Next Article in Journal
Relation between Attachment and Obesity in Preschool Years: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Next Article in Special Issue
Priming with Retinoic Acid, an Active Metabolite of Vitamin A, Increases Vitamin A Uptake in the Small Intestine of Neonatal Rats
Previous Article in Journal
Changes in Life Situations during the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Pandemic and Their Impact on Eating Behaviors for Residents of Europe, Australia as Well as North and South America
Previous Article in Special Issue
Metabolic Effects of Vitamin B1 Therapy under Overnutrition and Undernutrition Conditions in Sheep
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Nutrients
Volume 13
Issue 10
10.3390/nu13103571
nutrients-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Vitamin D as Modulator of Drug Concentrations: A Study on Two Italian Cohorts of People Living with HIV Administered with Efavirenz

by
Jessica Cusato
1,*,
Massimo Tempestilli
2,
Andrea Calcagno
3,
Alessandra Vergori
2,
Pierluca Piselli
2,
Miriam Antonucci
1,
Valeria Avataneo
1,
Alice Palermiti
1,
Stefania Notari
2,
Andrea Antinori
2,
Giovanni Di Perri
3,
Chiara Agrati
2 and
Antonio D’Avolio
1
1
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
2
National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
3
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3571; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103571
Submission received: 6 September 2021 / Revised: 1 October 2021 / Accepted: 9 October 2021 / Published: 12 October 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamins: Physiological, Pathophysiological and Pharmacological Aspects)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
To date, vitamin D seems to have a significant role in affecting the prevention and immunomodulation in COVID-19 disease. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that this pro-hormone has other several activities, such as affecting drug concentrations, since it regulates the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes. Efavirenz (EFV) pharmacokinetics is influenced by CYPs, but no data are available in the literature concerning the association among vitamin D levels, seasonality (which affects vitamin D concentrations) and EFV plasma levels. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D3) levels on EFV plasma concentrations in different seasons. We quantified 25(OH)D3 by using chemiluminescence immunoassay, whereas EFV plasma concentrations were quantified with the HPLC–PDA method. A total of 316 patients were enrolled in Turin and Rome. Overall, 25(OH)D3levels resulted in being inversely correlated with EFV concentrations. Some patients with EFV levels higher than 4000 ng/mL showed a deficient 25(OH)D3 concentration in Turin and Rome cohorts and together. EFV concentrations were different in patients without vitamin D supplementation, whereas, for vitamin D-administered individuals, no difference in EFV exposure was present. Concerning seasonality, EFV concentrations were associated with 25(OH)D3 deficiency only in winter and in spring, whereas a significant influence was highlighted for 25(OH)D3 stratification for deficient, insufficient and sufficient values in winter, spring and summer. A strong and inverse association between 25(OH)D3and EFV plasma concentrations was suggested. These data suggest that vitamin D is able to affect drug exposure in different seasons; thus, the achievement of the clinical outcome could be improved by also considering this pro-hormone.

1. Introduction

Vitamin D is recognized as a prohormone. Vitamin D is classified as a nutrient, and it is also synthesized by the human body through the action of sunlight. These dual sources of vitamin D make it challenging to develop dietary reference intake values [1].
Worldwide, vitamin D deficiency represents a public health problem in all age groups; however, studies are still lacking in most countries, particularly on risk groups. Data recorded by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) show that 79% of the elderly adult population has vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency [2,3]. This phenomenon seems to be frequent in Italy among elderly adults and, particularly, during winter months [4,5]. Different pathologies have been associated with vitamin D deficiency, including COVID-19 [6].
Ultraviolet light is responsible for vitamin D synthesis in skin; cholecalciferol is hydroxylated to calcifediol (25-hydroxy vitamin D, 25(OH)D3) in the liver through cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 27A1 and CYP2R1 and, in the kidney, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, 1,25(OH)D3) is synthesized through CYP27B1. Then 1,25-VD is transported in the bloodstream through the vitamin-D-binding protein (VDBP).
In HIV-positive patients, reduced vitamin D concentrations were often found at various levels of severity and have been linked to low bone-mineral density and related disorders, subclinical vascular disease, kidney function decline, endocrine disorders, liver fibrosis, preterm delivery and neurocognitive impairment [7,8,9,10,11,12].
Vitamin D modulates the expression of many genes through its receptor (vitamin D receptor, VDR); particularly, it has an impact on the expression of gene-encoding transporters and enzymes responsible for drug transport and metabolism, such as CYPs [13].
Drocourt et al. showed that vitamin D induces CYP3A4 and, to a lesser extent, CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 genes expression in human hepatocytes [14].
Several drugs are metabolized by CYP3A4; its gene shows vitamin D responsive elements (VDRE), and its expression is upregulated in the presence of 1,25(OH)D3. Consequently, vitamin D may alter CYP3A4-metabolized drugs’ concentrations, as shown for immunosuppressants: Lindh et al. suggested tacrolimus and sirolimus seasonal variability according to changes in vitamin D levels (which depends on sunlight exposure); they observed lower drug concentration in July to September than in January to March [15]. In addition, vitamin D is able to affect CYP2B6 gene expression; consequently, this enzyme metabolized drugs, for example, Efavirenz (EFV).
Vitamin D may interact with several drugs, potentially altering drug toxicity or efficacy, but also drugs may affect vitamin D metabolism and status [16]. In fact, the 25-hydroxylase CYP3A4, which is a phase 1 biotransformation enzyme for several drugs, as suggested before, is able to convert precursors to 25(OH)D3.
Moreover, antiretroviral drugs are pregnane X receptor (PXR) ligands; thus, they are able to activate it and the related pathway [16]. PXR is important when considering xenobiotics and drugs detoxifications; it is able to bind to VDRE, affecting the expression of genes normally regulated by vitamin D. In fact, 24-hydroxylases and other CYPs resulted in being upregulated in the presence of PXR.
Studies reported that in vitro HIV protease inhibitors, particularly ritonavir, inhibit the conversion of 25(OH)D3 to 1,25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)D3 degradation [17].
EFV pharmacokinetic exposure shows high inter-patient variability, and it is related to toxicity in terms of neurological problems: Burger et al. analyzed 255 individuals, suggesting 48 (18.9%) patients had EFV toxic concentrations [18]. Furthermore, they highlighted gender and race as important factors determining inter-patient EFV plasma-level variability. In conclusion, they recommended physicians to pay particular attention to females and non-caucasian ethnicity patients, since they are more predisposed to EFV-induced toxicity. Consequently, it could be useful to evaluate which factors are able to affect EFV exposure, particularly considering that vitamin D seems to influence the expression of CYPs involved in this drug metabolism.
Not many data are available in the literature concerning the association between EFV and 25(OH)D3 levels in Italian patients. Moreover, in clinical practice, vitamin D’s use as supplements to prevent and treat a wide range of clinical conditions has increased substantially over the last decade in people living with HIV (PLWH), even in different geographical latitudes.
For these reasons, the aim of this study was to analyze EFV and vitamin D relationship in two cohorts, from Turin (North of Italy) and from Rome (Center of Italy), consisting of HIV-positive patients seen for care, in order to evaluate vitamin D’s effect on EFV exposure in different seasons. An association between 25(OH)D3 and EFV plasma concentrations was suggested.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Design

A retrospective cohort study was performed in PLWH treated at Amedeo di Savoia (Turin, Italy) and National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS (Rome, Italy) between January 2015 and January 2018.
Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, good general condition (without other diseases), on EFV-containing therapy for >7 days, absence of any interacting drugs (such as rifampicin, methadone or erythromycin), no co-infection, drug intake 12 (±3) h before blood withdrawal and reported medication adherence above 90% (Ethic Committee approvals: COVID study 53/2018 for Rome and CS2/325 del 8/8/2017 for Turin).
For each patient, the following data were recorded: demographics (e.g., sex and age); HIV stage (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) estimation of adherence according to the proportion of visits “on time” (proportion of visits respecting the deadline given by appointment compared with the total visits); start of first-line therapy; symptoms; diseases and/or concomitant medications at the time of the visit; antiretroviral therapy in progress; time and date of the last administration of antiretroviral drugs.

2.2. Efavirenz Plasma Concentrations

Sampling was performed the day after the evening dose of EFV (12 ± 3 h). Plasma samples were obtained from a lithium–heparin tube (7 mL) and were stored in cryovials at −20 °C before analysis.
EFV concentrations at 12 h after intake (C12) were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system coupled with a photodiode array (PDA), using solid-phase extraction for frozen plasma samples, according to a previously described and fully validated method [19]. Patients with undetectable concentrations were considered non-adherent and were excluded from the analyses. All patients with EFV exposure higher than the lower limit of quantification were considered eligible for the analysis. EFV C12 therapeutic range is within 1000–4000 ng/mL [20].

2.3. Quantification of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D

Contextually to EFV quantification, total serum 25(OH)D3 was quantified by using a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA; DiaSorin LIAISON® 25 OH Vitamin D TOTAL Assay. This method does not allow for us to differentiate between D2 and D3 forms.
Serum Vitamin D levels were classified, according to manufacture reference values, on (i) deficiency (≤10 ng/mL), (ii) insufficiency (11 to 30 ng/mL) and (iii) sufficiency (>30 ng/mL) [21].

2.4. Statistical Analysis

All of the continuous variables were tested for normality with the Shapiro–Wilk test. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was performed in order to evaluate the distribution, comparing a sample with a reference probability distribution. Non-normally distributed variables were described as median and interquartile range. The correlation between continuous variables was performed by parametric and non-parametric tests (Pearson and Spearman). Non-normal variables were resumed as median values and interquartile range (IQR), whereas categorical variables were resumed as numbers with percentages. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney analyses were considered for differences in continuous variables between different groups (such as vitamin D levels stratification and seasons), considering a statistical significance with a two-sided p-value < 0.05. Chi-squared test was used to evaluate differences between categorical variables (such as vitamin D stratification values and EFV-associated cutoff values).
All of the tests were performed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows v.26.0 (IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA).

3. Results

3.1. Patients Characteristics

Characteristics of the 316 analyzed patients are reported in Table 1: 227 patients were enrolled in Turin, whereas 89 individuals were enrolled in Rome.

3.2. Vitamin D Distribution

The 25(OH)D3 levels distribution (≤10, 11–30 and >30 ng/mL) was reported in Table 1; viral loads for the Rome center were not available, since these data were difficult to obtain after years. Overall, the 25(OH)D3 concentrations were not significantly different in the two cohorts (p = 0.657), and in both cohorts, a similar frequency of patients presenting 25(OH)D3 level below 30 ng/mL (deficiency 12.4% vs. 10.1%; insufficiency 68.5% vs. 63.0%) was observed. Furthermore, an increased number of patients had 25(OH)D3 concentrations higher than 30 ng/mL (26.9% vs. 19.1%) in the Turin cohort, but without being statistically significance.

3.3. Efavirenz Distribution According to Vitamin D Levels

Of note, 25(OH)D3 levels resulted in being inversely correlated with EFV concentrations (r2 = 0.016; p = 0.020, Supplementary Material Figure S1).
When comparing HIV patients with different 25(OH)D3 levels, we found that significant differences in EFV concentration (deficiency vs. insufficiency, p = 0.001; deficiency vs. sufficiency, p < 0.001; insufficiency vs. sufficiency, p = 0.008; Figure 1) were suggested. In particular, higher drug concentrations in patients with 25(OH)D3 deficiency were highlighted.
A possible association between 25(OH)D3 levels and EFV-associated toxicity by defining a 4000 ng/mL cutoff for EFV concentration was considered [20]: a significant higher proportion of patients with EFV levels higher than 4000 ng/mL showed a deficiency in 25(OH)D3 concentration in Turin (p = 0.017) and Rome (p < 0.001) cohorts and together (p < 0.001) (see Table 2).
Patients were supplemented with vitamin D only in the Turin cohort. In Table 3, patients were divided in supplemented or not, and then, for both groups, 25(OH)D3 stratification for deficient, insufficient and sufficient values was considered. EFV concentrations were statistically different (p = 0.042) in patients without vitamin D supplementation, whereas, for vitamin D-administered individuals, no deficient patients were present; in addition, they did not show a statistical significant difference (p = 0.622).

3.4. Seasonality

Concerning seasonality, EFV concentrations were associated with vitamin D deficiency (≤10 ng/mL) only in winter (p = 0.001, deficient patients = 11/88) and in spring (p = 0.017, deficient patients = 12/82), but not in summer (p = 0.149, deficient patients = 1/66) and autumn (p = 0.494, deficient patients = 10/80).
A statistical significance was highlighted for 25(OH)D3 stratification in winter (p = 0.002), spring (p = 0.039) and summer (p = 0.011), but not for autumn (p = 0.391).

4. Discussion

Several studies have shown that vitamin D is able to affect drug concentrations [22,23,24,25] and clinic features [26,27,28,29]. In this context, recently, our group’s work (accepted for publication) focused on the seasonality of other antiretroviral drugs, showing a trend in concentrations during the year, especially for etravirine, maraviroc and lopinavir [30].
In this study, 316 PLWH treated with EFV were included. EFV and 25(OH)D3 concentrations were investigated: most of patients had 25(OH)D3 deficiency or insufficiency, as shown in Table 1. This seems to agree with percentages evidenced by Cervero et al., who analyzed a cohort of 352 HIV-infected individuals: deficiency was present in 44%, whereas insufficiency was present in 71.6% [31]. These data are related to patients living in Spain, which has a similar latitude to Italy.
Furthermore, in this study, an inverse correlation between 25(OH)D3 levels and EFV exposure was demonstrated according to what shown by Lindh et al.; in fact, tacrolimus and sirolimus immunosuppressant agents’ concentrations decreased with an increased vitamin D level. This could be due to vitamin D ’s inductive effect on genes encoding for protein involved in these drugs’ metabolism and excretion (CYP3A5, CYP2B6 and ABCB1 genes encoding for CYP3A5, CYP2B6 enzymes and for P-glycoprotein transporter) [13,15]. In addition, as shown for tacrolimus and sirolimus, as well as for EFV, seasonality could have an impact in terms of EFV plasma variation.
A possible interaction between 25(OH)D3 and antiretrovirals has been evidenced for other anti-HIV drugs; for example, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is an anti-HIV drug which causes bone, endocrine and renal changes, but mechanisms are not well described [32]. In a cohort of 118 patients taking TDF, the authors suggested that the highest quintile of TDF plasma concentrations was associated with increased VDBP, 25(OH)D3 and calcium, but lower 1,25(OH)D3. Furthermore, higher plasma TDF exposure was related to increased VDBP and lower 1,25(OH)D3, suggesting a functional vitamin D deficiency explaining TDF-associated higher parathyroid hormone levels [33].
In the Turin cohort, most of patients showed 25(OH)D3 concentrations higher than 30 ng/mL and, generally, increased 25(OH)D3 levels: this could be in contrast with the considered latitude, since Rome is much closer to the equator (latitude about 41°) compared to Turin (latitude about 45°).
However, due to personal sun-exposure behaviors, professional and outdoor activities, the personal ultraviolet (UV) exposure may be low to negligible if an individual does not engage in outdoor activities. Similarly, an individual may live at a higher latitude, with lower ambient UV levels and with a greater outdoor activity, resulting in a higher personal UV exposure [34].
Moreover, these high levels in the Turin cohort could be explained by the fact that patients are supplemented only in Turin and not in Rome.
Furthermore, considering the EFV cutoff value associated with side effects, a small number of patients had 25(OH)D3 deficiency in EFV concentrations <4000 ng/mL patients compared to the higher percentage in ≥4000 ng/mL ones, confirming vitamin D’s protective role in terms of toxicity, as shown for other kind of pathologies [35,36].
The relationship between vitamin D and EFV exposure could be explained by EFV metabolism by CYP2B6 and vitamin D (particularly 1,25(OH)D3, the active metabolite) that induces the expression of several genes, such as CYP3A4 and, to a lesser extent, CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 ones, in normal differentiated primary human hepatocytes.
This is the first study reporting vitamin D influence on EFV concentrations in two Italian cohorts of HIV-affected patients; particularly, 25(OH)D3 deficiency (≤10 ng/mL) was associated with higher EFV exposure, with a potential risk of adverse effects. Considering EFV neurotoxicity, even at subclinical levels, this may be relevant: it should be highlighted that, in countries with limited resource, EFV is still widely used.
Hypovitaminosis D is present in several clinical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer or HIV infection, in which prevalence varies from 14% to 52% depending on gender, lifestyle, season, ethnicity, geographic position and type of antiretrovirals [37,38]. Furthermore, a recent analysis showed that vitamin D -deficient HIV-infected patients have an increased risk of having neurocognitive impairment, particularly HIV-associated neurocognitive deficit (HAND), which is associated with EFV therapy, also in asymptomatic patients [39,40,41]. Consequently, for these reasons, it could be very important to conduct vitamin D and drug concentration evaluation during therapy in order to avoid vitamin D and EFV (and other drugs) levels predisposing therapy-associated side effects, such as neurocognitive disorders.
This is the first study in this field, but it has some limitations, such as a lack of data on 1,25(OH)D3 and seasonality, but also on EFV toxicity. It would also be useful to take into consideration other drugs metabolized or transported by enzymes and transporters for which genes’ expressions are affected by vitamin D.

5. Conclusions

In conclusion, this manuscript suggests the association between vitamin D levels and EFV exposure in two different cohorts of Italian (Rome and Turin) HIV-affected patients, considering their different latitudes. This study highlights the possible role of vitamin D in predicting EFV levels, despite its reduced use, but it could be useful in order to clarify the involvement of this pro-hormone in affecting other drug concentrations.
Finally, other studies are mandatory in order to better define the role of vitamin D metabolic effects on drugs and their toxicity and to evaluate the possible clinical impact of these findings.

Supplementary Materials

The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/nu13103571/s1, Figure S1: Scatter plot of Efavirenz exposure and vitamin D levels with its fit line.

Author Contributions

J.C., conceptualization and writing—original draft preparation; M.T., conceptualization and writing—original draft preparation, A.C.; data curation, A.V.; data curation; P.P., software; M.A., formal analyses; V.A., formal analyses; A.P., formal analyses; S.N., writing—review and editing; A.A., visualization; G.D.P., writing—review and editing; C.A., writing—review and editing; A.D., funding acquisition and supervision. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committees: COVID study 53/2018 for Rome and CS2/325 del 8/8/2017 for Turin.

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

Data are available within the text. Patients’ data are available upon request, due to privacy and ethical restrictions.

Acknowledgments

We thank CoQua Lab (www.coqualab.it, accessed on 8 October 2021) for its methodological support and assistance in the preparation and execution of the study and analysis.

Conflicts of Interest

A.C. and G.D.P. reports grants from VIIV and GILEAD, as well as personal fees from VIIV, GILEAD, JANSSEN-CILAG, INSMED and MSD, outside the submitted work. A.V. received institutional grant from Gilead Sciences, personal fees and travel grant from Janssen, personal fee from MSD. A.A. has served as a paid consultant to Gilead Sciences, Janssen-Cilag, Merck and ViiV Healthcare and received research institutional grants from Gilead Sciences, Janssen-Cilag and ViiV Healthcare. The other authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

References

  1. Atkinson, S.A. The new dietary reference intakes from the Institute of Medicine for calcium and vitamin D. Perspect. Infirm. 2011, 8, 5. [Google Scholar]
  2. Reiber, H. External quality assessment in clinical neurochemistry: Survey of analysis for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins based on CSF/serum quotients. Clin. Chem. 1995, 41, 256–263. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  3. National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/about_nhanes.htm (accessed on 8 October 2021).
  4. Maggio, D.; Cherubini, A.; Lauretani, F.; Russo, R.C.; Bartali, B.; Pierandrei, M.; Ruggiero, C.; Macchiarulo, M.C.; Giorgino, R.; Minisola, S.; et al. 25(OH)D Serum levels decline with age earlier in women than in men and less efficiently prevent compensatory hyperparathyroidism in older adults. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 2005, 60, 1414–1419. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Carnevale, V.; Modoni, S.; Pileri, M.; Di Giorgio, A.; Chiodini, I.; Minisola, S.; Vieth, R.; Scillitani, A. Longitudinal evaluation of vitamin D status in healthy subjects from southern Italy: Seasonal and gender differences. Osteoporos. Int. 2001, 12, 1026–1030. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. D’Avolio, A.; Avataneo, V.; Manca, A.; Cusato, J.; De Nicolo, A.; Lucchini, R.; Keller, F.; Cantu, M. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations Are Lower in Patients with Positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Nutrients 2020, 12, 1359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Huff, H.; Merchant, A.T.; Lonn, E.; Pullenayegum, E.; Smaill, F.; Smieja, M. Vitamin D and progression of carotid intima-media thickness in HIV-positive Canadians. HIV Med. 2017, 19, 143–151. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  8. Tin, A.; Zhang, L.; Estrella, M.M.; Hoofnagle, A.; Rebholz, C.M.; Brown, T.T.; Palella, F.J., Jr.; Witt, M.D.; Jacobson, L.P.; Kingsley, L.A.; et al. Vitamin D Status and Kidney Function Decline in HIV-Infected Men: A Longitudinal Study in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. AIDS Res. Hum. Retrovir. 2017, 33, 1140–1148. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Noe, S.; Oldenbuettel, C.; Heldwein, S.; Wiese, C.; von Krosigk, A.; Pascucci, R.; Ruecker, K.; Jaeger, H.; Wolf, E. Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in HIV-Infected Patients in Central Europe. Horm. Metab. Res. 2018, 50, 317–324. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Dadabhai, A.S.; Saberi, B.; Lobner, K.; Shinohara, R.T.; Mullin, G.E. Influence of vitamin D on liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the pooled clinical trials data. World J. Hepatol. 2017, 9, 278–287. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Jao, J.; Freimanis, L.; Mussi-Pinhata, M.M.; Cohen, R.A.; Monteiro, J.P.; Cruz, M.L.; Branch, A.; Sperling, R.S.; Siberry, G.K. Severe Vitamin D Deficiency in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Pregnant Women is Associated with Preterm Birth. Am. J. Perinatol. 2016, 34, 486–492. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  12. Jimenez-Sousa, M.A.; Martinez, I.; Medrano, L.M.; Fernandez-Rodriguez, A.; Resino, S. Vitamin D in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Influence on Immunity and Disease. Front. Immunol. 2018, 9, 458. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Lindh, J.D.; Bjorkhem-Bergman, L.; Eliasson, E. Vitamin D and drug-metabolising enzymes. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 2012, 11, 1797–1801. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Drocourt, L.; Ourlin, J.C.; Pascussi, J.M.; Maurel, P.; Vilarem, M.J. Expression of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 is regulated by the vitamin D receptor pathway in primary human hepatocytes. J. Biol. Chem. 2002, 277, 25125–25132. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  15. Lindh, J.D.; Andersson, M.L.; Eliasson, E.; Bjorkhem-Bergman, L. Seasonal variation in blood drug concentrations and a potential relationship to vitamin D. Drug Metab. Dispos. 2011, 39, 933–937. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  16. Luo, G.; Guenthner, T.; Gan, L.S.; Humphreys, W.G. CYP3A4 induction by xenobiotics: Biochemistry, experimental methods and impact on drug discovery and development. Curr. Drug Metab. 2004, 5, 483–505. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Cozzolino, M.; Vidal, M.; Arcidiacono, M.V.; Tebas, P.; Yarasheski, K.E.; Dusso, A.S. HIV-protease inhibitors impair vitamin D bioactivation to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Aids 2003, 17, 513–520. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Burger, D.; van der Heiden, I.; la Porte, C.; van der Ende, M.; Groeneveld, P.; Richter, C.; Koopmans, P.; Kroon, F.; Sprenger, H.; Lindemans, J.; et al. Interpatient variability in the pharmacokinetics of the HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz: The effect of gender, race, and CYP2B6 polymorphism. Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 2006, 61, 148–154. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. D’Avolio, A.; Baietto, L.; Siccardi, M.; Sciandra, M.; Simiele, M.; Oddone, V.; Bonora, S.; Di Perri, G. An HPLC-PDA method for the simultaneous quantification of the HIV integrase inhibitor raltegravir, the new nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor etravirine, and 11 other antiretroviral agents in the plasma of HIV-infected patients. Ther. Drug Monit. 2008, 30, 662–669. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Marzolini, C.; Telenti, A.; Decosterd, L.A.; Greub, G.; Biollaz, J.; Buclin, T. Efavirenz plasma levels can predict treatment failure and central nervous system side effects in HIV-1-infected patients. Aids 2001, 15, 71–75. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. FDA. Health Based Reference Values LIAISON® Vitamin D Total Assay. Available online: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/reviews/K071480.pdf (accessed on 8 October 2021).
  22. Cusato, J.; Genova, C.; Tomasello, C.; Carrega, P.; Ottonello, S.; Pietra, G.; Mingari, M.C.; Cossu, I.; Rijavec, E.; Leggieri, A.; et al. Influence of Vitamin D in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Nivolumab. Cancers 2019, 11, 125. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  23. Cusato, J.; De Nicolo, A.; Boglione, L.; Favata, F.; Ariaudo, A.; Pinna, S.M.; Carcieri, C.; Guido, F.; Cariti, G.; Di Perri, G.; et al. Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms affecting daclatasvir plasma concentration at 2 weeks and 1 month of therapy. Pharmacogenomics 2018, 19, 701–707. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Cusato, J.; De Nicolo, A.; Boglione, L.; Favata, F.; Ariaudo, A.; Mornese Pinna, S.; Carcieri, C.; Guido, F.; Avataneo, V.; Cariti, G.; et al. Vitamin D pathway genetic variants are able to influence sofosbuvir and its main metabolite pharmacokinetics in HCV mono-infected patients. Infect. Genet. Evol. 2018, 60, 42–47. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Allegra, S.; Cusato, J.; De Francia, S.; Longo, F.; Pirro, E.; Massano, D.; Piga, A.; D’Avolio, A. Effect of pharmacogenetic markers of vitamin D pathway on deferasirox pharmacokinetics in children. Pharmacogenet. Genom. 2017, 28, 17–22. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Cusato, J.; Boglione, L.; De Nicolo, A.; Favata, F.; Ariaudo, A.; Mornese Pinna, S.; Guido, F.; Avataneo, V.; Cantu, M.; Carcieri, C.; et al. Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C-affected patients treated with new drugs. Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 2018, 81, 615–620. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Cusato, J.; Boglione, L.; De Nicolo, A.; Imbornone, R.; Cardellino, C.S.; Ghisetti, V.; Carcieri, C.; Cariti, G.; Di Perri, G.; D’Avolio, A. Association of vitamin D pathway SNPs and clinical response to interferon in a cohort of HBeAg-negative patients. Pharmacogenomics 2017, 18, 651–661. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Cusato, J.; Boglione, L.; De Nicolo, A.; Cardellino, C.S.; Carcieri, C.; Cariti, G.; Di Perri, G.; D’Avolio, A. Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms as predictors of hepatitis C virus-related mixed cryoglobulinemia. Pharmacogenet. Genom. 2016, 26, 307–310. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Cusato, J.; Allegra, S.; Boglione, L.; De Nicolo, A.; Baietto, L.; Cariti, G.; Di Perri, G.; D’Avolio, A. Vitamin D pathway gene variants and HCV-2/3 therapy outcomes. Antivir. Ther. 2014, 20, 335–341. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  30. Cusato, J.; Mula, J.; Palermiti, A.; Manca, A.; Antonucci, M.; Avataneo, V.; De Vivo, E.D.; Ianniello, A.; Calcagno, A.; Di Perri, G.; et al. Seasonal variation of antiretroviral drug exposure during the year: The experience of 10 years of therapeutic drug monitoring. Biomedicines 2021, 9, 1202. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Cervero, M.; Agud, J.L.; Garcia-Lacalle, C.; Alcazar, V.; Torres, R.; Jusdado, J.J.; Moreno Guillen, S. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its related risk factor in a Spanish cohort of adult HIV-infected patients: Effects of antiretroviral therapy. AIDS Res. Hum. Retrovir. 2012, 28, 963–971. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  32. Grigsby, I.F.; Pham, L.; Mansky, L.M.; Gopalakrishnan, R.; Mansky, K.C. Tenofovir-associated bone density loss. Ther. Clin. Risk Manag. 2010, 6, 41–47. [Google Scholar]
  33. Havens, P.L.; Kiser, J.J.; Stephensen, C.B.; Hazra, R.; Flynn, P.M.; Wilson, C.M.; Rutledge, B.; Bethel, J.; Pan, C.G.; Woodhouse, L.R.; et al. Association of higher plasma vitamin D binding protein and lower free calcitriol levels with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate use and plasma and intracellular tenofovir pharmacokinetics: Cause of a functional vitamin D deficiency? Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2013, 57, 5619–5628. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  34. Kimlin, M.G. Geographic location and vitamin D synthesis. Mol. Asp. Med. 2008, 29, 453–461. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Mormile, R. Vitamin D Intake and its Protective Role in Multiple Sclerosis: The Checkmate to Survivin? Iran J. Pharm. Res. 2016, 15, 383–384. [Google Scholar]
  36. Meeker, S.; Seamons, A.; Maggio-Price, L.; Paik, J. Protective links between vitamin D, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. World J. Gastroenterol. 2016, 22, 933–948. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Liu, X.; Baylin, A.; Levy, P.D. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among US adults: Prevalence, predictors and clinical implications. Br. J. Nutr. 2018, 119, 928–936. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  38. Klassen, K.M.; Fairley, C.K.; Kimlin, M.G.; Hocking, J.; Kelsall, L.; Ebeling, P.R. Vitamin D deficiency is common in HIV-infected southern Australian adults. Antivir. Ther. 2015, 21, 117–125. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  39. Ma, Q.; Vaida, F.; Wong, J.; Sanders, C.A.; Kao, Y.T.; Croteau, D.; Clifford, D.B.; Collier, A.C.; Gelman, B.B.; Marra, C.M.; et al. Long-term efavirenz use is associated with worse neurocognitive functioning in HIV-infected patients. J. Neurovirol. 2015, 22, 170–178. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  40. Ciccarelli, N.; Fabbiani, M.; Di Giambenedetto, S.; Fanti, I.; Baldonero, E.; Bracciale, L.; Tamburrini, E.; Cauda, R.; De Luca, A.; Silveri, M.C. Efavirenz associated with cognitive disorders in otherwise asymptomatic HIV-infected patients. Neurology 2011, 76, 1403–1409. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Vergori, A.; Pinnetti, C.; Lorenzini, P.; Brita, A.; Libertone, R.; Mastrorosa, I.; Cicalini, S.; Antinori, A.; Ammassari, A. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with neurocognitive impairment in HIV-infected subjects. Infection 2019, 47, 929–935. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Nutrients 13 03571 g001 550
Figure 1. Efavirenz exposure according to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) level stratification (deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency). Circles and stars indicate “out” values (small circle) and “far out” values (star).
Figure 1. Efavirenz exposure according to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) level stratification (deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency). Circles and stars indicate “out” values (small circle) and “far out” values (star).
Nutrients 13 03571 g001
Table
Table 1. Patients’ characteristics. “/” indicates no available data.
Table 1. Patients’ characteristics. “/” indicates no available data.
CharacteristicsTurin CohortRome CohortTotalp-Value
n° patients22789316
Age (year), median (IQR)46 (39–51)45 (37.5–53)44 (37.5–49)0.867
Caucasian ethnicity, n (%)184 (81.1)72 (80.9)256 (81)0.003
Male sex, n (%)177 (78)85 (95.5)262 (82.9)<0.001
Viral load (copies/mL), median (IQR)75.5 (28.8–34.8)/75.5 (28.8–34.8)/
CD4 (cells/mL), median (IQR)717 (553.3–870.0)546 (408.5–685.5)584 (450–746)<0.001
Vitamin D levels (ng/mL), median (IQR)22.3 (15.1–31.2)21.9 (16.1–28.8)22.3 (15.5–30.3)0.657
Deficiency (≤10 ng/mL), n (%)23 (10.1)11 (12.4)34 (10.8)0.565
Insufficiency (11–30 ng/mL), n (%)143 (63)61 (68.5)204 (64.6)0.333
Sufficiency (>30 ng/mL), n (%)61 (26.9)17 (19.1)78 (24.7)0.339
Vitamin D supplementation, n (%)17 (7.85)/17 (7.5)/
Table
Table 2. Efavirenz exposure stratification (< or ≥4000 ng/mL) in deficient, insufficient and sufficient values of vitamin D in the two different cohorts and both together. The p-values are obtained through chi squared test (crosstabs).
Table 2. Efavirenz exposure stratification (< or ≥4000 ng/mL) in deficient, insufficient and sufficient values of vitamin D in the two different cohorts and both together. The p-values are obtained through chi squared test (crosstabs).
Efavirenz < 4000 ng/mL
n (%)		Efavirenz ≥ 4000 ng/mL
n (%)		Total
n (%)
TurinDeficiency (≤10)16 (69.6)7 (30.4)23 (100)p = 0.017
Insufficiency (11–30)123 (86.0)20 (14.0)143 (100)
Sufficiency (>30)57 (93.4)4 (6.6)61 (100)
Total196 (86.3)31 (13.7)227 (100)
RomeDeficiency (≤10)3 (27.3)8 (72.7)11 (100)p < 0.001
Insufficiency (11–30)56 (91.8)5 (8.2)61 (100)
Sufficiency (>30)17 (100) 17 (100)
Total76 (85.4)13 (14.6)89 (100)
TotalDeficiency (≤10)19 (55.9)15 (44.1)34 (100)p < 0.001
Insufficiency (11–30)179 (87.7)25 (12.3)204 (100)
Sufficiency (>30)74 (94.9)4 (5.1)78 (100)
Total272 (86.1)44 (13.9)316 (100)
Table
Table 3. Efavirenz levels according to vitamin D supplementation in the Turin cohort. The p-values are obtained through chi squared test (crosstabs).
Table 3. Efavirenz levels according to vitamin D supplementation in the Turin cohort. The p-values are obtained through chi squared test (crosstabs).
Efv Levels < 1000 ng/mLEfv Levels 1000–4000 ng/mLEfv Levels > 4000 ng/mLTotal
No vitamin D supplementationDeficient (≤10) 16 (69.6)7 (30.4)23 (100)
Insufficient (11–30)5 (3.8)110 (83.3)17 (12.9)132 (100)p = 0.042
Normal (>30)3 (5.5)49 (89.1)3 (5.5)55 (100)
Total8 (3.8)175 (83.3)27 (12.9)210 (100)
Vitamin D
supplementation		Insufficient (11–30) 8 (72.7)3 (27.3)11 (100)
Normal (>30) 5 (83.3)1 (16.7)6 (100)p = 0.622
Total 13 (76.5)4 (23.5)17 (100)
AllDeficient (≤10) 16 (69.6)7 (30.4)23 (100)
Insufficient (11–30)5 (3.5)118 (82.5)20 (14.0)143 (100)p = 0.064
Normal (>30)3 (4.9)54 (88.5)4 (6.6)61 (100)
Total8 (3.5)188 (82.8)31 (13.7)227 (100)
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Cusato, J.; Tempestilli, M.; Calcagno, A.; Vergori, A.; Piselli, P.; Antonucci, M.; Avataneo, V.; Palermiti, A.; Notari, S.; Antinori, A.; et al. Vitamin D as Modulator of Drug Concentrations: A Study on Two Italian Cohorts of People Living with HIV Administered with Efavirenz. Nutrients 2021, 13, 3571. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103571

AMA Style

Cusato J, Tempestilli M, Calcagno A, Vergori A, Piselli P, Antonucci M, Avataneo V, Palermiti A, Notari S, Antinori A, et al. Vitamin D as Modulator of Drug Concentrations: A Study on Two Italian Cohorts of People Living with HIV Administered with Efavirenz. Nutrients. 2021; 13(10):3571. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103571

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cusato, Jessica, Massimo Tempestilli, Andrea Calcagno, Alessandra Vergori, Pierluca Piselli, Miriam Antonucci, Valeria Avataneo, Alice Palermiti, Stefania Notari, Andrea Antinori, and et al. 2021. "Vitamin D as Modulator of Drug Concentrations: A Study on Two Italian Cohorts of People Living with HIV Administered with Efavirenz" Nutrients 13, no. 10: 3571. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103571

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop