WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Efavirenz is metabolized by highly polymorphic enzymes, CYP2B6 and CYP3A. The effect of the different variant alleles on efavirenz population pharmacokinetics has not yet been fully explored.• CYP2B6*6 influences efavirenz steady-state pharmacokinetics. Together with sex it explains 11% of the between-subject variability in apparent oral clearance, but predictions could potentially be improved if additional alleles causing reduced drug metabolism were identified.• ABCB1 (3435C→T) may have effect on efavirenz single-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• A new polymorphism in ABCB1 gene (rs3842) and CYP2B6*11 in addition to sex and CYP2B6*6 genotype predict efavirenz single-dose pharmacokinetics.• A combined population pharmacogenetic/pharmacokinetic modelling approach allows determination and simulation of determinant factors for efavirenz single-dose pharmacokinetics based on data on gender, biochemical variables and genetic factors in relevant genes (a total of 30 SNPs in CYP2B6, ABCB1 and CYP3A4 genes) in Ugandan population. AIMSEfavirenz exhibits pharmacokinetic variability causing varied clinical response. The aim was to develop an integrated population pharmacokinetic/pharmacogenetic model and investigate the impact of genetic variations, sex, demographic and biochemical variables on single-dose efavirenz pharmacokinetics among Ugandan subjects, using NONMEM. METHODSEfavirenz plasma concentrations (n = 402) from 121 healthy subjects were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Subjects were genotyped for 30 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which six were novel SNPs in CYP2B6, CYP3A5 and ABCB1. The efavirenz pharmacokinetics was described by a two-compartment model with zero-followed by first-order absorption. RESULTSApparent oral clearance (95% confidence interval) was 4 l h l -1 (3.5, 4.5) in extensive metabolizers. In the final model, incorporating multiple covariates, statistical significance was found only for CYP2B6*6 and CYP2B6*11 on apparent oral clearance as well as ABCB1 (rs3842) on the relative bioavailability. Subjects homozygous for CYP2B6*6 (G516T, A785G) and *11 displayed 21 and 20% lower apparent oral clearance, respectively. Efavirenz relative bioavailability was 26% higher in subjects homozygous for ABCB1 (rs3842). The apparent peripheral volume of distribution was twofold higher in women compared with men. CONCLUSIONSThe model identified the four factors CYP2B6*6, CYP2B6*11, a novel variant allele in ABCB1 (rs3842) and sex as major predictors of efavirenz plasma exposure in a healthy Ugandan population after single-dose administration. Use of mixed-effects modelling allowed the analysis and integration of multiple pharmacogenetic and demographic covariates in a pharmacokinetic population model.

Copper(II) complexes with reduced Schiff base ligands of amino acids possessing nonpolar side chains with salicylaldehyde have been synthesized. Ternary complexes with imidazole, 1,10-phenanthroline, and pyridine have been prepared and characterized for N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-D,L-alanine. The crystal structures of [(N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-D,L-alanine)(1,10-phenanthroline)Cu(II)] monohydrate ([Cu(SAla)phen].H(2)O) and [(N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-D,L-alanine)(imidazole)Cu(II)] ([Cu(SAla)Him]), have been determined. [Cu(SAla)phen].H(2)O crystallized in space group P&onemacr;, with a = 8.718(2) Å, b = 10.886(3) Å, c = 11.693(2) Å, alpha = 71.32(2) degrees, beta = 85.27(2) degrees, gamma = 70.21(2) degrees, and Z = 2. The copper atom is five coordinate, with SAla acting as a tridentate ONO chelator through the carboxylato and phenolato oxygens and the amine nitrogen. The remaining donors are provided by the phen nitrogens. [Cu(SAla)Him] crystallized in space group P2(1)/n, with a = 10.353(1) Å, b = 6.714(1) Å, c = 18.769(2) Å, beta = 91.71(1) degrees, and Z = 4. The copper atom is four coordinate, with SAla acting as a tridentate ONO chelator with the neutral imidazole moiety coordinated through nitrogen. In both complexes the ligand has two chiral centers due to the coordination of the N. Molecular mechanics calculations show that unfavorable steric interactions would occur in the nonobserved R,R and S,S diastereomers. Compounds prepared have been characterized by a range of physicochemical techniques. The complexes may serve as stable models for the intermediates in enzymatic amino acid transformations.

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