The Effects of Unbound Mycophenolic Acid (MPA) on Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase (IMPDH) Inhibition in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Patients

摘要

BackgroundMycophenolic acid (MPA) is a key immunosuppressive drug that acts through inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). MPA is commonly measured as part of therapeutic drug monitoring as the total concentration in plasma. However, it has been postulated that the free (unbound) fraction of MPA (fMPA) is responsible for the immunosuppressive effects. In this study, a sensitive low volume high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was developed to measure fMPA concentrations in order to explore the relationship between fMPA and IMPDH activity.