Effect of Gemfibrozil on the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Red Yeast Rice in Healthy Subjects

NCT ID: NCT01385020

Last Updated: 2011-10-17

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE4
• Total Enrollment: 12 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2011-07-31
• Study Completion Date: 2011-07-31

Brief Summary

Red yeast rice capsule (LipoCol Forte)is a nature product that has been demonstrated a significant cholesterol lowering effect which might be caused by addictive and/or synergistic effects of lovastatin (monacolin K) with other monacolins and substances in capsules. The usual dose of red yeast rice capsule(LipoCol Forte)for hypercholesterolemia is one capsule twice/day.

Gemfibrozil is a fibric acid derivative (fibrate). It can reduce the levels of triglycerides and increase the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Patients with mixed lipid disorders may therefore benefit from a combination of a statin and a fibrate. Although the combination of a fibrate and a statin is highly effective,concerns about an increased incidence of myopathy and even rhabdomyolysis have limited the widespread use of such combinations. Such combination therapies are prone to drug-drug interactions, which can lead to altered pharmacokinetic profiles of either drug, an effect observed for many statins in combination with fibrates. However, the drug-drug interactions have not been reported between red yeast rice capsule and gemfibrozil.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of gemfibrozil on the plasma concentrations of lovastatin and its active form, lovastatin acid, from red yeast rice capsule in healthy volunteers. In addition, the investigators also measure the plasma concentration of creatine kinase (CK) and co-enzyme Q10 for safety assessment.

Detailed Description

A randomized,crossover study design with 2 periods was used. The washout time between the periods was 4 days. In first period, 600 mg red yeast rice capsule (LipoCol) was administered orally with 240 mL water at 8 AM. In second period, subjects took 600 mg gemfibrozil (two Lopid 300-mg capsule) at 7 AM and 7 PM for 2 days. On day 3, subjects took 600 mg gemfibrozil at 7 AM then 600 mg red yeast rice capsule was administered orally with 240 mL water at 8 AM. The volunteers had fasted overnight, a breakfast and dinner was severed 0.5 hour after the administration of gemfibrozil. In addition, a high fat breakfast was served 0.5 hour before and standard meal was served 4 and 10 hours after the administration of red yeast rice (LipoCol).

The blood samples will be drawn prior to the dosing, and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 hours after the administration of red yeast rice(LipoCol)for detecting the plasma concentration of lovastatin and lovastatin acid. In addition, the blood samples will be drawn prior to the dosing, and 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 hours after the administration of red yeast rice (LipoCol) for detecting the plasma concentration of creatine kinase (CK) and co-enzyme Q10.

Conditions

Healthy Subjects

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Gemfibrozil & red yeast rice (LipoCol)

The effect of gemfibrozil on the pharmacokinetics of red yeast rice capsule (LipoCol) after administering single-dose combination in healthy subjects

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Gemfibrozil & red yeast rice (LipoCol)

Intervention Type: DRUG

The effect of gemfibrozil on the pharmacokinetics of red yeast rice capsule (LipoCol) after administering single-dose combination in healthy subjects.

Interventions

Gemfibrozil & red yeast rice (LipoCol)

The effect of gemfibrozil on the pharmacokinetics of red yeast rice capsule (LipoCol) after administering single-dose combination in healthy subjects.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Subjects must be at the age of 20-40 years old and be able to sign informed consent prior to study.

2. Body weight must be above 45 kilograms (kg) and within -20 to +20% of ideal body weight.

3. No clinically significant abnormalities were judged by the principal investigator based on the medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, and routine laboratory evaluations.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Use of any prescription medication, over-the-counter medications or vitamins within 14 days prior to dosing.

2. Participation in any clinical investigation within 2 months prior to dosing or longer as required by local regulation.

3. Donation or loss of more than 500 milliliter (mL) blood within 3 months prior to dosing.

4. Presence of liver disease (Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT), Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) or Total-bilirubin greater than 2-fold normal values) or renal disease (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine greater than 1.5-fold normal values).

5. Creatine kinase (CK) value greater than 1.5-fold normal value.

6. A known hypersensitivity to statins and fibrates or their analogs.

7. Permanent confinement to an institution.

8. Individuals are judged by the investigator or co-investigator to be undesirable as subjects for other reasons.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role: collaborator

National Taiwan University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Jyh-Chin Yang, M.D. Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

National Taiwan University Hospital

Locations

National Taiwan University Hospital

Taipei, , Taiwan

Countries

Taiwan

Other Identifiers

201105057MC

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id