Three studies of natural xanthophylls

The purpose of this work was to isolate and study the oxidation of a carotenoid known as lactucaxanthin; to determine the dose vs. serum response of human subjects in a supplementation study of lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin; and to initiate an investigation of lutein in larval monarch butterflies. Our interest in lactucaxanthin arises because of its close structural homology to a keto carotenoid in human blood. The isolation of lactucaxanthin from Romaine Lettuce was accomplished by use of the reversed-phase HPLC. Preliminary results from the oxidation of lactucaxanthin using MnO2 show that two products are formed. Human subjects participated in supplementation studies of lutein and mesozeaxanthin. The effects of three daily dosages (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg) of lutein on serum lutein concentrations were investigated to determine the magnitude of the serum response The concentration of lutein in larval monarch butterflies was investigated. These caterpillars have stripes of three distinct colors: black, white, and yellow. The striped sections of the skin were separated by color, extracted and analyzed using reversed-phase HPLC. The concentration of lutein was highest in the yellow stripes

Rilpivirine in HIV-1-positive women initiating pregnancy: to switch or not to switch?

International audienceBackgroundSafety data about rilpivirine use during pregnancy remain scarce, and rilpivirine plasma concentrations are reduced during second/third trimesters, with a potential risk of viral breakthroughs. Thus, French guidelines recommend switching to rilpivirine-free combinations (RFCs) during pregnancy.ObjectivesTo describe the characteristics of women initiating pregnancy while on rilpivirine and to compare the outcomes for virologically suppressed subjects continuing rilpivirine until delivery versus switching to an RFC.MethodsIn the ANRS-EPF French Perinatal cohort, we included women on rilpivirine at conception in 2010–18. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between patients continuing versus interrupting rilpivirine. In women with documented viral suppression (<50 copies/mL) before 14 weeks of gestation (WG) while on rilpivirine, we compared the probability of viral rebound (≥50 copies/mL) during pregnancy between subjects continuing rilpivirine versus those switching to RFC.ResultsAmong 247 women included, 88.7% had viral suppression at the beginning of pregnancy. Overall, 184 women (74.5%) switched to an RFC (mostly PI/ritonavir-based regimens) at a median gestational age of 8.0 WG. Plasma HIV-1 RNA nearest delivery was <50 copies/mL in 95.6% of women. Among 69 women with documented viral suppression before 14 WG, the risk of viral rebound was higher when switching to RFCs than when continuing rilpivirine (20.0% versus 0.0%, P = 0.046). Delivery outcomes were similar between groups (overall birth defects, 3.8/100 live births; pregnancy losses, 2.0%; preterm deliveries, 10.6%). No HIV transmission occurred.ConclusionsIn virologically suppressed women initiating pregnancy, continuing rilpivirine was associated with better virological outcome than changing regimen. We did not observe a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes