AIMS: Although human natural beta-interferon (beta-IFN) is currently used in the treatment of a number diseases, there have been no published studies of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of beta-IFN in patients with end-stage renal failure. MATERIALS: Five maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C (4 men and 1 woman) were enrolled in this study. METHODS: For the pharmacokinetic study, blood samples were obtained from a forearm vein at intervals, before infusion and 0, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes after a 15-minute intravenous infusion of human natural beta-IFN (Feron, Toray Industries, Inc., Tokyo) at a dose of 600 MIU. RESULTS: Intravenous beta-IFN was administrated safely to all five patients. The plasma half-life of beta-IFN was found to be 6.91 +/- 2.80 (mean +/- SD) minutes. The initial volume of distribution was found to be 0.49 +/- 0.02 l/kg. CONCLUSION: A 15-minute intravenous infusion of human natural beta-IFN was safely administered to the hemodialysis patients. This pharmacokinetic study showed that it is not necessary to reduce the dosage in patients with end-stage renal failure.
AIMS: Although human natural beta-interferon (beta-IFN) is currently used in the treatment of a number diseases, there have been no published studies of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of beta-IFN in patients with end-stage renal failure. MATERIALS: Five maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C (4 men and 1 woman) were enrolled in this study. METHODS: For the pharmacokinetic study, blood samples were obtained from a forearm vein at intervals, before infusion and 0, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes after a 15-minute intravenous infusion of human natural beta-IFN (Feron, Toray Industries, Inc., Tokyo) at a dose of 600 MIU. RESULTS: Intravenous beta-IFN was administrated safely to all five patients. The plasma half-life of beta-IFN was found to be 6.91 +/- 2.80 (mean +/- SD) minutes. The initial volume of distribution was found to be 0.49 +/- 0.02 l/kg. CONCLUSION: A 15-minute intravenous infusion of human natural beta-IFN was safely administered to the hemodialysis patients. This pharmacokinetic study showed that it is not necessary to reduce the dosage in patients with end-stage renal failure.
Authors: D Festi; L Sandri; G Mazzella; E Roda; T Sacco; T Staniscia; S Capodicasa; A Vestito; A Colecchia Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 5.742