o estudo farmacogenômico apresentou todo o seu potencial para relacionar variáveis como resposta, concentração farmacológica plasmática, SNPs e expressão global de RNAm, possibilitando assim compreender melhor a variação no tratamento antiagregante. / This study investigated the pharmacogenomics profile of 338 patients under antiplatelet therapy. Patients undergoing pretreatment with ASA (100 mg/day) and clopidogrel (75mg/day) for at least five days prior to coronary angioplasty. Individuals with response <30% of PRU (P2RY12 reaction unit) were considering non responder for clopidogrel and >550 of ARU (aspirin reaction unit), were considered as non responders for ASA. Plasma concentrations of the antiagregation drugs were determined by liquid chromatography followed mass spectrometry of triple quadrupole detection (LC-MS/MS). The rate of inhibition of platelet aggregation was measured using the VerifyNow® system. The global gene expression of total cells in blood was assessed by DNA microarray technology Human Exon 1.0 ST Array. Genotypic characteristics of the patients were also evaluated by the Sequenom® system. Thus it was possible to obtain results such as identification of 64% and 10% for patients non responders to clopidogrel and aspirin respectively, and for the first could identify the association of this response to variables such as diabetes (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.011) and smoking (p = 0.041) for clopidogrel and sex and age in relation to response to ASA (p = 0.022 and p = 0.004, respectively). The method of simultaneous quantification of clopidogrel and its major metabolite of AS (metabolite of ASA), had quantification limits between 200 to 500 ng/mL 2000-2000 ng/mL and 20 to 2000 ng/mL, respectively. The association study found a significant grating presence of SNPs present in genes CYP5A1 (rs2299890) and CYP2C19 (rs4244285 and rs3758580), with the variation in the response to clopidogrel, obtaining a corrected p value by permutation test below 0.001. As well, a weak association of variation in the response of ASA with the SNP rs9605030 of the gene COMT (p = 0.009). The results of microarray related therapeutic response to clopidogrel with genes CA2, MKRN1, ABCC3 and MBP followed by NFIA and IGF1R genes for response to ASA. Concluding that the pharmacogenomics study showed its potential to relate variables such as response, plasma drug concentration, SNPs and global expression of mRNA, thus enabling better understand the variation in antiplatelet treatment.

Despite the currently recommended dual antiplatelet treatment (DAT) with aspirin and P2Y12 inhibition in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) there is a risk of adverse clinical outcome. Pharmacodynamic (PD) poor response to clopidogrel occurs in ~ 30% of clopidogrel-treated patients and is associated with an increased risk of recurrent thrombotic events. The aims of this thesis were to compare the PD and pharmacokinetic effects of clopidogrel 600 mg loading dose (LD)/ 75 mg standard maintenance dose (MD) with the novel P2Y12 inhibitor prasugrel 60 mg LD/10 mg MD, in 110 patients with CAD. The mechanisms behind clopidogrel poor response were investigated by assessing the pharmacodynamics after adding clopidogrel active metabolite (AM) and genotyping for variation in CYP-genes involved in thienopyridine metabolism. In another study, we compared the on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity of patients with stent thrombosis (ST) (n=48) or myocardial infarction (MI) (n=30) while on DAT and their matched controls (n=50 + 28). Prasugrel achieved a faster and greater P2Y12-mediated platelet inhibition than clopidogrel measured with light transmission aggregometry, VASP and VerifyNow® P2Y12. Prasugrel’s greater platelet inhibition was associated with higher exposure of AM. The addition of clopidogrel AM led to maximal platelet inhibition in all subjects, suggesting that prasugrel’s greater antiplatelet effect was related to more efficient AM generation compared to that of clopidogrel. Lower levels of AM as well as less platelet inhibition were seen in clopidogrel-treated patients with reduced-metabolizer genotype CYP2C19 compared to those with normal genotype. Patients with ST while on DAT showed higher on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity compared to matched stented controls. Patients with spontaneous MI after stenting did not. In conclusion, these results showed a high rate PD poor response to a high bolus dose of clopidogrel because of a partly genetically caused lower generation of AM which could be overcome by prasugrel treatment. In patients after coronary stenting, clopidogrel poor response was related to ST but not to spontaneous MI, illustrating difficulties in optimizing treatment with clopidogrel based on platelet function or genetic testing in individual patients.

A terapia antiagregante é comumente indicada na prevenção e tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares. A dupla antiagregação com clopidrogrel e ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS) tem sido frequentemente adotada em pacientes com Doença Arterial Coronariana (DAC), mas apresenta ineficácia em uma parcela significativa da população com genótipo de respondedores. Essa falha terapêutica nos leva a questionar se outros mecanismos moleculares podem estar influenciando na resposta a esses fármacos. Recentes estudos sugerem que pequenas sequências de RNA não codificantes denominadas microRNAs (miRNAs) podem estar fortemente relacionadas com resposta ao tratamento fármaco-terapêutico, controlando as proteínas envolvidas na farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica. Entretanto, os principais miRNAs que atuam na dinâmica da resposta medicamentosa ainda não foram bem definidos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil de miRNAs no sangue total periférico, procurando melhor esclarecer os mecanismos envolvidos na resposta aos antiagregantes plaquetários AAS e clopidogrel. Para isso, selecionou-se pacientes com DAC, os quais apresentavam diferentes respostas à dupla terapia de antiagregação determinadas pelo teste de agregação plaquetária. Baseados nos fenótipos, os perfis de expressão de miRNAs foram comparados entre os valores da taxa de agregação categorizados em tercis (T) de resposta. O grupo T1 foi constituído de pacientes respondedores, o T2 de respondedores intermediários e o T3 de não respondedores. Os perfis de miRNAs foram obtidos após sequenciamento de última geração e os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo pacote Deseq2. Os resultados mostraram 18 miRNAs diferentemente expressos entre os dois tercis extremos. Dentre esses miRNAs, 10 deles apresentaram importantes alvos relacionados com vias de ativação e agregação plaquetária quando analisados pelo software Ingenuity®. Dos 10 miRNAs, 4 deles, os quais apresentaram-se menos expressos no sequenciamento, demonstraram os mesmos perfis de expressão quando analisados pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase quantitativa (qPCR): hsa-miR-423-3p, hsa-miR-744-5p, hsa-miR- 30a-5p e hsa-let-7g-5p. A partir das análises de predição de alvos, pôde-se observar que os quatro miRNAs, quando menos expressos simultaneamente, predizem ativação da agregação plaquetária. Além disso, os miRNAs hsa-miR- 423-5p, hsa-miR-744-5p e hsa-let-7g-5p mostraram correlação com o perfil lipídico dos pacientes que, por sua vez, apresentou influência nos valores de agregação compreendidos no T3 de resposta a ambos os medicamentos. Sendo assim, conclui-se que maiores taxas de agregação plaquetária podem estar indiretamente relacionadas com os padrões de expressão de hsa-miR- 423-3p, hsa-miR-744-5p e hsa-let-7g-5p. Sugere-se que a avaliação do perfil de expressão destes 3 miRNAs no sangue periférico de pacientes com DAC possa predizer resposta terapêutica inadequada ao AAS e ao clopidogrel / The antiplatelet therapy is often indicated for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has often been adopted in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but it has been ineffective in a significant portion of the population with genotype of responders. This fact leads us to question whether other molecular mechanisms may be influencing the response to these drugs. Recent studies suggest that small non-coding RNA sequences known as microRNAs (miRNAs) may be closely related to response to drug-therapeutic treatment, controlling proteins involved in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of miRNAs in whole blood, looking to better clarify mechanisms involved in ASA and clopidogrel response. For this purpose, we selected CAD patients who showed different responses to dual antiplatelet therapy determined by aggregation test. Based on the phenotypes, the miRNA expression profiles were compared between the platelet aggregation values categorized into tertiles (T) of response. The T1 group consisted of responding patients, the T2 consisted of intermediate responders and the T3 consisted of non-responders. The miRNA profiles were obtained after next-generation sequencing and data were analyzed by Deseq2 package. Results showed that 18 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the two extreme tertiles. By Ingenuity® software prediction analysis, 10 miRNAs showed important targets related with activation and aggregation of blood platelets. Of the 10 miRNAs, 4 of them, which were down-expressed on sequencing, showed the same fold-regulation when expression profiles were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR): hsa-miR-423-3p, hsa-miR-744-5p, hsa-miR-30a-5p and has-hsa- let-7g-5p. By target prediction analysis, it was observed that, when the four miRNAs are simultaneously down-expressed, they predict activation of platelet aggregation. Furthermore, hsa-miR-423-5p, hsa-miR-744-5p, and hsa-let-7g-5p showed correlation with the lipid profile of patients which, in turn, demonstrated influence in aggregation values reaching T3 of response to both drugs. Therefore, we concluded that increased platelet aggregation rates may be indirectly related to the expression profiles of hsa-miR-423-3p, hsa-miR-744-5p and hsa-let-7g-5p. It is suggested that the evaluation of the expression profile of these three miRNAs in the peripheral blood of patients with CAD may predict inadequate therapeutic response to aspirin and clopidogrel.

Les traitements antiplaquettaires représentent la pierre angulaire du traitement des patients admis pour syndrome coronaire aigu et/ou bénéficiant d’une angioplastie coronaire. L’association d’une bithérapie antiplaquettaire par aspirine et clopidogrel représente aujourd’hui le gold standard dans la prise en charge de ces patients. Malgré l’efficacité de ces molécules, les récidives d’événements ischémiques restent fréquentes, de l’ordre de 10% dans l’année suivant l’épisode clinique, et le concept de mauvaise réponse biologique au clopidogrel a été proposé comme une des hypothèses à ces récidives. En effet, de nombreuses études biologiques ont fait état d’une large variabilité interindividuelle de réponse biologique au clopidogrel, avec environ 20 à 30% des patients présentant un niveau d’inhibition plaquettaire sous traitement insuffisant. Dans ces travaux, cette réponse biologique a été évaluée par différents tests plaquettaires, les plus utilisés étant les tests de laboratoires (test d’agrégation et test VASP) et le test ‘minute’ Verify Now. Les mécanismes expliquant cette variabilité de réponse restent imparfaitement connus, mais des facteurs ont pu être clairement identifiés : polymorphismes génétiques, interactions médicamenteuses et facteurs cliniques comme le poids ou le diabète. Plus récemment, cette entité biologique a pu être reliée au pronostic clinique de nos patients avec un pronostic ischémique péjoratif chez les patients identifiés biologiquement comme mauvais répondeurs, et à l’inverse, un risque de complications hémorragiques accru chez les patients présentant la plus forte inhibition plaquettaire sous traitement. Devant ces constations, des solutions ont été proposées pour lutter contre cette mauvaise réponse comme une augmentation des doses de clopidogrel ou l’utilisation d’inhibiteurs de la glycoprotéine IIbIIIa. Ces stratégies ont apportés des résultats encourageants dans des études monocentriques, d’assez faibles effectifs. Toutefois, l’individualisation du traitement antiplaquettaire sur la base de ces tests n’est pas d’actualité, et devra attendre les résultats de larges essais multicentriques, actuellement en cours. Dans ce cadre, l’arrivée de nouveaux inhibiteurs de la voie de l’ADP, comme le prasugrel et le ticagrelor, pourront représenter des alternatives intéressantes chez ces patients à haut risque de récidive ischémique. / Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone therapy for patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome and/or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is now the gold standard therapy for these patients. In spite of this effective association, recurrent events still occur and low response to clopidogrel has been proposed as one of the responsible factors. Indeed, numerous biological studies have described a broad interindividual variability of platelet response to clopidogrel, assessed with various platelet function tests such as light transmittance aggregometry, VASP phosphorylation index and the bed-side Verify Now assay. Mechanisms underlying this variability of response remain unclear and probably multifactorial, but factors have been clearly identified: genetic polymorphisms, medications interactions and clinical factors (diabetes, weight…). More recently, the clinical impact of this biological entity has been described with worse clinical outcome in patients non responder to clopidogrel, presenting a higher rate of recurrent ischemic events, including stent thrombosis. Meanwhile, a higher rate of bleeding complications have been found in patients with the highest on-treatment platelet inhibition, suggesting a ‘soft’ therapeutic window to avoid both types of recurrent events. Thus, several strategies have been proposed to overcome this poor response to the drug such as higher clopidogrel doses or additional GPIIbIIIa inhibitors in non responders. However, benefit of tailored therapy has been yet established in properly sized, prospective, randomized trial, which are currently ongoing. New comers in the class of P2Y12 inhibitors, prasugrel and ticagrelor, might represent a good alternative for these high-risk patients.