U.S. patent application number 17/000790 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-17 for self-emulsifying composition of omega3 fatty acid.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOCHIDA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is MOCHIDA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hirosato FUJII, Hiromitsu ITO, Daichi TANAKA, Motoo YAMAGATA.
Application Number | 20200390893 17/000790 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005059458 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200390893 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ITO; Hiromitsu ; et
al. |
December 17, 2020 |
SELF-EMULSIFYING COMPOSITION OF OMEGA3 FATTY ACID
Abstract
A self-emulsifying composition contains: 70 to 90% by weight of
at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters; 0.5 to 6% by weight of water; 1 to 29%
by weight of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as an
emulsifier (optionally including a polyoxyl castor oil, and not
including lecithin); and lecithin in an amount of 3 to 40 parts by
weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of .omega.3
polyunsaturated fatty acids and the like. The self-emulsifying
composition is excellent in self-emulsifying property, composition
dispersibility, emulsion stability, and absorbability, is free from
ethanol and polyhydric alcohols or only has such an alcohol added
thereto at a reduced concentration, and is useful for foods and
pharmaceuticals.
Inventors: |
ITO; Hiromitsu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; FUJII; Hirosato; (Tokyo, JP) ; YAMAGATA;
Motoo; (Tokyo, JP) ; TANAKA; Daichi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MOCHIDA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MOCHIDA PHARMACEUTICAL CO.,
LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005059458 |
Appl. No.: |
17/000790 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16272713 |
Feb 11, 2019 |
10786575 |
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17000790 |
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15545181 |
Jul 20, 2017 |
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PCT/JP2016/051643 |
Jan 21, 2016 |
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16272713 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 47/26 20130101;
A23L 33/12 20160801; A61K 9/48 20130101; A61K 9/107 20130101; A23V
2002/00 20130101; A61K 9/0053 20130101; A61K 9/4866 20130101; A61K
47/24 20130101; A61K 47/44 20130101; A61K 9/1075 20130101; A61K
9/4875 20130101; A61K 31/232 20130101; A61K 9/4858 20130101; A61K
31/202 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 47/44 20060101
A61K047/44; A61K 31/202 20060101 A61K031/202; A61K 9/107 20060101
A61K009/107; A61K 47/24 20060101 A61K047/24; A61K 31/232 20060101
A61K031/232; A61K 47/26 20060101 A61K047/26; A23L 33/12 20060101
A23L033/12; A61K 9/00 20060101 A61K009/00; A61K 9/48 20060101
A61K009/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2015 |
JP |
PCT/JP2015/051558 |
Claims
1. A method for reducing the side effects of .omega.3PUFA wherein
at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
and lecithin are administered in combination.
2. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 1,
wherein an emulsifier is further administered in combination.
3. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 2,
wherein the emulsifier includes a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester.
4. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 2,
wherein the emulsifier includes a polyoxyethylene castor oil.
5. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 2,
wherein 5 to 45 parts by weight of the emulsifier is administered
in combination in relation to 100 parts by weight of the
.omega.3PUFA.
6. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 1,
wherein up to 120 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene castor oil
is administered in combination in relation to 100 parts by weight
of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester.
7. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 1,
wherein 1 to 25 parts by weight of the lecithin is administered in
combination with 100 parts by weight of the .omega.3PUFA.
8. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 1,
wherein upon administration to a human satisfies at least one of
the following (a) to (i) calculated by conducting the correction by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration: (a) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
is at least 50 .mu.g/mL, (b) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
2 hours after the administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL, (c) the
time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours, (d) the area under the curve
of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL, and (e) the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the administration is 5
to 100 .mu.g/mL. (f) the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the
administration is at least 100 .mu.ghr/mL, (g) the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration in steady state is at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
(h) the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady state
is at least 10 .mu.g/mL, and (i) the average .omega.3PUFA plasma
concentration in steady state is at least 30 .mu.g/mL.
9. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 8,
wherein content of the 3PUFA to be administered to human is 500 mg
to 10000 mg.
10. The method for reducing the side effects according to claim 1,
wherein a self-emulsifying composition containing the compound and
lecithin is administered.
Description
[0001] This application is a Divisional of copending application
Ser. No. 16/272,713 filed on Feb. 11, 2019, which is a Divisional
of application Ser. No. 15/545,181 filed on Jul. 20, 2017, which is
the U.S. National Phase of PCT/JP2016/051643, filed Jan. 21, 2016,
and which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) to
Application No. PCT/JP2015/051558 filed in Japan, on Jan. 21, 2015,
the entire contents of all of which are expressly incorporated by
reference into the present application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention provides a self-emulsifying composition
containing at least one member selected from the group consisting
of .omega.3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters. This invention also provides its
pharmaceutical product, its production method, a therapeutic method
using such pharmaceutical product, and a method for using the
same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Known .omega.3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (hereinafter
abbreviated as .omega.3 PUFA) include .alpha.-linolenic acid,
eicosapentaenoic acid (hereinafter abbreviated as EPA), and
docosahexaenoic acid (hereinafter abbreviated as DHA). Since the
.omega.3 PUFA and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
thereof (hereinafter abbreviated as .omega.3 PUFA) have actions
such as anti-arteriosclerosis action, platelet aggregation
suppressive action, blood lipid lowering action, anti-inflammatory
action, carcinostatic action, and central action, they are blended
in various food products, and commercially sold in the form of
health food and medical and pharmaceutical products.
[0004] Ethyl eicosapentaenoate ester (hereinafter abbreviated as
EPA-E) is commercially sold in Japan as an oral therapeutic agent
for ameliorating ulcer, pain, and coldness associated with
arteriosclerosis obliterans (hereinafter abbreviated as ASO) as
well as hyperlipidemia (product name Epadel, Mochida Pharmaceutical
Co., Ltd.). When EPA-E is orally administered under fasting,
increase in plasma EPA concentration is smaller than the case of
the oral administration after the meal conceivably because
absorption of the EPA-E requires secretion of bile acid and food
components as a carrier. Accordingly, Epadel is instructed to be
orally administered after the meal (see Non-Patent Literature
1).
[0005] However, dosage method or drug compliance has become a
problem for those people not taking breakfast with the recent
change in the life style, patients who can only take meals at a
reduced amount, patients who can only take a fluid diet (milk, rice
broth, starch gruel, egg, soup, juice, or oral nutritional
supplement), patients with reduced absorption ability of the
intestinal tract (for example, elderly, patients of intestinal
disease, patients after intestinal surgery, terminal cancer
patients, and patients taking a lipase inhibitor), or patients who
are unable to take meals such as those after the cerebral
infarction.
[0006] Attention is also being given to the relation between the
hypertriglyceridemia in non-fasting conditions wherein serum
triglyceride (hereinafter abbreviated as TG) that had been normal
in fasting conditions exhibits abnormal increase after the meal and
such condition is retained for a while and coronary artery
diseases, and accordingly, there is a demand for an .omega.3PUFA
preparation which is rapidly absorbed by pre-meal administration to
suppress the increase of the post-meal increase of the serum
TG.
[0007] A self-emulsifying preparation which does not contain water
in the preparation and which is readily dispersible and
self-emulsifying when brought in contact with water has been
reported (see Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 4).
This preparation contains an .omega.3 PUFA and fenofibrate as its
effective components, ethanol, and a surfactant.
[0008] These compositions contain ethanol as a component added for
improving the dissolution of the fenofibrate. However,
volatilization of the ethanol is associated with the risk of
capsule deformation and bubble inclusion in the capsule, damages in
the quality such as capsule deformation and cracks, as well as
denaturing of the content in the capsule such as cloudiness and
separation. In addition, use of a preparation containing such
composition should be impossible or difficult if not impossible for
patients intolerable for the alcohol (ethanol).
[0009] A self-emulsifying composition containing ethanol and
polyhydric alcohols in addition to the .omega.3 PUFA and a
surfactant which is capable of forming a dispersion having a small
or very small average particle size when brought in contact with
water is also reported (Patent Literature 2).
[0010] With regard to self-emulsifying compositions having a low
ethanol content, a self-emulsifying composition comprising an
.omega.3 PUFA, an emulsifier having a hydrophile lipophile balance
(hereinafter abbreviated as HLB) of at least 10, lecithin, and a
polyhydric alcohol such as propylene glycol or glycerin which has
high self-emulsifying property, oral fasting absorbability and
absorption speed has been reported (Patent Literature 3).
[0011] A self-emulsifying composition containing an .omega.3PUFA
ester and a surfactant but not containing .omega.3PUFA free acid,
which is not affected by meal has been reported (Patent Literature
4). However, the composition in which EPA-E is mainly contained as
the .omega.3PUFA ester is not examined.
[0012] When a composition containing a co-solvent such as a
polyhydric alcohol is encapsulated in a capsule, the co-solvent
moves to the capsule film to cause denaturing of the composition as
well as capsule deformation due to the softening of the capsule
(Patent Literature 5).
[0013] Self-emulsifying compositions, as generally containing
larger amounts of emulsifiers and, accordingly, being increased in
total amount, are liable to cause inflammation of the
gastrointestinal tract or have a reduced content per capsule of the
biologically active component dissolved in oil component (Patent
Literature 6). Accordingly, the emulsifier used in the
self-emulsifying composition is preferably the one which is
non-toxic or less-toxic even in the case of continuous
administration, and the emulsifier is preferably used at a low
content.
[0014] In view of compliance, amount of the emulsifier and alcohols
incorporated should be minimized also in consideration of reducing
the size of the preparation because amount of the preparation that
has to be taken per administration increases with the increase in
the amount of the components other than the .omega.3 PUFA in the
self-emulsifying composition since predetermined amount of the
.omega.3 PUFA should be taken per administration.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literatures
[0015] [Patent Literature 1] JP 2008-516890 A [0016] [Patent
Literature 2] JP 2012-519728 A [0017] [Patent Literature 3] WO
2010/134614 [0018] [Patent Literature 4] WO 2013/148136 [0019]
[Patent Literature 5] JP 2011-12003 A [0020] [Patent Literature 6]
JP 2012-180337 A
Non-Patent Literatures
[0020] [0021] [Non-Patent Literature 1] Epadel S (Drug Interview
Form), Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., June, 2012 [Non-Patent
Literature 2] "Guideline for Diagnosis and Prevention of
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases, 2007 Edition" edited by
Japan Atherosclerosis Society and published by Kyowa Kikaku Ltd.,
Apr. 25, 2007 [0022] [Non-Patent Literature 3] Diabetes, vol. 57,
no. 9, 2382-2392, 2008 [0023] [Non-Patent Literature 4] European
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 33, 351-360, 2008 [0024]
[Non-Patent Literature 5] "2007 Dictionary of Drug Additives"
edited by International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council Japan and
published by Yakuji Nippo Ltd., Jul. 25, 2007
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problems
[0025] There is a demand for a preparation wherein amount of the
ethanol and polyhydric alcohol in the self-emulsifying composition
has been reduced.
[0026] There is also a demand for a preparation wherein amount of
the emulsifier in the self-emulsifying composition has been
reduced.
[0027] There is also a demand for a preparation wherein amount of
the .omega.3PUFA in the self-emulsifying composition has been
increased.
[0028] There is also a demand for a preparation with improved
safety for animals (including human).
[0029] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
with excellent drug compliance.
[0030] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which can retain its good appearance without exhibiting denaturing
such as cloudness or separation if stored at room temperature.
There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition which is
excellent in at least one of compatibility (appearance),
self-emulsifying property, dispersibility of the composition,
emulsion stability, and absorbability.
[0031] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which can retain its good appearance without exhibiting denaturing
such as cloudiness or separation even if stored in low or high
temperature conditions in addition to the room temperature since
the self-emulsifying composition may be stored in cold area in its
use as a drug. There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying
composition which is excellent in at least one of compatibility
(appearance), self-emulsifying property, dispersibility of the
composition, emulsion stability, and absorbability.
[0032] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which has storage stability at at least one of room temperature,
low temperature and high temperature.
[0033] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which has storage stability at at least one specific temperature
selected from the temperature of from, for example, 5.degree. C. to
40.degree. C.
[0034] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which does not change the parameters to cause stable quality as a
pharmaceutical product deteriorate if stored at at least one of
room temperature, low temperature and high temperature.
[0035] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which does not change the parameters to caues stable quality as a
pharmaceutical product to deteriorate if stored at at least one
specific temperature selected from the temperature of from, for
example, 5.degree. C. to 40.degree. C.
[0036] There is also a demand for a preparation wherein the
composition has been encapsulated.
[0037] There is also a demand for a preparation wherein softening
of the capsule film in the encapsulation of the composition has
been suppressed so that the preparation is not deformed.
[0038] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
with improved absorption of the .omega.3PUFA.
[0039] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which exhibits the same pharmacokinetics as the conventional
pharmacokinetics immediately after the post-meal administration of
the .omega.3PUFA preparation even if administered at a smaller dose
of the .omega.3PUFA.
[0040] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which has high therapeutic effects, or by which the dose of the
.omega.3PUFA required for the treatment can be reduced.
[0041] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which increases the .omega.3PUFA concentration in blood (the term
"in blood" means "in whole blood, plasma, or serum" and this also
applies to the following description) after the administration of
the self-emulsifying composition as well as a method for such
increase.
[0042] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which is rapidly absorbed even if administered before the meal or
after the low-fat meal to thereby suppress an increase in the serum
TG as well as a method for such suppression.
[0043] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which prevents essential fatty acid deficiency upon administration
of the lipase inhibitor as administered before going to bed as well
as a method for such prevention.
[0044] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which can reduce the amount of the .omega.3PUFA that is not
absorbed and then egested after administration as well as a method
for such reduction.
[0045] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which enhances tissue migration properties of the .omega.3PUFA as
well as a method for such enhancement.
[0046] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
with increased uptake of the .omega.3PUFA into phospholipid in
blood as well as a method for such increase.
[0047] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which decreases arachidonic acid in blood and/or improves the
EPA/AA ratio indicating the ratio of EPA to arachidonic acid as
well as a method for such decrease and/or improvement.
[0048] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
with reduced side effects (side effects of lower gastrointestinal
tract, nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, abdominal pain,
heartburn, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, stomatitis, thirst,
bloating, flatulence, etc.) as well as a method for such
reduction.
[0049] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
wherein absorption of the .omega.3PUFA is not or little affected by
the meal as well as a method thereof.
[0050] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which exhibits good absorption of the .omega.3PUFA irrespective of
timing of the administration whether the administration is carried
out in the fasting, before the meal, or after the low-fat meal.
[0051] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying preparation or
a method which is capable of: by administration, improving
(reducing) at least one parameter selected from TG, total
cholesterol (hereinafter referred to as T-cho), low density
lipoprotein cholesterol (hereinafter referred to as LDL-C),
non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (hereinafter referred to
as non-HDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol
(hereinafter referred to as VLDL-C), very low density lipoprotein
triglyceride (hereinafter referred to as VLDL-TG), oxidized low
density lipoprotein (hereinafter referred to as oxidized LDL),
small dense LDL, hyper-remnant-like lipoprotein particle
cholesterol (hereinafter referred to as RLP-C), apoprotein B
(hereinafter referred to as ApoB), apolipoprotein CIII (hereinafter
referred to as ApoCIII), lipoprotein (a), lipoprotein-associated
phospholipase A2 (hereinafter referred to as Lp-PLA2), cholesteryl
ester transfer protein (hereinafter referred to as CETP activity),
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hereinafter referred to as
hs-CRP), plasma phospholipid, free fatty acid, fasting blood
glucose, hyper-hemoglobin A1c (hereinafter referred to as HbAlc),
hyper insulin resistance index (hereinafter referred to as
HOMA-IR), intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-6
(hereinafter referred to as IL-6), plasminogen activator
inhibitor-1 (hereinafter referred to as PAI-1), creatinine,
aspartic acid aminotransferase (hereinafter referred to as AST),
alanineaminotranspherase (hereinafter referred to as ALT), uric
acid, 8-isoprostane, thromboxane A2 (hereinafter referred to as
TXA2) and leukotriene B2 (hereinafter referred to as LTB2) and the
metabolites thereof (hydroxy eicosatetraenoic acid (hereinafter
referred to as HETE)), and the like; improving (increasing) at
least one parameter selected from high density lipoprotein
cholesterol (hereinafter referred to as HDL-C), apoprotein A-I
(hereinafter referred to as apoA-I), apoA-I/ApoB ratio, EPA in the
plasma, serum, erythrocyte membrane or platelet membrane; reducing
the number of LDL particles; increasing LDL particle size; and
improving at least one parameter selected from apoprotein E
(hereinafter referred to as ApoE) genotype abnormality, hemoglobin
abnormality, hematocrit abnormality, thrombocyte abnormality, and
the like.
[0052] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which can be absorbed even when administered at a high dose at the
level that the absorption of the .omega.3PUFA would be saturated
with no further absorption in blood if the .omega.3PUFA were solely
administered.
[0053] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
wherein the composition has stable quality.
[0054] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which has storage stability immediately after its production or for
any long period of, for example, three or five years after its
production.
[0055] There is also a demand for a self-emulsifying composition
which does not change the parameters to cause stable quality as a
pharmaceutical product deteriorate immediately after its production
or if stored for any long period of, for example, three or five
years after its production.
[0056] There is also a demand for an emulsion with improved
absorption of the .omega.3PUFA, a self-emulsifying composition for
enabling quick production of the emulsion, and a method for
producing the emulsion.
[0057] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a self-emulsifying composition which is capable of solving
at least one of the problems as described above, a preparation
encapsulating such composition, a therapeutic method using such
preparation, and a method for using such preparation.
Solution to Problems
[0058] In view of the situation as described above, the inventors
of the present invention conducted an intensive investigation on
components which can substitute the ethanol and polyhydric alcohol
and found that a predetermined amount of water is useful for
improving compatibility of the self-emulsifying composition.
[0059] The inventors also found that since the content of water in
the composition can be reduced to 0.5 to 6% by weight which is
lower than the case of ethanol and polyhydric alcohol, and the
content of the emulsifier can be further reduced by the improvement
in compatibility caused by this small amount of water, production
of a self-emulsifying composition having high content the
.omega.3PUFA is thereby enabled.
[0060] The inventors also found that a self-emulsifying composition
which is excellent in at least one of the objects as described
above can be produced, and the present invention was thereby
completed.
[0061] The inventors also found that content of the emulsifier can
be further reduced and the present invention of the
self-emulsifying composition having a high content of .omega.3PUFA
was thereby completed.
[0062] The inventors also found that incorporation of the
particular emulsifier enables production of a self-emulsifying
composition which is favorable in at least one of higher blood
concentration of the .omega.3PUFA, reduced side effects, absorption
of the .omega.3PUFA not or least affected by the meal, unsaturation
in the amount of the .omega.3PUFA absorption, and the like, and the
present invention was thereby completed.
[0063] The composition of the present invention is a composition
which is excellent in at least one of the aspects as described
above.
[0064] The first aspect of the present invention is the
self-emulsifying composition as described below.
(1-1) A self-emulsifying composition characterized in that, when
the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight, it comprises
[0065] a) 70 to 90% by weight of at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters,
[0066] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0067] c) 1 to 29% by weight of an emulsifier (not including
lecithin), which is preferably polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid
ester, and
[0068] d) lecithin at an amount of 3 to 40 parts by weight, or 1 to
25 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of .omega.3
polyunsaturated fatty acids or their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters, wherein
[0069] e) content of ethanol and/or polyhydric alcohol is up to 4%
by weight of the total composition.
(1-2) A self-emulsifying composition characterized in that, when
the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight, it comprises
[0070] a) 70 to 90% by weight of at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of .omega.3 PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters,
[0071] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0072] c) 1 to 29% by weight of an emulsifier which is preferably
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and
[0073] d) lecithin at an amount of 3 to 40 parts by weight, or 1 to
25 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of at least
one compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3
polyunsaturated fatty acids and their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters, and
[0074] e) content of ethanol is up to 4% by weight of the total
composition, and
[0075] f) content of polyhydric alcohol is up to 4% by weight of
the total composition.
(1-3) A self-emulsifying composition according to the above (1-1)
or (1-2) wherein the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester is
at least one member selected from the group consisting of
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (20)
sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate,
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate, polyoxyethylene (20)
sorbitan monoisostearate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate,
and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate. (1-4) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-3) wherein the emulsifier further comprises
polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil and/or polyoxyethylene
castor oil. (1-5) A self-emulsifying composition according to any
one of the above (1-1) to (1-4) wherein the emulsifier further
comprises polyoxyethylene castor oil. (1-6) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-5)
wherein the polyhydric alcohol is propylene glycol or glycerin.
(1-7) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (1-1) to (1-6) wherein the polyhydric alcohol content in the
composition is 0 to 4% by weight. (1-8) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-6)
wherein the polyhydric alcohol content in the composition is not in
excess of 4% by weight. (1-9) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-8) wherein the
polyhydric alcohol content in the composition is up to 1% by
weight. (1-10) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one
of the above (1-1) to (1-9) wherein the polyhydric alcohol content
in the composition is 0 to 1% by weight, (1-11) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-8)
wherein the polyhydric alcohol content in the composition is not in
excess of 1% by weight. (1-12) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-11) wherein the
composition is substantially free from the polyhydric alcohol.
(1-13) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (1-1) to (1-12) wherein the ethanol content in the
composition is up to 4% by weight. (1-14) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-12)
wherein the ethanol content in the composition is 0 to 4% by
weight. (1-15) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one
of the above (1-1) to (1-12) wherein the ethanol content in the
composition is not in excess of 4% by weight. (1-16) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-15) wherein the composition is substantially free from
the ethanol. (1-17) A self-emulsifying composition according to any
one of the above (1-1) to (1-16) wherein the .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters are at least one
member selected from the group consisting of EPA, DHA, and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters. (1-18) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-17) wherein the .omega.3PUFA ester is ethyl ester or
triglyceride ester. (1-19) A self-emulsifying composition according
to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-18) wherein the .omega.3PUFA
and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters are EPA-E or
ethyl ester of DHA (hereinafter referred to as DHA-E). (1-20) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-19) wherein the composition contains the at least one
member selected from the group consisting of EPA, DHA, and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as its effective
component. (1-21) A self-emulsifying composition according to any
one of the above (1-1) to (1-20) wherein the composition contains
EPA-E and/or DHA-E as its effective component. (1-22) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-21) containing EPA-E as its effective component. (1-23)
A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-22) wherein the lecithin is at least one member
selected from the group consisting of soybean lecithin, zymolytic
soybean lecithin, hydrogenated soybean lecithin, and egg yolk
lecithin. (1-24) A self-emulsifying composition according to any
one of the above (1-1) to (1-23) wherein content of at least one
emulsifier selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oil, polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester, and
polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol is less than 5% by weight
of total amount of the composition. And also, the self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-23)
wherein content of each of the emulsifiers, namely, polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene glycol fatty acid ester,
and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol is less than 5% by
weight of total amount of the composition. (1-25) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-24) characterized in that a) to d) are mixed in any
order. (1-26) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one
of the above (1-1) to (1-25) wherein the composition has
transparent appearance when it is allowed to stand. (1-27) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-25) wherein the composition has an appearance without
separation or cloudiness when it is allowed to stand. (1-28) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-27) wherein the composition has transparent appearance
when it is stored in the environment of 5.degree. C. or 40.degree.
C. for 12 hours. (1-29) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (1-1) to (1-28) wherein the composition has an
appearance without separation or cloudiness when it is stored in
the environment of 5.degree. C. or 40.degree. C. for 12 hours.
(1-30) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (1-1) to (1-29) wherein the composition is excellent in at
least one of self-emulsifying property, dispersibility of the
composition, and emulsion stability. (1-31) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-30)
wherein the composition emulsifies by itself when 10 .mu.L of the
composition is added dropwise to 5 ml of purified water or first
solution of the dissolution test of Japanese Pharmacopeia at
37.degree. c. (1-32) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (1-1) to (1-31) wherein the composition
disperses by stirring when 10 .mu.L of the composition is added
dropwise to 5 ml of purified water or first solution of the
dissolution test of Japanese Pharmacopeia at 37.degree. c. (1-33) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-32) wherein the composition does not experience
separation of oil when 10 .mu.L of the composition is added
dropwise to 5 ml of purified water or first solution of the
dissolution test of Japanese Pharmacopeia at 37.degree. c. (1-34) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-33) wherein, when the self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-33) at an amount in
terms of the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters of 600 mg is orally administered to each male
beagle under the condition of at least 18 hours of fasting, and the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is calculated by conducting the
correction by subtracting .omega.3PUFA concentration in plasma
before the administration, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration (also referred to as the maximum blood concentration)
is at least 50 .mu.g/ml, and/or the area under the curve of the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 2 hours after the
administration is at least 30 .mu.ghr/mL; the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 50 .mu.g/ml, and/or the area
under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 2
hours after the administration is at least 50 .mu.ghr/mL; the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 60 .mu.g/ml,
and/or the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 2 hours after the administration is at least
60 .mu.ghr/mL; or the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is
at least 70 .mu.g/ml, and/or the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 2 hours after the administration
is at least 70 .mu.ghr/mL. (1-35) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-33) wherein, when the
self-emulsifying composition at an amount in terms of the at least
one compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters of 45 mg/kg body
weight is orally administered to each male cynomolgus monkey under
the condition of at least 12 hours of fasting, and the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration is calculated by conducting the
correction by subtracting .omega.3PUFA concentration in plasma
before the administration, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration is at least 50 .mu.g/ml, and/or the area under the
curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 12 hours
after the administration is at least 400 .mu.ghr/mL; or the maximum
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 70 .mu.g/ml, and/or
the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
at 0 to 12 hours after the administration is at least 500
.mu.ghr/mL. (1-36) Use of the self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-33) wherein, when
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-33) is orally administered at an amount in terms of the
at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
of one selected from the group consisting of 500 mg, 1000 mg, 1800
mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg, 4000 mg, 6000 mg, and 8000 mg to each human
before the meal, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by conducting the correction by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration is at least 50
.mu.g/mL and/or the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after
the administration is at least 10 .mu.g/mL. (1-37) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-33) wherein, when self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-33) is orally
administered at an amount in terms of the at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters of one selected from
the group consisting of 500 mg, 1000 mg, 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg,
4000 mg, 6000 mg, and 8000 mg to each human before the meal, and
the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is calculated by conducting
the correction by subtracting .omega.3PUFA concentration in plasma
before the administration, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration is at least 10 .mu.g/mL and/or the area under the
curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours
after the administration is at least 250 .mu.ghr/mL. (1-38) A
self-emulsifying composition according to (1-1) to (1-37) wherein
the polyoxyethylene castor oil is up to 120 parts by weight in
relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan
fatty acid ester in the composition. (1-39) A self-emulsifying
composition characterized in that, when the total amount of the
self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight, it comprises
[0076] a) 70 to 90% by weight of EPA-E,
[0077] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0078] c) 1 to 29% by weight of an emulsifier which is
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and
[0079] d) lecithin at an amount of 3 to 40 parts by weight, or 1 to
25 parts by weight in relation to 100 part by weight of the EPA-E,
and
[0080] e) content of ethanol and/or polyhydric alcohol is up to 4%
by weight of the total composition.
(1-40) A self-emulsifying composition characterized in that, when
the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight, it comprises
[0081] a) 70 to 90% by weight of EPA-E,
[0082] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0083] c) 1 to 29% by weight of an emulsifier which is
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and
[0084] d) lecithin at an amount of 3 to 40 parts by weight, or 1 to
25 parts by weight in relation to 100 part by weight of the EPA-E,
and
[0085] e) content of ethanol is up to 4% by weight of the total
composition, and
[0086] f) content of polyhydric alcohol is up to 4% by weight of
the total composition.
[0087] The second aspect of the present invention is the capsulated
self-emulsifying preparation as described below.
(2-1) A self-emulsifying capsule preparation wherein the content is
the self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-40) and wherein the composition is encapsulated by a
hard capsule and/or a soft capsule. (2-2) A self-emulsifying
capsule preparation according to (2-1) having good hardness
immediately after its production. (2-3) A self-emulsifying capsule
preparation according to (2-1) or (2-2) having a hardness of at
least 18 kgf immediately after its production. (2-4) A
self-emulsifying capsule preparation according to any one of (2-1)
to (2-3), wherein, when the preparation is sealed in an aluminum
package and stored at 40.degree. c. for 1 week, the preparation
does not experience loss of hardness of 6 kgf or more compared with
the hardness before the storage. (2-5) A self-emulsifying capsule
preparation according to any one of (2-1) to (2-4) wherein, when
the preparation is sealed in an aluminum package and stored at
40.degree. C. for 1 week, the preparation retains a hardness of at
least 20 kgf. (2-6) A self-emulsifying capsule preparation
according to any one of (2-1) to (2-5) wherein, when the
preparation is sealed in an aluminum package and stored at
40.degree. C. for 1 week, the hardness after the storage is more
than 60% of the hardness before the storage. (2-7) A preparation
according to any one of the above (2-1) to (2-6) which is at least
one member selected from the group consisting of therapeutic agents
for dyslipidemia (hypercholesterolemia, hyper-LDL cholesterolemia,
hyper-non-HDL cholesterolemia, hyper-VLDL cholesterolemia, hypo-HDL
cholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-ApoB-emia,
hypo-ApoAl-emia, increased LDL particle number-emia, small LDL
particle size-emia, hyper-oxidized LDL-emia, hyper-small dense
LDL-emia, hyper-RLP-C-emia, hypo-apoA-I/ApoB ratio-emia,
hyper-ApoCIII-emia, dys-ApoE genotype-emia, hyper-lipoprotein
(a)-emia, hyper-Lp-PLA2-emia, hyper-CETP activity-emia,
hyper-hs-CRP-emia, hypo-EPA-emia (the state wherein EPA value in
plasma, serum, erythrocyte membrane, platelet membrane is low),
hyper-free fatty acidemia), hyper-fasting glucose-emia,
hyper-HbAlc-emia, hyper-HOMA-IR-emia, hyper-intercellular adhesion
molecule-1-emia, hyper-IL-6-emia, hyper-PAI-1-emia,
hypercreatininemia, hyper-AST-emia, hyper-ALT-emia, hyper-uric
acidemia, hyper-8-isoprostane-emia, hyper-TXA2-emia,
hyper-LTB2-emia, etc., therapeutic agent for postprandial
hyperglycemia, antiarteriosclerotic agent, platelet aggregation
suppressive agent, therapeutic agent for peripheral circulatory
insufficiency, agent for preventing onset of cardiovascular events,
therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases (nonalcoholic fatty
liver disease (hereinafter referred to as NAFLD), non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis (hereinafter referred to as NASH), etc.),
progression suppressant and therapeutic agent of dementia
(Alzheimer-type dementia, vascular dementia, mixed-type dementia,
etc.), anticancer agent, and preventive and therapeutic agents and
progression suppresant for central diseases (depression, depressive
state, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, panic
disorder, etc.).
[0088] The third aspect of the present invention is the method for
producing the self-emulsifying composition as described below.
(3-1) A method for producing a self-emulsifying composition
comprising the step of, when the total amount of the
self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight, mixing the
following components a) to d) in any order
[0089] a) 70 to 90% by weight of at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters,
[0090] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0091] c) 1 to 29% by weight of an emulsifier which is
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and
[0092] d) lecithin at an amount of 3 to 40 parts by weight or 1 to
25 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of at least
one compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3
polyunsaturated fatty acids or their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters, wherein
[0093] e) content of ethanol and/or polyhydric alcohol is up to 4%
by weight of the total composition.
(3-2) A method for producing a self-emulsifying composition
comprising the step of, when the total amount of the
self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight, mixing the
following components a) to d) in any order
[0094] a) 70 to 90% by weight of at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of .omega.3 PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters,
[0095] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0096] c) 1 to 29% by weight of an emulsifier which is
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and
[0097] d) lecithin at an amount of 3 to 40 parts by weight in
relation to 100 parts by weight of .omega.3 polyunsaturated fatty
acids or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters,
wherein
[0098] e) content of ethanol is up to 4% by weight of the total
composition, and
[0099] f) content of polyhydric alcohol is up to 4% by weight of
the total composition.
(3-3) A method for producing a self-emulsifying composition
according to (3-1) or (3-2) wherein the method includes the step of
mixing the a), b) and/or c) of the step as described above under
heating to 70.degree. c.
[0100] The fourth aspect of the present invention is a drug for
administering the self-emulsifying composition by particular
route.
(4-1) A preparation for orally administering the self-emulsifying
composition or capsulated self-emulsifying preparation, drug or
veterinary drug according to any one of the above (1-1) to (1-40)
and (2-1) to (2-7) in the fasting or before going to bed. (4-2) A
preparation for orally administering the self-emulsifying
composition or capsulated self-emulsifying preparation, drug or
veterinary drug produced by the production method according to any
one of the above (3-1) to (3-3) in the fasting or before going to
bed. (4-3) A preparation according to the above (4-1) or (4-2)
wherein the drug is at least one member selected from the group
consisting of therapeutic agent for dyslipidemia
(hypercholesterolemia, hyper-LDL cholesterolemia, hyper-non-HDL
cholesterolemia, hyper-VLDL cholesterolemia, hypo-HDL
cholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-ApoB-emia,
hypo-ApoAl-emia, increased LDL particle number-emia, small LDL
particle size-emia, hyper-oxidized LDL-emia, hyper-small dense
LDL-emia, hyper-RLP-C-emia, hypo-apoA-I/ApoB ratio-emia,
hyper-ApoCIII-emia, dys-ApoE genotype-emia, hyper-lipoprotein
(a)-emia, hyper-Lp-PLA2-emia, hyper-CETP activity-emia,
hyper-hs-CRP-emia, hypo-EPA-emia (the state wherein EPA value in
plasma, serum, erythrocyte membrane, platelet membrane is low),
hyper-free fatty acidemia), hyper-fasting glucose-emia,
hyper-HbAlc-emia, hyper-HOMA-IR-emia, hyper-intercellular adhesion
molecule-1-emia, hyper-IL-6-emia, hyper-PAI-1-emia,
hypercreatininemia, hyper-AST-emia, hyper-ALT-emia, hyper-uric
acidemia, hyper-8-isoprostane-emia, hyper-TXA2-emia,
hyper-LTB2-emia, etc.), therapeutic agent for postprandial
hyperglycemia, antiarteriosclerotic agent, platelet aggregation
suppressive agent, therapeutic agent for peripheral circulatory
insufficiency, agent for preventing onset of cardiovascular events,
therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases (NAFLD, NASH, etc.),
anticancer agent, and preventive and therapeutic agents and
progression suppressant for central diseases (depression,
depressive state, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia,
panic disorder, etc.). (4-4) A preparation according to any one of
the above (4-1) to (4-3) which is administered once a day. (4-5)
Method for administering and/or using the preparation according to
any one of the above (4-1) to (4-4). (4-6) A method for increasing
the .omega.3PUFA concentration in plasma by oral administration
according to any one of the (4-1) to (4-4).
[0101] The fifth aspect of the present invention is a preventive,
progression suppressing, or therapeutic method for at least one
disease selected from the following group.
(5-1) A preventive, progression suppressing, or therapeutic method
for at least one disease selected from dyslipidemia
(hypercholesterolemia, hyper-LDL cholesterolemia, hyper-non-HDL
cholesterolemia, hyper-VLDL cholesterolemia, hypo-HDL
cholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-ApoB-emia,
hypo-ApoAl-emia, increased LDL particle number-emia, small LDL
particle size-emia, hyper-oxidized LDL-emia, hyper-small dense
LDL-emia, hyper-RLP-C-emia, hypo-apoA-I/ApoB ratio-emia,
hyper-ApoCIII-emia, dys-ApoE genotype-emia, hyper-lipoprotein
(a)-emia, hyper-Lp-PLA2-emia, hyper-CETP activity-emia,
hyper-hs-CRP-emia, hypo-EPA-emia (the state wherein EPA value in
plasma, serum, erythrocyte membrane, platelet membrane is low),
hyper-free fatty acidemia), hyper-fasting glucose-emia,
hyper-HbAlc-emia, hyper-HOMA-IR-emia, hyper-intercellular adhesion
molecule-1-emia, hyper-IL-6-emia, hyper-PAI-1-emia,
hypercreatininemia, hyper-AST-emia, hyper-ALT-emia, hyper-uric
acidemia, hyper-8-isoprostane-emia, hyper-TXA2-emia,
hyper-LTB2-emia, etc.), postprandial hyperglycemia,
arteriosclerosis, increase of platelet aggregation, peripheral
circulatory insufficiency, cardiovascular events, inflammatory
diseases (NAFLD, NASH, etc.), dementia (Alzheimer-type dementia,
vascular dementia, mixed-type dementia, etc.), cancer, and central
diseases (depression, depressive state, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, etc.), wherein at least
one self-emulsifying composition or capsulated self-emulsifying
preparation, drug or veterinary drug selected from those according
to the above (1-1) to (1-40) and (2-1) to (2-7), is orally
administered to a patient. (5-2) A method according to the above
(5-1) wherein the self-emulsifying composition or capsulated
self-emulsifying preparation, drug or veterinary drug is orally
administered in the fasting or before going to bed. (5-3) A method
according to the above (5-1) or (5-2) wherein the self-emulsifying
composition or capsulated self-emulsifying preparation, drug or
veterinary drug is administered once a day.
[0102] The sixth aspect of the present invention is the
self-emulsifying composition as described below.
(6-1) A self-emulsifying composition wherein the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration determined by orally administering the
self-emulsifying composition selected from any one of the above
(1-1) to (1-40) and (2-1) to (2-7) at an amount corresponding to
600 mg of the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters to male beagles under the condition of at least 18
hours of fasting, and conducting the correction by subtracting
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration is at
least 50 .mu.g/mL and/or the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 2 hours after the administration
is at least 30 .mu.ghr/mL; the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL and/or the area under the
curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 2 hours
after the administration is at least 50 .mu.ghr/mL; the maximum
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 60 .mu.g/mL and/or
the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
at 0 to 2 hours after the administration is at least 60 .mu.ghr/mL;
or the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 70
.mu.g/mL and/or the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 2 hours after the administration is at least
70 .mu.ghr/mL. (6-2) A self-emulsifying composition wherein the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration determined by orally
administering the self-emulsifying composition selected from any
one of the above (1-1) to (1-40) and (2-1) to (2-7) at an amount
corresponding to 45 mg/kg of body weight of at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters to male cynomolgus
monkeys under the condition of at least 12 hours of fasting, and
conducting the correction by subtracting plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration before the administration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL
and/or the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 12 hours after the administration is at least
400 .mu.ghr/mL; or the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is
at least 70 .mu.g/mL and/or the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 12 hours after the
administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL. (6-3) A self-emulsifying
composition wherein the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
determined by orally administering the self-emulsifying composition
selected from any one of the above (1-1) to (1-40) and (2-1) to
(2-7) at an amount corresponding to 1800 mg of at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters to human before
the meal, and conducting the correction by subtracting plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration is at least 50
.mu.g/mL and/or the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration 2 hours after the administration is at least 10
.mu.g/mL. (6-4) A self-emulsifying composition wherein the maximum
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration determined by orally
administering the self-emulsifying composition selected from any
one of the above (1-1) to (1-40) and (2-1) to (2-7) at an amount
corresponding to 1800 mg of at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters to human before the meal, and
conducting the correction by subtracting plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration before the administration is at least 10 .mu.g/mL
and/or the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
250 .mu.ghr/mL.
[0103] The seventh aspect of the present invention is the
self-emulsifying composition as described below.
(7-1) A self-emulsifying composition comprising at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as well as
lecithin and/or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the
emulsifier, which upon administration to a human satisfies at least
one of the following (a) to (e) calculated by conducting the
correction by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
before the administration:
[0104] (a) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at
least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0105] (b) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the
administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL,
[0106] (c) the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours,
[0107] (d) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL, and
[0108] (e) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is 5 to 100 .mu.g/mL.
(7-2) A self-emulsifying composition according to the above (7-1)
wherein content of the at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters in the composition administered to
human is 500 mg to 10000 mg. (7-3) A self-emulsifying composition
according to the above (7-1) or (7-2) wherein content of the at
least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
in the composition administered to human is at least one of 500 mg,
1000 mg, 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg, 4000 mg, 6000 mg, and 8000 mg.
(7-4) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-1) to (7-3) wherein content of the at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters in the composition
administered to human is selected from 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg,
and 4000 mg. (7-5) A self-emulsifying composition according to any
one of the above (7-1) to (7-4) wherein the .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters in the composition
administered to human are at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of EPA and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts
and esters. (7-6) A self-emulsifying composition according to the
above (7-5) wherein the EPA and its pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters are ethyl ester of EPA. (7-7) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (7-1) to (7-6)
wherein, when the composition is administered, the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by conducting the correction
by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL, and the area under the
curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours
after the administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL. (7-8) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(7-1) to (7-7) wherein, when the composition is administered, the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by conducting
the correction by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
before the administration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL, and the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the administration is 5
to 100 .mu.g/mL. (7-9) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (7-1) to (7-8) wherein, when the composition
is administered, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by conducting the correction by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration is at least 50
.mu.g/mL, and the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours. (7-10) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(7-1) to (7-9) wherein, when the composition is administered, the
area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0
to 72 hours after the administration calculated by conducting the
correction by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
before the administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL, and the time
required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
(Tmax) is up to 6 hours. (7-11) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-1) to (7-10) wherein, when the
composition is administered under fasting, the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by conducting the correction
by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration is at three times as high as the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration immediately after the meal, or the area
under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72
hours after the administration is at least twice as large as the
area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
immediately after the meal. (7-12) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-1) to (7-11) wherein the
composition contains lecithin and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester as the emulsifier. (7-13) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-1) to (7-12) wherein the
composition further contains polyoxyethylene castor oil as the
emulsifier. (7-14) A self-emulsifying composition according to any
one of (7-1) to (7-13) wherein content of the emulsifier is 1 to
29% by weight when the total amount of the self-emulsifying
composition is 100% by weight. (7-15) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of (7-1) to (7-14) wherein content
of the lecithin is 3 to 40 parts by weight or 1 to 25 parts by
weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters. (7-16) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(7-1) to (7-15) wherein content of the polyoxyethylene castor oil
is up to 120 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of
the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in the composition.
(7-17) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-1) to (7-14) wherein the composition is at least one
member selected from the group consisting of therapeutic agent for
dyslipidemia (hypercholesterolemia, hyper-LDL cholesterolemia,
hyper-non-HDL cholesterolemia, hyper-VLDL cholesterolemia, hypo-HDL
cholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-ApoB-emia,
hypo-ApoAl-emia, increased LDL particle number-emia, small LDL
particle size-emia, hyper-oxidized LDL-emia, hyper-small dense
LDL-emia, hyper-RLP-C-emia, hypo-apoA-I/ApoB ratio-emia,
hyper-ApoCIII-emia, dys-ApoE genotype-emia, hyper-lipoprotein
(a)-emia, hyper-Lp-PLA2-emia, hyper-CETP activity-emia,
hyper-hs-CRP-emia, hypo-EPA-emia (the state wherein EPA value in
plasma, serum, erythrocyte membrane, platelet membrane is low),
hyper-free fatty acidemia), hyper-fasting glucose-emia,
hyper-HbAlc-emia, hyper-HOMA-IR-emia, hyper-intercellular adhesion
molecule-1-emia, hyper-IL-6-emia, hyper-PAI-1-emia,
hypercreatininemia, hyper-AST-emia, hyper-ALT-emia, hyper-uric
acidemia, hyper-8-isoprostane-emia, hyper-TXA2-emia,
hyper-LTB2-emia, etc.), therapeutic agent for postprandial
hyperglycemia, antiarteriosclerotic agent, platelet aggregation
suppressive agent, therapeutic agent for peripheral circulatory
insufficiency, agent for preventing onset of cardiovascular events,
therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases (NAFLD, NASH, etc.),
anticancer agent, and preventive and therapeutic agents and
progression suppressant for central diseases (depression,
depressive state, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia,
panic disorder, etc.). (7-18) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-1) to (7-17) wherein the
composition containing 500 mg to 10000 mg of at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is administered once a
day. (7-19) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of
the above (7-1) to (7-18) wherein the composition is administered
under fasting, before the meal, immediately after the meal, or
after the meal. (7-20) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (7-1) to (7-19) comprising at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters, lecithin, and a
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene
castor oil as emulsifiers, wherein content of the polyoxyethylene
castor oil is up to 120 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by
weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in the
composition, and wherein, when the composition is administered to a
human at an amount in terms of the at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters of 500 mg to 10000 mg,
the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by
correcting the value by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration before the administration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
and the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL. (7-21) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of (7-1) to (7-20) wherein content of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is 70 to 90% by
weight when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is
100% by weight. (7-22) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of (7-1) to (7-21) wherein content of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of EPA and its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is 70 to 90% by weight
when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight. (7-23) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one
of (7-1) to (7-22) wherein content of the lecithin is 3 to 40 parts
by weight or 1 to 25 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by
weight of the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters. (7-24) A self-emulsifying composition according
to any one of the above (7-1) to (7-23) wherein the composition
contains water. (7-25) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (7-1) to (7-24) wherein content of the water
in the composition is 0.5 to 6% by weight of the total weight of
the composition. (7-26) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (7-1) to (7-25) wherein content of the ethanol
in the composition is up to 4% by weight of the total weight of the
composition.
[0109] f) the polyhydric alcohol is up to 4% by weight of the total
weight of the composition.
(7-27) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-1) to (7-26) comprising, when total amount of the
composition is 100% by weight,
[0110] a) 70 to 90% by weight of EPA-E,
[0111] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0112] c) 1 to 29% by weight of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester as the emulsifier, and
[0113] d) 3 to 40 parts by weight, or 1 to 25 parts by weight of
lecithin in relation to 100 parts by weight of the lecithin,
wherein
[0114] e) the ethanol and/or the polyhydric alcohol is up to 4% by
weight of the total amount of the composition.
(7-28) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-1) to (7-27) wherein the composition is orally
administered. (7-29) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (7-1) to (7-28) wherein the composition is a
composition for oral administration. (7-30) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (7-1) to (7-29)
wherein the composition is a capsule. (7-31) A method for
administrating at least one self-emulsifying composition selected
from any one of the above (7-1) to (7-30) to human or a method for
using such composition in human. (7-32) A self-emulsifying
composition comprising at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters, lecithin, or an emulsifier which, when
administered to human, satisfies at least one of the (a) to (i)
calculated by conducting the correction by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration:
[0115] (a) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at
least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0116] (b) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the
administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL,
[0117] (c) the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours,
[0118] (d) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0119] (e) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is 5 to 100 .mu.g/mL,
[0120] (f) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration is at least
100 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0121] (g) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0122] (h) the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 10 .mu.g/mL, and
[0123] (i) the average .omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady
state is at least 30 .mu.g/mL.
(7-33) A self-emulsifying composition comprising at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as well as
lecithin and/or an emulsifier, which, when administered to human,
satisfies at least one of the (a) to (i) calculated by conducting
the correction by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
before the administration:
[0124] (a) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at
least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0125] (b) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the
administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL,
[0126] (c) the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours,
[0127] (d) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0128] (e) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is 5 to 100 .mu.g/mL,
[0129] (f) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration is at least
100 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0130] (g) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0131] (h) the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 10 .mu.g/mL, and
[0132] (i) the average .omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady
state is at least 30 .mu.g/mL.
(7-34) A self-emulsifying composition according to the above (7-33)
wherein the emulsifier is at least one member selected from
cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants,
and nonionic surfactants. (7-35) A self-emulsifying composition
according to the above (7-33) or (7-34) wherein the emulsifier or
the nonionic surfactant is a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid
ester. (7-36) A self-emulsifying composition comprising at least
one compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as well as
lecithin and/or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as an
emulsifier, which, when administered to human, satisfies at least
one of the (a) to (i) calculated by conducting the correction by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration:
[0133] (a) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at
least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0134] (b) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the
administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL,
[0135] (c) the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours,
[0136] (d) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0137] (e) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is 5 to 100 .mu.g/mL,
[0138] (f) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration is at least
100 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0139] (g) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0140] (h) the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 10 .mu.g/mL, and
[0141] (i) the average .omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady
state is at least 30 .mu.g/mL.
(7-37) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-33) to (7-36) wherein content of the at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters contained in the
composition to be administered to human is 500 mg to 10000 mg.
(7-38) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-33) to (7-37) wherein content of the at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters contained in the
composition to be administered to human is at least one amount
selected from 500 mg, 1000 mg, 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg, 4000 mg,
6000 mg, and 8000 mg. (7-39) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-38) wherein content
of the at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
contained in the composition to be administered to human is at
least one amount selected from 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg, and 4000
mg. (7-40) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of
the above (7-33) to (7-39) wherein the .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters contained in the
composition to be administered to human are at least one member
selected from the group consisting of EPA and its pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters. (7-41) A self-emulsifying composition
according to the above (7-40) wherein the EPA and its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters are ethyl ester of
EPA. (7-42) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of
the above (7-33) to (7-41) wherein, upon administration of the
composition, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by conducting the correction by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration is at least 50
.mu.g/mL and the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL. (7-43) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (7-33) to (7-42) wherein, upon administration
of the composition, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by conducting the correction by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration is at least 50
.mu.g/mL and the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after
the administration is 5 to 100 .mu.g/mL. (7-44) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-43)
wherein, upon administration of the composition, the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by conducting the correction
by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL and the time required to
reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to
6 hours. (7-45) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one
of the above (7-33) to (7-44) wherein, upon administration of the
composition, the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration calculated
by conducting the correction by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration before the administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL,
and the time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours. (7-46) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-45)
wherein, upon administration of the composition, the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by conducting the correction
by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL and the average .omega.3PUFA
plasma concentration in steady state is at least 30 .mu.g/mL.
(7-47) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-33) to (7-46) wherein, upon administration of the
composition, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by conducting the correction by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration is at least
three times as high as the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration immediately after the meal, or the area under the
curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours
after the administration is at least twice as large as the area
under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
immediately after the meal. (7-48) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-47) wherein the
composition contains lecithin and an emulsifier. (7-49) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(7-33) to (7-48) wherein the composition contains lecithin and a
nonionic surfactant as the emulsifier. (7-50) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-49)
wherein the composition contains lecithin and a polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester as the emulsifier. (7-51) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(7-33) to (7-50) wherein the composition contains lecithin and a
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as a nonionic surfactant.
(7-52) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-33) to (7-51) wherein the composition further contains
polyoxyethylene castor oil as the emulsifier. (7-53) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(7-33) to (7-52) wherein content of the emulsifier is 1 to 29% by
weight when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is
100% by weight. (7-54) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (7-33) to (7-53) wherein content of the
polyoxyethylene castor oil is up to 120 parts by weight in relation
to 100 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid
ester in the composition. (7-55) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-54) wherein the
composition is at least one member selected from the group
consisting of therapeutic agent for dyslipidemia
(hypercholesterolemia, hyper-LDL cholesterolemia, hyper-non-HDL
cholesterolemia, hyper-VLDL cholesterolemia, hypo-HDL
cholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-ApoB-emia,
hypo-ApoAl-emia, increased LDL particle number-emia, small LDL
particle size-emia, hyper-oxidized LDL-emia, hyper-small dense
LDL-emia, hyper-RLP-C-emia, hypo-apoA-I/ApoB ratio-emia,
hyper-ApoCIII-emia, dys-ApoE genotype-emia, hyper-lipoprotein
(a)-emia, hyper-Lp-PLA2-emia, hyper-CETP activity-emia,
hyper-hs-CRP-emia, hypo-EPA-emia (the state wherein EPA value in
plasma, serum, erythrocyte membrane, platelet membrane is low),
hyper-free fatty acidemia), hyper-fasting glucose-emia,
hyper-HbAlc-emia, hyper-HOMA-IR-emia, hyper-intercellular adhesion
molecule-1-emia, hyper-IL-6-emia, hyper-PAI-1-emia,
hypercreatininemia, hyper-AST-emia, hyper-ALT-emia, hyper-uric
acidemia, hyper-8-isoprostane-emia, hyper-TXA2-emia,
hyper-LTB2-emia, etc.), therapeutic agent for postprandial
hyperglycemia, antiarteriosclerotic agent, platelet aggregation
suppressive agent, therapeutic agent for peripheral circulatory
insufficiency, agent for preventing onset of cardiovascular events,
therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases (NAFLD, NASH, etc.),
anticancer agent, and preventive and therapeutic agents and
progression suppressant for central diseases (depression,
depressive state, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia,
panic disorder, etc.). (7-56) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-55) wherein the
composition containing at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters at an amount of 500 mg to 10000 mg is
administered once a day. (7-57) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-56) comprising at
least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and
esters, lecithin, and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester
and polyoxyethylene castor oil as emulsifiers wherein content of
the polyoxyethylene castor oil is up to 120 parts by weight in
relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan
fatty acid ester in the composition, and wherein, when the
composition is administered to human at an amount in terms of the
at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
of 500 mg to 10000 mg, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration calculated by conducting the correction by
subtracting plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL and the area under the curve
of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL. (7-58) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(7-33) to (7-57) wherein content of the at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is 70 to 90% by weight
when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight. (7-59) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one
of the above (7-33) to (7-58) wherein content of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of EPA and its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is 70 to 90% by weight
when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight. (7-60) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one
of the above (7-33) to (7-59) wherein content of the lecithin is 3
to 40 parts by weight or 1 to 25 parts by weight in relation to 100
parts by weight of the at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters. (7-61) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-60) wherein the
composition contains water. (7-62) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-61) wherein content
of the ethanol in the composition is up to 4% by weight of the
total weight of the composition.
[0142] f) the polyhydric alcohol is up to 4% by weight in the total
weight of the composition.
(7-63) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-33) to (7-62) wherein content of water in the composition
is 0.5 to 6% by weight of the total weight of the composition.
(7-64) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-33) to (7-63) comprising, when the total composition is
100% by weight,
[0143] a) 70 to 90% by weight of EPA-E,
[0144] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0145] c) 1 to 29% by weight of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester as the emulsifier, and
[0146] d) 3 to 40 parts by weight or 1 to 25 parts by weight of
lecithin in relation to 100 parts by weight of the EPA-E,
wherein
[0147] e) content of ethanol and/or polyhydric alcohol is up to 4%
by weight of the total composition.
(7-65) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (7-33) to (7-64) comprising, when the total composition is
100% by weight,
[0148] a) 70 to 90% by weight of at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters,
[0149] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0150] c) 1 to 29% by weight of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester and polyoxyethylene castor oil as emulsifiers, and
[0151] d) 1 to 25 parts by weight of lecithin in relation to 100
parts by weight of the at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters, wherein
[0152] e) content of ethanol and/or polyhydric alcohol is up to 4%
by weight of the total amount of the composition, and
[0153] f) content of polyoxyethylene castor oil is up to 120 parts
by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester in the composition;
[0154] the composition satisfying at least one of the (a) to (i) as
described below calculated by conducting the correction by
subtracting .omega.3PUFA concentration in plasma before the
administration, when the self-emulsifying composition is
administered once a day at an amount in terms of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters of one selected
from 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg, and 4000 mg:
[0155] (a) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at
least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0156] (b) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the
administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL,
[0157] (c) the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours,
[0158] (d) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0159] (e) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is 5 to 100 .mu.g/mL,
[0160] (f) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration is at least
100 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0161] (g) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0162] (h) the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 10 .mu.g/mL, and
[0163] (i) the average .omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady
state is at least 30 .mu.g/mL.
(7-66) A self-emulsifying composition according to the above (7-65)
wherein the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters is the EPA-E. (7-67) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (6-1) to (7-66) which
is substantially free from at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of DHA and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts
and esters. (7-68) A self-emulsifying composition according to any
one of the above (7-1) to (7-67) wherein content of the at least
one compound selected from the group consisting of DHA and its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is up to 1% by weight
of the total amount of the composition. (7-69) A method for
administering at least one self-emulsifying composition selected
from the above (7-33) to (7-68) to human or using such composition
in human. (7-70) A method for administering a self-emulsifying
composition comprising at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters as well as lecithin and/or a
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the emulsifier,
wherein the method satisfies at least one of the (a) to (i) as
described below calculated by conducting the correction by
subtracting .omega.3PUFA concentration in plasma before the
administration, when the self-emulsifying composition is
administered to human:
[0164] (a) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at
least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0165] (b) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the
administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL,
[0166] (c) the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours, and
[0167] (d) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0168] (e) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is 5 to 500 .mu.g/mL,
[0169] (f) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration is at least
100 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0170] (g) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0171] (h) the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 10 .mu.g/mL, and
[0172] (i) the average .omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady
state is at least 30 .mu.g/mL.
(7-71) A method for administering the self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (7-33) to (7-67) comprising, when
the total composition is 100% by weight,
[0173] a) 70 to 90% by weight of at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters,
[0174] b) 0.5 to 6% by weight of water,
[0175] c) 1 to 29% by weight of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester as the emulsifier, and
[0176] d) 3 to 40 parts by weight or 1 to 25 parts by weight of
lecithin in relation to 100 parts by weight of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters, wherein
[0177] e) content of ethanol and/or polyhydric alcohol is up to 4%
by weight of the total composition, the method satisfying at least
one of the (a) to (i) as described below calculated by conducting
the correction by subtracting .omega.3PUFA concentration in plasma
before the administration, when the self-emulsifying composition is
administered once a day at an amount in terms of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters of one selected
from 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg, and 4000 mg:
[0178] (a) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at
least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0179] (b) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the
administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL,
[0180] (c) the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration (Tmax) is up to 6 hours,
[0181] (d) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0182] (e) the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is 5 to 100 .mu.g/mL,
[0183] (f) the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration is at least
100 .mu.ghr/mL,
[0184] (g) the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
[0185] (h) the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady
state is at least 10 .mu.g/mL, and
[0186] (i) the average .omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady
state is at least 30 .mu.g/mL.
[0187] The eighth aspect of the present invention is the
self-emulsifying composition as described below.
(8-1) A self-emulsifying composition comprising at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as well as
lecithin and/or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the
emulsifier, wherein when the self-emulsifying composition is
administered at an amount in terms of .omega.3PUFA of 500 to 2500
mg (for example, 1800 mg, 2000 mg) to each individual, at least one
member selected from the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by correcting the value by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration, the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the administration, the
time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration, and the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is substantially the same as the corresponding value
obtained by administering 1800 mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA
immediately after the meal. (8-2) A self-emulsifying composition
comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting
of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and
esters as well as lecithin and/or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester as the emulsifier, wherein when the self-emulsifying
composition is administered at an amount in terms of .omega.3PUFA
of 500 to 2500 mg (for example, 1800 mg, 2000 mg) to each
individual, at least one value selected from the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting the value by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after
the administration, the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration, and the area under the curve of the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is 70 to 130% of the corresponding value obtained by
administering 1800 mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA (for example, Epadel
containing the EPA-E) immediately after the meal. (8-3) A
self-emulsifying composition comprising at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as well as lecithin
and/or an emulsifier, wherein when the self-emulsifying composition
is administered at an amount in terms of .omega.3PUFA of 500 to
2500 mg to each individual, at least one member selected from the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting
the value by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
before the administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2
hours after the administration, the time required to reach the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration, the area under the curve
of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration, the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration, maximum
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state, minimum
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state, and average
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state is substantially
the same as the corresponding value obtained by administering 1800
mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA immediately after the meal. (8-4) A
self-emulsifying composition comprising at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as well as lecithin
and/or an emulsifier, wherein when the self-emulsifying composition
is administered at an amount in terms of .omega.3PUFA of 500 to
10000 mg to each individual, at least one value selected from the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting
the value by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
before the administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2
hours after the administration, the time required to reach the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration, the area under the curve
of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration, the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration, maximum
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state, minimum
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state, and average
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state is 70 to 130% of
the corresponding value obtained by administering 1800 mg/day of
the .omega.3PUFA (for example, Epadel containing the EPA-E)
immediately after the meal. (8-5) A self-emulsifying composition
according to the above (8-3) or (8-4) wherein the emulsifier is at
least one member selected from cationic surfactant, anionic
surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, and nonionic surfactant. (8-6) A
self-emulsifying composition according to the above (8-5) wherein
the nonionic surfactant is a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid
ester. (8-7) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of
the above (8-1) to (8-6) wherein the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL. (8-8) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (8-1) to (8-7)
wherein the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the
administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL. (8-9) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (8-1) to (8-8)
wherein the time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration is up to 6 hours. (8-10) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (8-1) to (8-9)
wherein the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration is at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL. (8-11) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (8-3) to (8-10) wherein the area under the
curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 24 hours
after the administration is at least 100 .mu.ghr/mL. (8-12) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(8-3) to (8-11) wherein the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration in steady state is at least 50 .mu.ghr/mL. (8-13) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(8-3) to (8-12) wherein the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration in steady state is at least 10 .mu.ghr/mL. (8-14) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(8-3) to (8-13) wherein the average .omega.3PUFA plasma
concentration in steady state is at least 30 .mu.ghr/mL. (8-15) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(8-1) to (8-14) wherein the .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters administered are at least one member
selected from the group consisting of EPA and its pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters. (8-16) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (8-1) to (8-15) wherein content
of the at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
is 70 to 90% by weight when total amount of the self-emulsifying
composition is 100% by weight. (8-17) A self-emulsifying
composition according to the above (8-15) wherein the EPA and its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters are ethyl ester of
EPA. (8-18) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of
the above (8-1) to (8-17) wherein content of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of EPA and its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is 70 to 90% by weight
when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight. (8-19) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one
of the above (8-1) to (8-18) wherein the composition contains
lecithin and a nonionic surfactant as the emulsifier. (8-20) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(8-1) to (8-19) wherein the composition contains lecithin and a
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the emulsifier. (8-21)
A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(8-1) to (8-20) wherein the composition contains lecithin and a
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as a nonionic surfactant.
(8-22) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (8-1) to (8-21) wherein the composition further contains
polyoxyethylene castor oil as the emulsifier. (8-23) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(8-1) to (8-22) wherein content of the emulsifier is 1 to 29% by
weight when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is
100% by weight. (8-24) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (8-1) to (8-23) wherein content of the
polyoxyethylene castor oil is up to 120 parts by weight in relation
to 100 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid
ester in the composition. (8-25) A self-emulsifying composition
according to any one of the above (8-1) to (8-24) wherein the
composition is administered once a day. (8-26) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (8-1) to (8-25)
wherein the composition is administered under fasting, before the
meal, immediately after the meal, or after the meal. (8-27) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(8-1) to (8-26) comprising EPA-E, lecithin, and a polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene castor oil as
emulsifiers, wherein, when the self-emulsifying composition is
administered at an amount in terms of the .omega.3PUFA of 1800 mg
of 2000 mg to each individual once a day under fasting, at least
one member selected from the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration calculated by correcting the value by subtracting the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration, the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the administration,
the time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration, and the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is substantially the same as the corresponding value
obtained when the self-emulsifying composition is administered at a
daily dose in terms of the .omega.3PUFA of 1800 mg immediately
after the meal. (8-28) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (8-1) to (8-27) comprising EPA-E, lecithin,
and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene
castor oil as emulsifiers, wherein, when the self-emulsifying
composition is administered at an amount in terms of the
.omega.3PUFA of 1800 mg or 2000 mg to each individual once a day
under fasting, at least one member selected from the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting the value by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after
the administration, the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration, and the area under the curve of the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is 70 to 130% of the corresponding value obtained
when the self-emulsifying composition is administered at a daily
dose in terms of the .omega.3PUFA of 1800 mg immediately after the
meal. (8-29) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of
the above (8-1) to (8-28) comprising EPA-E, lecithin, and a
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene
castor oil as emulsifiers, wherein, when the self-emulsifying
composition is administered at an amount in terms of the
.omega.3PUFA of 500 mg to 1500 mg to each individual once a day
under fasting, at least one member selected from the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting the value by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after
the administration, the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration, and the area under the curve of the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is substantially the same as the corresponding value
obtained when the self-emulsifying composition is administered at a
daily dose in terms of the .omega.3PUFA of 1800 mg immediately
after the meal. (8-30) A self-emulsifying composition according to
any one of the above (8-1) to (8-29) comprising EPA-E, lecithin,
and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene
castor oil as emulsifiers, wherein, when the self-emulsifying
composition is administered at an amount in terms of the
.omega.3PUFA of 500 to 1500 mg to each individual once a day under
fasting, at least one value selected from the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting the value by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after
the administration, the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration, and the area under the curve of the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is 70 to 130% of the corresponding value obtained
when the self-emulsifying composition is administered at a daily
dose in terms of the .omega.3PUFA of 1800 mg immediately after the
meal.
[0188] The ninth aspect of the present invention is the method as
described below.
(9-1) A method for increasing the blood .omega.3PUFA concentration
wherein at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
is administered in combination with lecithin. (9-2) A method for
increasing the blood concentration according to the above (9-1)
wherein the .omega.3PUFA is administered at least 500 mg/day. (9-3)
A method for increasing the blood concentration according to the
above (9-1) or (9-2) wherein polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid
ester is administered in combination. (9-4) A method for increasing
the blood concentration according to any one of the above (9-1) to
(9-3) wherein polyoxyethylene castor oil is administered in
combination. (9-5) A method for increasing the blood concentration
according to any one of the above (9-1) to (9-4) wherein the
emulsifier is administered in combination at an amount of 5 to 45
parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the
.omega.3PUFA. (9-6) A method for increasing the blood concentration
according to the above (9-4) or (9-5) wherein the polyoxyethylene
castor oil is administered at an amount of up to 120 parts by
weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester. (9-7) A method for increasing the blood
concentration according to any one of the above (9-1) to (9-6)
wherein the lecithin is administered in combination at an amount of
1 to 25 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the
.omega.3PUFA. (9-8) A method for increasing the blood concentration
according to any one of the above (9-1) to (9-7) wherein the
.omega.3PUFA is administered once day. (9-9) A method for
increasing the blood concentration according to any one of the
above (9-1) to (9-8) wherein the .omega.3PUFA is administered under
fasting, before the meal, immediately after the meal, or after the
meal. (9-10) A method for increasing the blood concentration
according to any one of the above (9-1) to (9-9) wherein, when the
composition is administered at an amount in terms of the
.omega.3PUFA of 500 to 10000 mg (for example, 1800 mg, 2000 mg) to
each individual once a day under fasting, before the meal,
immediately after the meal, or after the meal, at least one member
selected from the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by correcting the value by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration, the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the administration, the
time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration, and the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is substantially the same as the corresponding value
obtained by administering 1800 mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA
immediately after the meal. (9-11) A method for increasing the
blood concentration according to any one of the above (9-1) to
(9-10) wherein, when the composition is administered at an amount
in terms of the .omega.3PUFA of 500 to 10000 mg (for example, 1800
mg, 2000 mg) to each individual once a day under fasting, before
the meal, immediately after the meal, or after the meal, at least
one value selected from the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration calculated by correcting the value by subtracting the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration, the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the administration,
the time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration, and the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is 70 to 130% of the corresponding value obtained by
administering 1800 mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA (for example, Epadel
containing the EPA-E) immediately after the meal. (9-12) A method
for increasing the blood concentration according to any one of the
above (9-1) to (9-9) wherein, when the composition is administered
at an amount in terms of the .omega.3PUFA of 500 to 10000 mg (for
example, 1800 mg, 2000 mg) to each individual once a day under
fasting, before the meal, immediately after the meal, or after the
meal, at least one value selected from the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting the value by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after
the administration, the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration, the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration, the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration, maximum
plasma concentration in steady state, minimum plasma concentration
in steady state, and average plasma concentration in steady state
is substantially the same as the corresponding value obtained by
administering 1800 mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA immediately after the
meal. (9-13) A method for increasing the blood concentration
according to any one of the above (9-1) to (9-9) wherein, when the
composition is administered at an amount in terms of the
.omega.3PUFA of 500 to 10000 mg (for example, 1800 mg, 2000 mg) to
each individual once a day under fasting, before the meal,
immediately after the meal, or after the meal, at least one value
selected from the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by correcting the value by subtracting the blood
.omega.3 concentration before the administration, the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the administration, the
time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration, the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the administration, the area
under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 24
hours after the administration, maximum plasma concentration in
steady state, minimum plasma concentration in steady state, and
average plasma concentration in steady state is 70 to 130% of the
corresponding value obtained by administering 1800 mg/day of the
.omega.3PUFA (for example, Epadel containing the EPA-E) immediately
after the meal. (9-14) A method for increasing the blood
concentration according to the above (9-1) to (9-13) wherein the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL.
(9-15) A method for increasing the blood concentration according to
any one of the above (9-1) to (9-14) wherein the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the administration is at
least 20 .mu.g/mL. (9-16) A method for increasing the blood
concentration according to the above (9-1) to (9-15) wherein the
time required to reach the maximum plasma concentration is up to 6
hours. (9-17) A method for increasing the blood concentration
according to any one of the above (9-1) to (9-16) wherein the area
under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72
hours after the administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL. (9-18) A
method for increasing the blood concentration according to any one
of the above (9-1) to (9-17) wherein the area under the curve of
the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the
administration is at least 100 .mu.ghr/mL. (9-19) A method for
increasing the blood concentration according to any one of the
above (9-1) to (9-18) wherein the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration in steady state is at least 50 .mu.ghr/mL. (9-20) A
method for increasing the blood concentration according to any one
of the above (9-1) to (9-19) wherein the minimum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration in steady state is at least 10
.mu.ghr/mL. (9-21) A method for increasing the blood concentration
according to any one of the above (9-1) to (9-20) wherein the
average .omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state is at
least 30 .mu.ghr/mL.
[0189] The tenth aspect of the present invention is the method as
described below.
(10-1) A method for reducing the side effects of .omega.3PUFA
wherein at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
and lecithin are administered in combination. (10-2) A method for
reducing the side effects according to the above (10-1) wherein the
.omega.3PUFA is administered at an individual daily dose of 1800 mg
or 2000 mg. (10-3) A method for reducing the side effects according
to the above (10-1) or (10-2) wherein the .omega.3PUFA is
administered at an individual daily dose of 3600 mg or 4000 mg.
(10-4) A method for reducing the side effects according to the
above (10-1) wherein the .omega.3PUFA is administered at an
individual daily dose of at least 4000 mg. (10-5) A method for
reducing the side effects according to any one of the above (10-1)
to (10-4) wherein a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester is
further administered in combination. (10-6) A method for reducing
the side effects according to any one of the above (10-1) to (10-5)
wherein polyoxyethylene castor oil is further administered in
combination. (10-7) A method for reducing the side effects
according to any one of the above (10-1) to (10-6) wherein 5 to 45
parts by weight of the emulsifier is administered in combination in
relation to 100 parts by weight of the .omega.3PUFA. (10-8) A
method for reducing the side effects according to the above (10-7)
wherein up to 120 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene castor oil
is administered in combination in relation to 100 parts by weight
of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester. (10-9) A method
for reducing the side effects according to any one of the above
(10-1) to (10-8) wherein 1 to 25 parts by weight of lecithin is
administered in combination with 100 parts by weight of the
.omega.3PUFA. (10-10) A method for reducing the side effects
according to any one of the above (10-1) to (10-9) wherein the
.omega.3PUFA is administered once a day. (10-11) A method for
reducing the side effects according to any one of the above (10-1)
to (10-10) wherein the .omega.3PUFA is administered under fasting,
before the meal, immediately after the meal, or after the meal.
(10-12) A method for reducing the side effects according to any one
of the above (10-1) to (10-11) wherein, when the .omega.3PUFA is
administered at an individual dose of 500 to 10000 mg (for example,
1800 mg, 2000 mg) once a day under fasting, before the meal,
immediately after the meal, or after the meal, at least one member
selected from the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
calculated by correcting the value by subtracting the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration, the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the administration, the
time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration, and the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is substantially the same as the corresponding value
obtained by administering 1800 mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA
immediately after the meal. (10-13) A method for reducing the side
effects according to any one of the above (10-1) to (10-12)
wherein, when the .omega.3PUFA is administered at an individual
dose of 500 to 10000 mg (for example, 1800 mg, 2000 mg) under
fasting, before the meal, immediately after the meal, or after the
meal, at least one value selected from the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting the value by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after
the administration, the time required to reach the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration, and the area under the curve of the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is 70 to 130% of the corresponding value obtained by
administering 1800 mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA (for example, Epadel
containing the EPA-E) immediately after the meal. (10-14) A method
for reducing the side effects according to any one of the above
(10-1) to (10-13) wherein, when the .omega.3PUFA is administered at
an individual dose of 500 to 10000 mg (for example, 1800 mg, 2000
mg) once a day under fasting, before the meal, immediately after
the meal, or after the meal, at least one value selected from the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting
the value by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
before the administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2
hours after the administration, the time required to reach the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration, the area under the curve
of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration, the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration, maximum
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state, minimum
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state, and average
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state is substantially
the same as the corresponding value obtained by administering 1800
mg/day of the .omega.3PUFA immediately after the meal. (10-15) A
method for reducing the side effects according to any one of the
above (10-1) to (10-14) wherein, when the .omega.3PUFA is
administered at an individual dose of 500 to 10000 mg (for example,
1800 mg, 2000 mg) under fasting, before the meal, immediately after
the meal, or after the meal, at least one value selected from the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration calculated by correcting
the value by subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
before the administration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2
hours after the administration, the time required to reach the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration, the area under the curve
of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration, the area under the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the administration, maximum
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state, minimum
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state, and average
.omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in steady state is 70 to 130% of
the corresponding value obtained by administering 1800 mg/day of
the .omega.3PUFA (for example, Epadel containing the EPA-E)
immediately after the meal. (10-16) A method for reducing the side
effects according to the above (10-1) to (10-15) wherein the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL.
(10-17) A method for reducing the side effects according to any one
of the above (10-1) to (10-16) wherein the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration 2 hours after the administration is at least 20
.mu.g/mL. (10-18) A method for reducing the side effects according
to the above (10-1) to (10-17) wherein the time required to reach
the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is up to 6 hours.
(10-19) A method for reducing the side effects according to any one
of the above (10-1) to (10-18) wherein the area under the curve of
the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL. (10-20) A method for
reducing the side effects according to any one of the above (10-1)
to (10-19) wherein the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 24 hours after the
administration is at least 100 .mu.ghr/mL. (10-21) A method for
reducing the side effects according to any one of the above (10-1)
to (10-20) wherein the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in
steady state is at least 50 .mu.ghr/mL. (10-22) A method for
reducing the side effects according to any one of the above (10-1)
to (10-21) wherein the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in
steady state is at least 10 .mu.ghr/mL. (10-23) A method for
reducing the side effects according to any one of the above (10-1)
to (10-22) wherein the average .omega.3PUFA plasma concentration in
steady state is at least 30 .mu.ghr/mL.
[0190] The eleventh aspect of the present invention is the
self-emulsifying composition or the method as described below.
(11-1) A self-emulsifying composition or its administration method
wherein, when the composition comprising at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters, as well as lecithin
and/or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the
emulsifier, is administered at an individual dose of 500 to 10000
mg in terms of the .omega.3PUFA, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration under fasting calculated by correcting the value by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration is 70 to 130% of the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration immediately after the meal. (11-2) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method wherein, when the
composition comprising at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts and esters, as well as lecithin and/or an
emulsifier, is administered at an individual dose of 500 to 10000
mg in terms of the .omega.3PUFA, the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration under fasting calculated by correcting the value by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration is 70 to 130% of the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration immediately after the meal. (11-3) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to the above
(11-1) or (11-2) wherein the emulsifier is at least one member
selected from cationic surfactant, anionic surfactant, amphoteric
surfactant, and nonionic surfactant. (11-4) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to the above
(11-3) wherein the nonionic surfactant is a polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester. (11-5) A self-emulsifying composition or
its administration method according to any one of the above (11-1)
to (11-4) wherein the composition is administered once a day.
(11-6) A self-emulsifying composition or its administration method
according to any one of the above (11-1) to (11-5) wherein the
composition is administered under fasting, before the meal,
immediately after the meal, or after the meal. (11-7) A
self-emulsifying composition or its administration method according
to the above (11-1) to (11-6) wherein the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL. (11-8) A
self-emulsifying composition or its administration method according
to any one of the above (11-1) to (11-7) wherein the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours after the administration is at
least 20 .mu.g/mL. (11-9) A self-emulsifying composition or its
administration method according to the above (11-1) to (11-8)
wherein the time required to reach the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration is up to 6 hours. (11-10) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to any one of
the above (11-1) to (11-9) wherein the area under the curve of the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL. (11-11) A
self-emulsifying composition or its administration method according
to any one of the above (11-1) to (11-10) wherein the area under
the curve of the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 24 hours
after the administration is at least 100 .mu.ghr/mL. (11-12) A
self-emulsifying composition or its administration method according
to any one of the above (11-1) to (11-11) wherein the maximum
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in steady state is at least 50
.mu.ghr/mL. (11-13) A self-emulsifying composition or its
administration method according to any one of the above (11-1) to
(11-12) wherein the minimum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration in
steady state is at least 10 .mu.ghr/mL. (11-14) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to any one of
the above (11-1) to (11-13) wherein the average .omega.3PUFA plasma
concentration in steady state is at least 30 .mu.ghr/mL. (11-15) A
self-emulsifying composition or its administration method according
to any one of the above (11-1) to (11-14) wherein the .omega.3PUFA
and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters administered
are at least one member selected from the group consisting of EPA
and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters. (11-16) A
self-emulsifying composition or its administration method according
to any one of the above (11-1) to (11-15) wherein content of the at
least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
is 70 to 90% by weight when total amount of the self-emulsifying
composition is 100% by weight. (11-17) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to the above
(11-15) wherein the EPA and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts
and esters are ethyl ester of EPA. (11-18) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to any one of
the above (11-1) to (11-17) wherein content of the at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of EPA and its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is 70 to 90% by weight
when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight. (11-19) A self-emulsifying composition or its
administration method according to any one of the above (11-1) to
(11-18) wherein the composition contains lecithin and a nonionic
surfactant as the emulsifier. (11-20) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to any one of
the above (11-1) to (11-19) wherein the composition contains
lecithin and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the
emulsifier. (11-21) A self-emulsifying composition or its
administration method according to any one of the above (11-1) to
(11-20) wherein the composition contains lecithin and a
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the nonionic
surfactant. (11-22) A self-emulsifying composition or its
administration method according to any one of the above (11-1) to
(11-21) wherein the composition further contains polyoxyethylene
castor oil as the emulsifier. (11-23) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to any one of
the above (11-1) to (11-22) wherein content of the emulsifier is 1
to 29% by weight when total amount of the self-emulsifying
composition is 100% by weight. (11-24) A self-emulsifying
composition or its administration method according to any one of
the above (11-1) to (11-23) wherein content of the polyoxyethylene
castor oil is up to 120 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by
weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in the
composition.
[0191] The twelfth aspect of the present invention is the
self-emulsifying composition as described below.
(12-1) A self-emulsifying composition containing at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and
their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as well as
lecithin and/or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as an
emulsifier, wherein maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
determined by administering the composition containing 3600
mg/individual of .omega.3PUFA and conducting the correction by
subtracting the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the
administration is at least 1.2 times as high as the maximum plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration determined by administering the
composition containing 1800 mg/individual of .omega.3PUFA. (12-2) A
self-emulsifying composition containing at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters as well as lecithin
and/or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as an
emulsifier, wherein maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration
determined by administering the composition containing 4000 mg of
.omega.3PUFA and conducting the correction by subtracting the
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration before the administration is at
least 1.2 times as high as the maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration determined by administering the composition
containing 2000 mg of .omega.3PUFA. (12-3) A self-emulsifying
composition according to the above (12-1) or (12-2) wherein the
maximum plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is at least 50 .mu.g/mL.
(12-4) A self-emulsifying composition according to the above (12-1)
to (12-3) wherein the plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration 2 hours
after the administration is at least 20 .mu.g/mL. (12-5)
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(12-1) to (12-4) wherein the time required to reach the maximum
plasma .omega.3PUFA concentration is up to 6 hours. (12-6) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of to the above
(12-1) to (12-5) wherein the area under the curve of the plasma
.omega.3PUFA concentration at 0 to 72 hours after the
administration is at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL. (12-7) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(12-1) to (12-6) wherein the .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters administered are at
least one member selected from the group consisting of EPA and its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters. (12-8) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of to the above
(12-1) to (12-7) wherein content of the at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters is 70 to 90% by weight
when total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight. (12-9) A self-emulsifying composition according to the
above (12-8) wherein EPA and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts
and esters are ethyl ester of EPA. (12-10) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (12-1) to (12-9)
wherein content of the at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of EPA and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts
and esters is 70 to 90% by weight when total amount of the
self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight. (12-11) A
self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the above
(12-1) to (12-10) wherein the composition contains lecithin and
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the emulsifier.
(12-12) A self-emulsifying composition according to the above
(12-1) to (12-11) wherein the composition further contains
polyoxyethylene castor oil as the emulsifier. (12-13) A
self-emulsifying composition according to the above (12-1) to
(12-12) wherein content of the polyoxyethylene castor oil is up to
120 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in the composition.
(12-14) A self-emulsifying composition according to any one of the
above (12-1) to (12-13) wherein the content of the emulsifier is 1
to 29% by weight when total amount of the self-emulsifying
composition is 100% by weight. (12-15) A self-emulsifying
composition according to any one of the above (12-1) to (12-14)
wherein content of the lecithin is 3 to 40 parts by weight or 1 to
25 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the at
least one compound selected from the group consisting of
.omega.3PUFA and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and
esters.
[0192] The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an
emulsion preparation prepared by dispersing the self-emulsifying
composition in an aqueous solution as described below.
(13-1) An emulsion preparation containing at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of .omega.3PUFA and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters, as well as lecithin
and/or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as an
emulsifier
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0193] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
contains a small amount of water instead of the ethanol and the
polyhydric alcohol in its composition. Compatibility of the
composition improves by such composition, and amount of the
emulsifier used can also be reduced, and accordingly, safety for
animals (including human) is thereby improved. In addition, the
.omega.3 PUFA will be included at a higher content, and this
enables reduction in the amount of emulsifier used, and compliance
is thereby improved.
[0194] Inclusion of the water in the composition also enables a
composition without or with minimized use of the ethanol or the
polyhydric alcohols, and hence, prevention of the softening of the
capsule film, and deformation of the capsule. A preparation with
minimized use of the ethanol and the polyhydric alcohols can also
be obtained. A preparation which is excellent in drug compliance or
drug adherence can also be obtained.
[0195] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is
excellent in at least one of compatibility (appearance),
self-emulsifying property, dispersibility of the composition,
emulsion stability, and absorbability, is rapidly absorbed even if
administered before the meal or after the low-fat meal to thereby
suppress an increase in the serum TG after the meal, increases the
.omega.3PUFA concentration in blood (the term "in blood" means "in
whole blood, plasma, or serum" and this also applies to the
following description), or is administered before going to bed to
thereby prevent essential fatty acid deficiency upon administration
of the lipase inhibitor.
[0196] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
reduces the amount of the .omega.3PUFA that is not absorbed and
then egested after administration, enhances tissue migration
properties of the .omega.3PUFA, increases the uptake of
.omega.3PUFA into phospholipid in blood, or alternatively decreases
arachidonic acid in blood and/or improves the EPA/AA ratio.
[0197] The self-emulsifying composition enables not only the
storage at room temperature but also the storage under the
conditions of low temperature (for example, 5.degree. C.) and high
temperature (for example, 40.degree. C.) without causing separation
or cloudiness of the composition, namely, with good appearance. The
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is also
excellent in at least one of self-emulsifying property,
dispersibility of the composition, emulsion stability, and
absorbability.
[0198] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
has storage stability at at least one of room temperature, low
temperature and high temperature, has storage stability at at least
one specific temperature selected from the temperature of from, for
example, 5.degree. C. to 40.degree. C., does not change the
parameters to cause stable quality as a pharmaceutical product to
deteriorate if stored in at at least one of room temperature, low
temperature and high temperature, or does not change the parameters
to cause stable quality as a pharmaceutical product to deteriorate
if stored at at least one specific temperature selected from the
temperature of from, for example, 5.degree. C. to 40.degree. C.
[0199] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention as
above enables a preparation with improved absorption of the
.omega.3PUFA, the same pharmacokinetics as the conventional
pharmacokinetics in the administration of the .omega.3PUFA
preparation immediately after the meal even if administered at a
smaller dose of the .omega.3PUFA, or absorption of the .omega.3PUFA
not or little affected by the meal.
[0200] The self-emulsifying composition exhibits good absorption of
the .omega.3PUFA irrespective of timing of the administration
whether the administration is carried out in the fasting, before
the meal, or after the low-fat meal, and the limitation for the
administration timing is reduced compared to conventional
.omega.3PUFA preparations (for example, Epadel and Lotriga) that
requires the administration immediately after the meal, and
absorption efficiency was not affected by the meal.
[0201] The self-emulsifying composition exhibits high absorption,
and therefore, it has high therapeutic effects, and the amount of
the .omega.3PUFA required for the treatment can be reduced.
[0202] When the .omega.3PUFA is administered at a high dose (for
example, 4000 mg/day/individual) to gain high therapeutic effects,
the excessive .omega.3PUFA that is not absorbed by human remains in
the intestinal tract, and side effects of lower gastrointestinal
tract and the like were thereby induced. In contrast, since the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is highly
absorbable, and remaining .omega.3PUFA staying in the intestinal
tract can be reduced or eliminated, the side effects will be
reduced. In addition, since the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention is absorbable even in the administration of the
dose at which sole administration of the .omega.3PUFA would result
in the saturation of the blood concentration, the blood
concentration can be increased beyond the blood concentration in
the sole administration of the .omega.3PUFA.
[0203] By administration, the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention is capable of improving (reducing) at least one
parameter selected from TG, T-cho, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, VLDL-C,
VLDL-TG, oxidized LDL, small dense LDL, RLP-C, ApoB, ApoCIII,
lipoprotein (a), Lp-PLA2, CETP activity, hs-CRP, plasma
phospholipid, free fatty acid, fasting blood glucose, HbAlc,
HOMA-IR, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, IL-6, PAI-1,
creatinine, AST, ALT, uric acid, 8-isoprostane, TXA2 and LTB2 and
the metabolites thereof (HETE), and the like. The self-emulsifying
composition of the present invention is also capable of improving
(increasing) at least one parameter selected from HDL-C, apoA-I,
apoA-I/ApoB ratio, EPA in the plasma, serum, erythrocyte membrane
or platelet membrane. The self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention is also capable of reducing the number of LDL
particles, increasing LDL particle size, and improving at least one
parameter selected from ApoE genotype abnormality, hemoglobin
abnormality, hematocrit abnormality, thrombocyte abnormality, and
the like.
[0204] In the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention, the composition has stable quality. The self-emulsifying
composition of the present invention has storage stability
immediately after its production or for any long period of, for
example, three or five years after its production, or does not
change the parameters to cause stable quality as a pharmaceutical
product to deteriorate immediately after its production or if
stored for any long period of, for example, three or five years
after its production.
[0205] The present invention can provide an emulsion with improved
absorption of the .omega.3PUFA in the composition, a
self-emulsifying composition for enabling quick production of the
emulsion, and a method for producing the emulsion.
[0206] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
has at least one, preferably at least two, and more preferably all
of the preferable features as described above.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0207] Next, the present invention is described in detail.
[0208] The present invention relates to a self-emulsifying
composition comprising 70 to 90% by weight in total of at least one
compound selected from the group consisting of .omega.3
polyunsaturated fatty acid, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts,
and its esters, 1 to 29% by weight of a particular emulsifying
agent, and 3 to 40 parts by weight or 1 to 25 parts by weight of
lecithin in relation to 100 parts by weight of the .omega.3
polyunsaturated fatty acid, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt,
or ester, wherein the composition has low or no content of ethanol
or polyhydric alcohol. The present invention also relates to a
self-emulsifying preparation having such self-emulsifying
composition encapsulated therein, and a pharmaceutical product, a
production method, and a method of use thereof.
[0209] In the present invention, ".omega.3 PUFA" is a fatty acid
having a plurality of carbon-carbon double bonds in the molecule,
and the first double bond is at 3rd position from the end on the
side of the methyl group. Typical examples include
.alpha.-linolenic acid, EPA, DHA, eicosatrienoic acid, stearidonic
acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, clupanodonic acid, tetracosapentaenoic
acid, and nisinic acid. Unless otherwise noted, the terms ".omega.3
PUFA", "EPAs", "DHAs", and "fatty acids" as used in the present
invention mean not only an .omega.3 PUFA, an EPA, a DHA, and a
fatty acid but also pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters
thereof.
[0210] The .omega.3 PUFA used in the present invention may be a
synthetic, semi-synthetic, natural .omega.3 PUFA, or a natural oil
containing such .omega.3 PUFA. Examples of the natural .omega.3
PUFA include an extract from a natural oil containing an .omega.3
PUFA, a crudely purified natural oil containing an .omega.3 PUFA,
and a highly purified natural oil containing an .omega.3 PUFA
produced by a method known in the art. Exemplary semi-synthetic
.omega.3 PUFAs include .omega.3 PUFAs produced by a microorganism
or the like and the .omega.3 PUFAs or the natural .omega.3 PUFAs
which have been subjected to a chemical treatment such as
esterification or ester exchange. In the present invention, the
.omega.3 PUFAs may be used alone or in combination of two or
more.
[0211] In the present invention, EPAs and DHAs are the preferable
examples of the .omega.3 PUFAs, and EPAs are more preferable.
Examples of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the .omega.3
PUFA include inorganic salts such as sodium salts and potassium
salts, organic salts such as benzylamine salts and diethylamine
salts, salts with basic amino acids such as arginine salts and
lysine salts, and exemplary esters include alkyl esters such as
ethyl ester, and esters such as monoglyceride (MG), diglyceride
(DG) and triglyceride (TG). Preferable examples include ethyl ester
and TG ester, and the more preferred is ethyl ester. More
specifically, preferable examples include EPA-E, TG ester of EPA,
DHA-E, and TG ester of DHA, and among these, the more preferred are
EPA-E and DHA-E, and the most preferred is EPA-E.
[0212] The .omega.3 PUFA used for the starting material of the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is not
particularly limited for its purity. The purity is typically such
that content of the .omega.3 PUFAs in the total fatty acids of the
composition of the present invention could be preferably at least
50% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, still more
preferably at least 80% by weight, still more preferably at least
90% by weight, still more preferably at least 96.5% by weight, and
most preferably at least 98% by weight. The .omega.3 PUFAs
containing the EPAs at a high purity, for example, the one with the
EPAs content of at least 50% by weight in relation to the .omega.3
PUFAs is preferable, and the content is more preferably at least
60% by weight, still more preferably at least 70% by weight, still
more preferably at least 80% by weight, still more preferably at
least 90% by weight, and most preferably at least 98% by weight. In
other words, the composition of the present invention preferably
has a high purity of .omega.3 PUFAs in the total fatty acid, more
preferably, a high purity of EPAs and DHAs which are .omega.3
PUFAs, and most preferably an EPA purity with substantially no DHA
or with the DHA of, for example less than 1.0% by weight,
preferably less than 0.5% by weight, and more preferably less than
0.2% by weight
[0213] For example, when EPA-E and DHA-E are used, compositional
ratio of EPA-E/DHA-E and content of (EPA-E+DHA-E) in relation to
total fatty acid are not particularly limited as long as the purity
of EPA-E in the composition of the present invention is in the
range as described above. However, the compositional ratio of the
EPA-E/DHA-E is preferably at least 0.8, more preferably at least
1.0, and most preferably at least 1.2.
[0214] The composition of the present invention may also contain a
polyunsaturated fatty acid other than the .omega.3 PUFA such as
linoleic acid, .gamma. linolenic acid, or dihomo-.gamma.-linolenic
acid or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
However, content of arachidonic acid or the pharmaceutically
acceptable salt or ester thereof is preferably low, more preferably
less than 2% by weight, still more preferably less than 1% by
weight, and most preferably, the composition is substantially free
from the arachidonic acid or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt
or ester thereof.
[0215] In the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention, content of the .omega.3 PUFA is 50 to 95% by weight, 60
to 92% by weight, 70 to 90% by weight, and preferably 70 to 86% by
weight, more preferably 72 to 85% by weight, and still more
preferably 74 to 84% by weight. The .omega.3PUFAs used may comprise
a single compound or a mixture of two or more compounds. In the
case of the mixture of two or more compounds, total content of the
mixture is 70 to 90% by weight of the self-emulsifying
composition.
[0216] The .omega.3 PUFA used may be a soft capsule containing the
EPA-E at a high purity (at least 96.5% by weight) (product name,
Epadel; manufactured by Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
commercially available in Japan as a therapeutic agent for ASO and
hyperlipidemia or a high purity EPA-E containing capsule (product
name, VASCEPA; Amarin) commercially available in the U.S. as a
therapeutic agent for hypertriglyceridemia. The .omega.3 PUFA used
may also be a mixture of EPA-E and DHA-E, for example, Lovaza
(Registered Trademark) (a soft capsule containing about 46.5% by
weight of EPA-E and about 37.5% by weight of DHA-E from
GlaxoSmithKline) commercially available in the U.S. as a
therapeutic agent for hypertriglyceridemia or LOTRIGA (Registered
Trademark) (a soft capsule containing about 46.5% by weight of
EPA-E and about 37.5% by weight of DHA-E from Takeda Pharmaceutical
Co., Ltd.) commercially available in Japan. The mixture of EPA and
DHA used may be, for example, EPANOVA (Registered Trademark) (a
soft capsule containing about 50 to 60% by weight of EPA free acid
and about 15 to 25% by weight of DHA free acid from AstraZeneca)
commercially available in the U.S. as a therapeutic agent for
hypertriglyceridemia.
[0217] Purified fish oils may also be used for the .omega.3 PUFA,
and uses of monoglyceride (MG), diglyceride (DG), and TG
derivatives and combinations thereof as the .omega.3 PUFA are also
preferable embodiments. Various products containing the .omega.3
PUFA are commercially available, for example, Incromega F2250,
F2628, E2251, F2573, TG2162, TG2779, TG2928, TG3525, and E5015
(Croda International PLC, Yorkshire, England), and EPAX6000FA,
EPAX5000TG, EPAX4510TG, EPAX2050TG, EPAX7010EE, K85TG, K85EE, and
K80EE (Pronova Biopharma, Lysaker, Norway). These products may be
purchased and used for the composition of the present
invention.
[0218] In the present invention, the "polyoxyethylene sorbitan
fatty acid ester" is polyoxyethylene ether of a fatty acid ester
wherein a part of the hydroxy groups of anhydrous sorbitol have
been esterified with a fatty acid. Various compounds with different
esterifying fatty acids are commercially available, and examples
include polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (NIKKOL TL-10,
polysorbate 20, Tween 20), polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan
monopalmitate (NIKKOL TP-10V, Polysorbate 40, Tween 40),
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate (NIKKOL TS-10MV,
polysorbate 60, Tween 60), polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan
tristearate (NIKKOL TS-30V, polysorbate 65), polyoxyethylene (20)
sorbitan monoisostearate (NIKKOL TI-10V), polyoxyethylene (20)
sorbitan monooleate (NIKKOL TO-10MV, polysorbate 80, Tween 80), and
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate (NIKKOL TO-30V, polysorbate
85), and the preferred are polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan
monooleate, and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate, and the
more preferred is polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate.
[0219] These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The term "polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester" as used in the
present invention means all of such compounds.
[0220] Content of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in
the self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is not
particularly limited as long as the merits of the present invention
are not adversely affected. The content is generally 1 to 29% by
weight, preferably 3 to 20% by weight, more preferably 5 to 15% by
weight, and most preferably 5 to 9% by weight when the total amount
of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight.
[0221] In the present invention, the "polyoxyethylene castor oil"
is a compound prepared by addition polymerization of ethylene oxide
to castor oil. Various compounds with different average ethylene
oxide mole numbers are commercially available, and examples include
NIKKOL CO-3 (Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.) with an average ethylene
oxide mole number of 3, NIKKOL CO-10 (Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.)
with an average ethylene oxide mole number of 10, EMALEX C-20
(Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd.) with an average ethylene oxide mole
number of 20, EMALEX C-30 (Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd.) with an
average ethylene oxide mole number of 30, Kolliphor EL (BASF)
(polyoxyl 35 castor oil) with an average ethylene oxide mole number
of 35, EMALEX C-40 (Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd.) with an average
ethylene oxide mole number of 40, and EMALEX C-50 (Nippon Emulsion
Co., Ltd.) with an average ethylene oxide mole number of 50, and
the preferred is Kolliphor EL. These may be used alone or in
combination of two or more. The term "polyoxyethylene castor oil"
as used in the present invention means all of such compounds unless
otherwise noted.
[0222] Content of the polyoxyethylene castor oil in the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is not
particularly limited in the present invention as long as the merits
of the present invention are not adversely affected. The content is
generally 1 to 20% by weight, preferably 2 to 15% by weight, more
preferably 3 to 10% by weight, and most preferably 5 to 9% by
weight when the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is
100% by weight. The content of the polyoxyethylene castor oil in
relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan
fatty acid ester in the composition is preferably up to 150 parts
by weight, preferably up to 140 parts by weight, more preferably up
to 130 parts by weight, still more preferably up to 120 parts by
weight, particularly preferably up to 110 parts by weight, and most
preferably up to 100 parts by weight. The polyoxyethylene sorbitan
fatty acid ester and the polyoxyethylene castor oil are preferably
incorporated so that content ratio of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan
fatty acid ester to the polyoxyethylene castor oil in the
composition is 100 parts by weight:5 to 150 parts by weight,
preferably 100 parts by weight:10 to up to 140 parts by weight,
more preferably 100 parts by weight:20 to up to 130 parts by weight
and still more preferably 100 parts by weight:30 to 120 parts by
weight, still more preferably 100 parts by weight:50 to 110 parts
by weight, and most preferably 100 parts by weight:80 to 120 parts
by weight.
[0223] In the present invention, the "polyoxyethylene hydrogenated
castor oil" is a compound prepared by hydrogenating castor oil with
hydrogen, and subjecting the resulting hydrogenated castor oil to
addition polymerization with ethylene oxide. Various compounds
having different average degrees of polymerization of ethylene
oxide are commercially available, and examples include
polyoxyethylene (20) hydrogenated castor oil (NIKKOL HCO-20, Nikko
Chemicals Co., Ltd.), polyoxyethylene (40) hydrogenated castor oil
(NIKKOL HCO-40, Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.), polyoxyethylene (50)
hydrogenated castor oil (NIKKOL HCO-50, Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.),
polyoxyethylene (60) hydrogenated castor oil (NIKKOL HCO-60, Nikko
Chemicals Co., Ltd.), and polyoxyethylene (100) hydrogenated castor
oil (NIKKOL HCO-100, Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.), and the preferred
is, for example, polyoxyethylene (60) hydrogenated castor oil.
These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Unless
otherwise noted, the term "polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil"
of the present invention includes all of such compounds.
[0224] Content of the polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil in
the self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is not
particularly limited as long as the intended merits of the present
invention is realized. The content, however, is generally 1 to 20%
by weight, preferably 2 to 15% by weight, more preferably 3 to 10%
by weight, and most preferably 5 to 9% by weight when the total
amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight. In
addition, the polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil is preferably
incorporated in the composition at a proportion in relation to 100
parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester of
up to 150 parts by weight, preferably up to 140 parts by weight,
more preferably up to 130 parts by weight, still more preferably up
to 120 parts by weight, still more preferably up to 110 parts by
weight, and most preferably up to 100 parts by weight. The
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester and the polyoxyethylene
castor oil are preferably incorporated so that content ratio of the
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester to the polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oil in the composition is 100 parts by weight:5
to 150 parts by weight, preferably 100 parts by weight:10 to up to
140 parts by weight, more preferably 100 parts by weight:20 to up
to 130 parts by weight and still more preferably 100 parts by
weight:30 to 120 parts by weight, still more preferably 100 parts
by weight:50 to 110 parts by weight, and most preferably 100 parts
by weight:80 to 120 parts by weight.
[0225] In the present invention, the term "emulsifier" includes
surfactants. The surfactant may be selected from cationic
surfactant, anionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, nonionic
surfactant, and the like, and the preferred is nonionic surfactant.
Exemplary known nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, glycerin
fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene castor
oil, and polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil.
[0226] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
has the characteristic feature in that it contains the
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the emulsifier. In one
of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
composition contains polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester and
polyoxyethylene castor oil and/or polyoxyethylene hydrogenated
castor oil as the emulsifiers. In another preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the composition contains polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene castor oil as the
emulsifiers. The self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention may contain an emulsifier other than polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene castor oil for the
emulsifier, and the content is up to 20 parts by weight, more
preferably up to 10 parts by weight, still more preferably less
than 5 parts by weight, and most preferably substantially zero when
total content of the emulsifier used in the composition is 100
parts by weight. The emulsifier which may be additionally
incorporated is not particularly limited as long as at least one of
the problems as described above can be solved, and examples include
sorbitan fatty acid ester, glycerin fatty acid ester,
polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, propylene glycol fatty
acid ester, saturated polyglycolated glyceride, polyoxyethylene
polyoxypropylene glycol, sucrose fatty ester, polyethylene glycol
fatty acid ester, tocopherol-polyethylene glycol-succinic acid
ester (TPGS), and the like.
[0227] The total content of the emulsifier in the self-emulsifying
composition of the present invention is not particularly limited as
long as the intended effects of the present invention are realized.
However, when the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition
is 100% by weight, the total content of the emulsifier is 1 to 29%
by weight, preferably 3 to 27% by weight, more preferably 5 to 27%
by weight, still more preferably 5 to 24% by weight, and most
preferably 10 to 20% by weight. Alternatively, the total content is
preferably 8 to 27% by weight, and more preferably 10 to 27% by
weight. In addition, the total content in relation to 100 parts by
weight of the .omega.3PUFA is 5 to 45 parts by weight, preferably
10 to 45 parts by weight, more preferably 15 to 35 parts by weight,
and most preferably 15 to 20 parts by weight.
[0228] The composition and the pharmaceutical preparation of the
present invention contain a small amount of water. Addition of
water to a composition containing a hydrophobic lipid is generally
conceived as a loss of compatibility. Presence of water in the
composition results in the improved compatibility of the
composition, and the use of the polyhydric alcohol and the ethanol
becomes unnecessary. In other words, a product having transparent
appearance which is free from the problem of separation or
cloudiness of the composition is produced without using the
polyhydric alcohol or the ethanol.
[0229] The small amount of water may be added during the
preparation of the self-emulsifying composition, and the water in
the gelatin capsule film may transfer to the self-emulsifying
composition after the encapsulation of the self-emulsifying
composition in the gelatin capsule.
[0230] In addition, the composition free from the polyhydric
alcohol and the ethanol neither causes the capsule to be softened
or deformed after the encapsulation, nor has side effects of the
ethanol on alcohol intolerance patients taking the composition.
[0231] The water is preferably used at an amount of 0.5 to 6% by
weight, more preferably at 0.5 to 4% by weight, more preferably at
0.5 to 3% by weight, and most preferably at 1 to 3% by weight when
the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight. Alternatively, the water is preferably used at an amount of
at least 0.5% by weight and less than 3% by weight, and more
preferably at least 0.5% by weight and less than 1.5% by
weight.
[0232] Specifically, the water is also preferably used at, but not
limited to, an amount of, for example, 0.5% by weight, 0.55% by
weight, 0.6% by weight, 0.65% by weight, 0.7% by weight, 0.75% by
weight, 0.8% by weight, 0.85% by weight, 0.9% by weight, 0.95% by
weight, 1.0% by weight, 1.1% by weight, 1.2% by weight, 1.3% by
weight, 1.4% by weight, 1.5% by weight, 1.6% by weight, 1.7% by
weight, 1.8% by weight, 1.9% by weight, 2.0% by weight, 2.1% by
weight, 2.2% by weight, 2.3% by weight, 2.4% by weight, 2.5% by
weight, 2.6% by weight, 2.7% by weight, 2.8% by weight, 2.9% by
weight, 3.0% by weight, 3.1% by weight, 3.2% by weight, 3.3% by
weight, 3.4% by weight, 3.5% by weight, 3.6% by weight, 3.7% by
weight, 3.8% by weight, 3.9% by weight, 4.0% by weight, 4.1% by
weight, 4.2% by weight, 4.3% by weight, 4.4% by weight, 4.5% by
weight, 4.6% by weight, 4.7% by weight, 4.8% by weight, 4.9% by
weight, 5.0% by weight, 5.1% by weight, 5.2% by weight, 5.3% by
weight, 5.4% by weight, 5.5% by weight, 5.6% by weight, 5.7% by
weight, 5.8% by weight, 5.9% by weight and 6.0% by weight when the
total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight.
[0233] In the present invention, the "lecithin" is one type of
glycerophospholipid, and examples include soybean lecithin,
zymolytic soybean lecithin, hydrogenated soybean lecithin, soybean
phospholipid, purified soybean phospholipid, hydrogenated soybean
phospholipid, egg yolk lecithin, egg yolk phopholipid, hydrogenated
phospholipid, phospholipid from milk, high purity synthetic
phospholipid, unsaturated phospholipid, lysolecithin, phospholipid
premix, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylethanolamine,
phosphatidylcholine (purified phosphatidylcholine, purified egg
yolk phosphatidylcholine, hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine,
polyenephosphatidylcholine, and hydrogenated purified egg yolk
phosphatidylcholine), phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol
(purified phosphatidylglycerol, purified egg yolk
phosphatidylglycerol, hydrogenated phosphatidylglycerol),
phosphatidylinocitol, cardiolipin, .alpha.-glycerophosphocholine,
and purified egg yolk sphingomyelin. The preferred are soybean
lecithin, zymolytic soybean lecithin, hydrogenated soybean
lecithin, and egg yolk lecithin, and the more preferred is soybean
lecithin. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The term "lecithin" as used in the present invention means all of
such glycerophospholipids unless otherwise noted. In the present
invention, lecithin is not included in the emulsifier (namely, not
in the "emulsifier" as the constituent of the invention, and not
taken into account in the calculation of the content of the
emulsifier in the composition).
[0234] Various products of lecithins are commercially available,
and exemplary such products include purified soybean lecithin
(Nisshin Oilio), purified egg yolk lecithin (Asahi Kasei Pharma
Corporation), and egg yolk lecithin PL-100M (Kewpie Corporation).
Exemplary soybean lecithins include BASIS LP-20B (Nisshin Oil
Mills, Ltd.) and Lipoid S45 and S20 (Lipoid), and exemplary
zymolytic lecithins include BASIS LP-20E (Nisshin Oil Mills, Ltd.)
and Phospholipon RLPC20 (Lipoid). Various such commercially
available products may be used in the composition.
[0235] The content of the lecithin added in the self-emulsifying
composition of the present invention is not particularly limited.
The content in relation to 100 parts by weight of the .omega.3PUFAs
is, however, preferably 0.5 to 40 parts by weight, more preferably
1 to 40 parts by weight, still more preferably 2 to 40 parts by
weight, still more preferably 3 to 40 parts by weight, still more
preferably 3 to 30 parts by weight, still more preferably 3 to 25
parts by weight, still more preferably 3 to 20 parts by weight,
still more preferably 3.2 to 17 parts by weight, still more
preferably 3.5 to 15 parts by weight, and still more preferably 3.7
to 17 parts by weight. Alternatively, the content is preferably 3
to 15 parts by weight, more preferably 3 to 12 parts by weight, and
still more preferably 3 to 10 parts by weight. Most preferably, the
content is 5 to 10 parts by weight.
[0236] The content of the lecithin is preferably 2.1 to 36% by
weight, more preferably 2.1 to 20% by weight, and still more
preferably 2.1 to 15% by weight when the total amount of the
self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight. Alternatively, the
content is preferably 0.5 to 30% by weight, more preferably 1 to
25% by weight, still more preferably 1 to 20% by weight, and still
more preferably 2 to 15% by weight. Most preferably, the content is
2.1 to 10% by weight.
[0237] Specifically, the content of the lecithin is also
preferably, but not limited to, for example, 0.5% by weight, 0.6%
by weight, 0.7% by weight, 0.8% by weight, 0.9% by weight, 1.0% by
weight, 1.1% by weight, 1.3% by weight, 1.5% by weight, 1.7% by
weight, 1.9% by weight, 2.1% by weight, 2.3% by weight, 2.5% by
weight, 2.7% by weight, 2.9% by weight, 3.1% by weight, 3.3% by
weight, 3.5% by weight, 3.7% by weight, 3.9% by weight, 4.1% by
weight, 4.3% by weight, 4.5% by weight, 4.7% by weight, 4.9% by
weight, 5.1% by weight, 5.3% by weight, 5.5% by weight, 5.7% by
weight, 5.9% by weight, 6.1% by weight, 6.3% by weight, 6.5% by
weight, 6.7% by weight, 6.9% by weight, 7.1% by weight, 7.3% by
weight, 7.5% by weight, 7.7% by weight, 7.9% by weight, 8.1% by
weight, 8.3% by weight, 8.5% by weight, 8.7% by weight, 8.9% by
weight, 9.1% by weight, 9.3% by weight, 9.5% by weight, 9.7% by
weight, 9.9% by weight, 10% by weight, 11% by weight, 12% by
weight, 13% by weight, 14% by weight, 15% by weight, 16% by weight,
17% by weight, 18% by weight, 19% by weight and 20% by weight when
the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by
weight.
[0238] The content of the lecithin is preferably 10 to 75 parts by
weight, more preferably 11 to 60 parts by weight, still more
preferably 20 to 55 parts by weight, and most preferably 25 to 35
parts by weight when the total content of the emulsifier in the
self-emulsifying composition is 100 parts by weight.
[0239] The content of the lecithin is preferably 10 to 150 parts by
weight, more preferably 20 to 120 parts by weight, and still more
preferably 40 to 90 parts by weight when the total content of the
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in the self-emulsifying
composition is 100 parts by weight. Most preferably, the content is
50 to 70 parts by weight.
[0240] In the present invention, the "polyhydric alcohol" is a
polyol compound having the structure of a straight chain or cyclic
aliphatic hydrocarbon wherein two or more carbon atoms are each
substituted with one hydroxy group. Exemplary such polyhydric
alcohols include divalent alcohols such as ethylene glycol,
propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,2-butylene glycol,
tetramethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, 2,3-butylene glycol,
and pentamethylene glycol; trivalent alcohols such as glycerin,
trimethylolpropane, and 1,2,6-hexane triol; and polyhydric alcohol
polymers such as diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol triethylene
glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and
polyglycerin, and the preferred is propylene glycol or glycerin.
The glycerin also includes concentrated glycerin. The term
"polyhydric alcohol" as used in the present invention means all of
such polyol compounds unless otherwise noted.
[0241] Content of the polyhydric alcohol added in the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is such an
amount that the capsule is not deformed when the composition is
filled in the capsule. For example, the content of the polyhydric
alcohol in the composition is preferably not more than 4% by weight
when the total composition is 100% by weight. Content of the
polyhydric alcohol in the composition is preferably up to 4% by
weight, more preferably up to 3% by weight, even more preferably up
to 2% by weight, still more preferably up to 1% by weight, and most
preferably 0% by weight.
[0242] Content of the ethanol in the self-emulsifying composition
of the present invention is preferably such an amount that change
in the quality is not induced during the encapsulation,
distribution, or storage, and denaturing of the capsule content is
not induced. Also, the ethanol content is preferably not exceed the
daily experientially allowable medical dose. For example, the
content of the ethanol in the composition is preferably not more
the 4% by weight when the total composition is 100% by weight.
Content of the ethanol in the composition is preferably up to 4% by
weight, more preferably up to 3% by weight, even more preferably up
to 2% by weight, still more preferably up to 1% by weight, and most
preferably 0% by weight.
[0243] When the ethanol and the polyhydric alcohol are contained in
the self-emulsifying composition, the total content of the ethanol
and the polyhydric alcohol in the composition is preferably not
more than 4% by weight when the total amount of the composition is
100% by weight. In the preferred embodiment, the composition
contains substantially no ethanol and no polyhydric alcohol. Total
content of the ethanol and the polyhydric alcohol in the
composition is preferably up to 4% by weight, more preferably up to
3% by weight, even more preferably up to 2% by weight, still more
preferably up to 1% by weight, and most preferably 0% by
weight.
[0244] Preferable ethanol concentration may be determined based on
the .omega.3 PUFA concentration of the self-emulsifying composition
and the daily dose of the self-emulsifying composition. When the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is orally
administered to each individual at a daily dose of 1800 mg in terms
of .omega.3 PUFA, and a preparation containing the .omega.3 PUFA,
for example, at an amount of 75% by weight is prepared, the ethanol
dose will not exceed 3.26 mg which is daily maximum dose described
in the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Additives" when the ethanol
concentration is up to 0.135% by weight.
[0245] For the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention containing such .omega.3 PUFA and emulsifier as described
above, a preferred embodiment is the combination containing 1)
EPA-E and/or DHA-E, 2) water, 3) a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester as an emulsifier, and 4) lecithin. When the total amount
of the self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight, the EPA-E
and/or DHA-E 1) is 70 to 90% by weight, the water 2) is 0.5 to 6%
by weight, the emulsifier including the polyoxyethylene sorbitan 3)
is 1 to 29% by weight (excluding the lecithin), and the lecithin 4)
is 3 to 40 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of
the EPA-E and/or DHA-E. Another preferred embodiment is the
combination containing 1) EPA-E and/or DHA-E, 2) water, 3) a
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the emulsifier, 4)
polyoxyl castor oil, and 5) lecithin. When the total amount of the
self-emulsifying composition is 100% by weight, the EPA-E and/or
DHA-E 1) is 70 to 90% by weight, the water 2) is 0.5 to 6% by
weight, the emulsifier including the polyoxyethylene sorbitan 3)
and the polyoxyl castor oil (excluding the lecithin) is 1 to 29% by
weight, and the lecithin 4) is 3 to 40 parts by weight in relation
to 100 parts by weight of the EPA-E and/or DHA-E. Another preferred
embodiment is the combination containing 1) at least one compound
selected from .omega.3PUFAs and their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters, 2) water, 3) a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester and polyoxyethylene castor oil as the emulsifier, and 4)
lecithin. When the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition
is 100% by weight, the at least one compound selected from
.omega.3PUFAs and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and
esters 1) is 70 to 90% by weight, the water 2) is 0.5 to 6% by
weight, the emulsifier including the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty
acid ester and polyoxyethylene castor oil 3) is 5 to 24% by weight,
with the polyoxyethylene castor oil being up to 120 parts by weight
in relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan
fatty acid ester, and the lecithin 4) is 3 to 40 parts by weight in
relation to 100 parts by weight of the at least one compound
selected from .omega.3PUFAs and their pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and esters.
[0246] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
may be encapsulated in a capsule. The capsule selected may be a
hard capsule or a soft capsule, and preferably, the capsule used is
a soft capsule. The soft capsule is not particularly limited in
shape, and preferably, the soft capsule is a rotary die type soft
capsule or a seamless capsule.
[0247] In the soft capsule of the present invention, the capsule
film is not necessarily limited for its composition, and exemplary
main ingredients include gelatin, carageenan, pectin, pullulan,
sodium arginate, starch, hypromellose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and
other known ingredients. The preferred is gelatin, and the type of
gelatin used is not particularly limited. Exemplary gelatins
include acid-treated gelatin, alkali-treated gelatin, amphoteric
gelatin, chemically modified gelatin, and other known gelatins,
which may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The
gelatin used is preferably an acid-treated gelatin or
alkali-treated gelatin. The source of the gelatin is not
necessarily limited, and the gelatin used may be the one from
cattle bone, cattle skin, pig bone, pig skin, fish scale, or fish
skin, and preferably, the one from cattle bone, cattle skin, pig
bone, or pig skin.
[0248] The "gelatin" used may be the one normally used in the
production of a soft capsule, for example, medical gelatin (gelatin
and purified gelatin) defined in The Japanese Pharmacopoeia 16th
edition. The gelatin may also be a combination of two or more
types, and the capsule film may also contain other components such
as a plasticizing agent.
[0249] The "plasticizing agent" added to the capsule film may be
the one normally used in the production of a soft capsule, with
preferred examples including a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin
(for example, concentrated glycerin), ethylene glycol, polyethylene
glycol, propylene glycol, or polypropylene glycol, and a sugar
alcohol such as sorbitol, mannitol, or xylitol. These plasticizing
agents may be used in combination of two or more. Particularly
preferred are glycerin and sorbitol. Also preferred is a
combination of glycerin and sorbitol, and in this case, the
glycerin and the sorbitol may be used at a weight ratio in the
range of 1:5 to 5:1, and more preferably 1:3 to 3:1.
[0250] In the soft capsule preparation, and in particular, in the
seamless capsule of the present invention, the capsule film
solution preferably contains the gelatin and the plasticizing agent
at a weight ratio in the range of 10:1 to 1:10, and more preferably
of 10:1 to 1:1.
[0251] The weight ratio between the capsule film solution and the
capsule content is typically 10:1 to 1:10, and preferably 3:1 to
1:10.
[0252] If desired, the capsule film may also contain various
additives commonly used in the capsule film. Exemplary such
additives include amino acids, citric acid, glycerin, sorbitol,
trehalose, and other plasticizing agents, antiseptic, dye, titanium
oxide, and other colorants, and organic acids.
[0253] The composition for the capsule film may be prepared by
dissolving gelatin, the plasticizing agent, and the optional
additives in water at room temperature or at an elevated
temperature.
[0254] A capsulated self-emulsifying preparation having the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention as its liquid
content preferably has high hardness immediately after the
production, and this hardness is preferably maintained during the
storage. Loss of the hardness is unfavorable in view of the quality
because the loss of the hardness does not only result in the
deformation but also fragileness and breakage of the capsule and
bleeding of the content. Softening of the capsule can be detected
by measuring the hardness with a common hardness tester.
[0255] The capsulated self-emulsifying preparation of the present
invention has the hardness immediately after the production of at
least 18 kgf, preferably at least 20 kgf, and more preferably at
least 22 kgf. It is desirable that the hardness of the preparation
does not substantially decrease, or not decrease by 6 kgf or more
when the preparation is stored in a tightly sealed aluminum package
at 40.degree. C. for 1 week compared with the hardness immediately
after the production. Preferably, the inventive preparation has a
hardness of at least 10 kgf, more preferably of at least 15 kgf,
and even more preferably of at least 20 kgf after the storage at
40.degree. C. for 1 week.
[0256] With the hardness immediately after the production being
assumed to be 100%, at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, more
preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 85%, and
most preferably at least 90% thereof is maintained after the
storage in a tightly sealed aluminum package at 40.degree. C. for 1
week.
[0257] The dose and dosage period of the .omega.3 PUFA used in the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention are made
sufficient for realizing the intended action, and can be adequately
adjusted depending on the administration route, frequency of
administration per day, seriousness of the symptoms, body weight,
age, and other factors.
[0258] In the case of oral administration, the composition is
administered one to three times a day at an EPA-E dose, for
instance, per individual of 10 to 12000 mg/day, 50 to 10000 mg/day,
preferably 50 to 8000 mg, 100 to 5000 mg/day, 100 to 4000 mg/day,
more preferably 200 to 3000 mg/day, 300 to 3000 mg/day, and still
more preferably 500 to 3000 mg/day; or administered one to three
times a day at an EPA-E dose per individual of 500 to 10000 mg/day,
500 to 4500 mg/day, 1500 to 4200 mg/day, and preferably 1500 to
2400 mg/day, 3300 to 4200 mg/day, 7000 to 8100 mg/day. The
administration may be conducted one time at the entire dose or
several times at divided doses as required. The composition may be
administered one to three times a day at an EPA-E dose per
individual of 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 2700 mg, 3000 mg, 3600 mg, 4000 mg,
6000 mg, 8000 mg or 10000 mg, with the administration being
conducted one time at the entire dose or several times at divided
doses as required. Tolerance of the daily dose or one divided dose
as described above is .+-.5%. The frequency of administration per
day is preferably one time a day or two or three times a day. In
the case of one time administration per day, one to ten capsules,
preferably one to eight capsules, more preferably one to six
capsules, still more preferably one to four capsules, and even more
preferably one to three capsules as soft capsules each containing
1000 mg of EPA-E, for instance, can be administered. Soft capsules
each containing 100 mg of EPA-E may be combined with soft capsules
each containing 500 mg of the ester so as to administer the
composition at an EPA-E dose of 500 mg, 1500 mg, 2500 mg, 3500 mg,
4500 mg or 5500 mg/administration. While administration of EPA-E
during to after meals is deemed preferable, and administration
immediately after meals (within 30 minutes after meals) more
preferable, because the absorption of EPA-E is influenced by diet,
the self-emulsifying composition of the present invention has an
excellent absorbability under fasting, and therefore, it exerts the
intended effects even when administered at a timing other than
during, after or immediately after meals, for example, under
fasting (at least 8 hours, and preferably at least 10 hours after
the last meal), before or immediately before meals, between meals,
or at bedtime; when administered to patients with reduced
absorption ability of the intestinal tract (for example, elderly,
patients of intestinal disease, patients after intestinal surgery,
terminal cancer patients, or patients taking a lipase inhibitor);
or when administered at a reduced dose.
[0259] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is
preferably characterized in that the time until the maximum plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration is attained after the oral
administration is comparable to or shorter than that found for the
.omega.3 PUFA stock solution. Otherwise, the inventive composition
is preferably characterized in that the maximum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration is higher than that found for the .omega.3 PUFA
stock solution (a composition containing the .omega.3 PUFA in the
same amount as the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention but not containing the emulsifier and the like). In
addition, the inventive composition is preferably characterized in
that the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration two hours after the
administration, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve from zero to two hours after the
administration, and/or the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve from zero to 72 hours after the
administration is comparable to or higher than that found for the
.omega.3 PUFA stock solution. More preferably, the self-emulsifying
composition of the present invention is characterized in that the
time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
attained is short, such maximum concentration is high, and both the
plasma concentration two hours after the administration and the
area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve
from zero to two hours and/or from zero to 72 hours after the
administration are high as compared with those for the .omega.3
PUFA stock solution, respectively. Most preferably, the above
parameters of the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention are higher than those obtained in the case when the
.omega.3 PUFA stock solution is administered immediately after
meals.
[0260] Such pharmacokinetics as above can be confirmed with dogs,
monkeys or other animals, and preferably by examination on
humans.
[0261] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to male beagles as fasted for at
least 18 hours at an .omega.3 PUFA dose per individual of 600 mg,
the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is, for instance,
preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 60
.mu.g/mL, and even more preferably at least 70 .mu.g/mL, as
calculated with correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration before the administration of the composition.
The area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve
from zero to two hours after the administration is preferably at
least 50 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably at least 60 .mu.ghr/mL, and
even more preferably at least 70 .mu.ghr/mL. The combination of the
ranges of the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration and the
area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve is
preferably a combination of the range of at least 50 .mu.g/mL and
the range of at least 50 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably a combination
of the range of at least 60 .mu.g/mL and the range of at least 60
.mu.ghr/mL, and even more preferably a combination of the range of
at least 70 .mu.g/mL and the range of at least 70 .mu.ghr/mL.
[0262] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to male crab-eating macaques as
fasted for at least 12 hours at an .omega.3 PUFA dose of 45 mg/kg
body weight, the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL, and more preferably 70 .mu.g/mL,
as calculated with correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration before the administration of the composition.
The area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve
from zero to 12 hours after the administration is preferably at
least 400 .mu.ghr/mL, and more preferably 500 .mu.g/mL. The
combination of the ranges of the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration and the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve as above is preferably a combination of
the range of at least 50 .mu.g/mL and the range of at least 400
.mu.ghr/mL, and more preferably a combination of the range of at
least 70 .mu.g/mL and the range of at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL.
[0263] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans before meals,
immediately after meals or after meals at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA
dose per individual of 500 mg to 1800 mg, the maximum plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
more preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at
least 150 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at least 180 .mu.g/mL, and
most preferably at least 350 .mu.g/mL, as calculated with
correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration
before the administration of the composition. Alternatively, the
maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably 10 to 1000
.mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 700 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably
40 to 600 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably 50 to 500 .mu.g/mL, and
most preferably 60 to 480 .mu.g/mL. The plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration 24 hours after the administration is preferably 5 to
100 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 10 to 90 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 15 to 85 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 20 to 80
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably 30 to 70 .mu.g/mL. The area under the
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve from zero to 72
hours after the administration is preferably at least 500
.mu.ghr/mL, more preferably at least 800 .mu.ghr/mL, still more
preferably at least 1000 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably at least
1500 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably at least 1800 .mu.ghr/mL.
Alternatively, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve as above is preferably 500 to 9000
.mu.ghr/mL, more preferably 600 to 8000 .mu.ghr/mL, still more
preferably 700 to 7000 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably 800 to 5000
.mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably 1500 to 4500 .mu.ghr/mL. The time
until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is attained is
preferably up to 6 hours, more preferably up to 5.5 hours, still
more preferably up to 5 hours, even more preferably up to 4 hours,
and most preferably less than one hour. Alternatively, the time
until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is attained is
preferably 0.5 to 10 hours, more preferably 1 to 8 hours, still
more preferably 1.5 to 7 hours, even more preferably 2 to 7 hours,
and most preferably 3 to 6 hours. The plasma .omega.3 PUFA
elimination half-life is preferably at least 10 hours, more
preferably at least 20 hours, still more preferably at least 30
hours, even more preferably at least 40 hours, and most preferably
at least 50 hours. Alternatively, the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
elimination half-life is preferably 0 to 150 hours, more preferably
10 to 120 hours, still more preferably 30 to 100 hours, even more
preferably 25 to 75 hours, and most preferably 25 to 50 hours.
[0264] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans before meals,
immediately after meals or after meals at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA
dose per individual of 1500 mg to 4200 mg, the maximum plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
more preferably at least 60 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at
least 70 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL, and
most preferably at least 150 .mu.g/mL, as calculated with
correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration
before the administration of the composition. Alternatively, the
maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably 10 to 1000
.mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 600 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably
40 to 400 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably 50 to 300 .mu.g/mL, and
most preferably 60 to 250 .mu.g/mL. The plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration 24 hours after the administration is preferably 5 to
100 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 10 to 90 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 12 to 60 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 15 to 50
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably 20 to 45 .mu.g/mL. The area under the
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve from zero to 72
hours after the administration is preferably at least 500
.mu.ghr/mL, more preferably at least 800 .mu.ghr/mL, still more
preferably at least 1000 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably at least
1500 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably at least 2000 .mu.ghr/mL.
Alternatively, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve as above is preferably 500 to 6000
.mu.ghr/mL, more preferably 600 to 5000 .mu.ghr/mL, still more
preferably 700 to 4000 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably 800 to 3500
.mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably 1000 to 3000 .mu.ghr/mL. The time
until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is attained is
preferably up to 6 hours, more preferably up to 5.5 hours, still
more preferably up to 5 hours, even more preferably up to 4 hours,
and most preferably less than one hour. Alternatively, the time
until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is attained is
preferably 0.5 to 10 hours, more preferably 1 to 8 hours, still
more preferably 1.5 to 7 hours, even more preferably 2 to 7 hours,
and most preferably 3 to 6 hours. The plasma .omega.3 PUFA
elimination half-life is preferably at least 10 hours, more
preferably at least 20 hours, still more preferably at least 30
hours, even more preferably at least 40 hours, and most preferably
at least 50 hours. Alternatively, the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
elimination half-life is preferably 0 to 150 hours, more preferably
10 to 120 hours, still more preferably 30 to 100 hours, even more
preferably 25 to 75 hours, and most preferably 25 to 50 hours.
[0265] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans before meals,
immediately after meals or after meals at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA
dose per individual of 1500 mg to 2400 mg (for example, 2000 mg),
the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably at
least 40 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably at least 60 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at least 65
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL, as calculated
with correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration before the administration of the composition.
Alternatively, the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
preferably 10 to 1000 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 500 .mu.g/mL,
still more preferably 40 to 300 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably 50
to 150 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably 60 to 120 .mu.g/mL. The plasma
concentration 24 hours after the administration is preferably 5 to
70 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 10 to 60 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 15 to 50 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 18 to 40
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably 20 to 35 .mu.g/mL. The area under the
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve from zero to 72
hours after the administration is preferably at least 500
.mu.ghr/mL, more preferably at least 800 .mu.ghr/mL, still more
preferably at least 1000 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably at least
1200 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably at least 1500 .mu.ghr/mL.
Alternatively, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve as above is preferably 500 to 5000
.mu.ghr/mL, more preferably 600 to 4000 .mu.ghr/mL, still more
preferably 700 to 3000 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably 800 to 2500
.mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably 1000 to 2100 .mu.ghr/mL. The time
until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is attained is
preferably up to 6 hours, more preferably up to 5.5 hours, still
more preferably up to 5 hours, even more preferably up to 4 hours,
and most preferably less than one hour. Alternatively, the time
until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is attained is
preferably 0.5 to 10 hours, more preferably 1 to 8 hours, still
more preferably 1.5 to 7 hours, even more preferably 2 to 7 hours,
and most preferably 3 to 6 hours. The plasma .omega.3 PUFA
elimination half-life is preferably at least 10 hours, more
preferably at least 20 hours, still more preferably at least 30
hours, even more preferably at least 40 hours, and most preferably
at least 50 hours. Alternatively, the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
elimination half-life is preferably 0 to 150 hours, more preferably
10 to 120 hours, still more preferably 30 to 100 hours, even more
preferably 25 to 75 hours, and most preferably 25 to 50 hours.
[0266] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans before meals,
immediately after meals or after meals at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA
dose per individual of 3300 mg to 4200 mg (for example, 4000 mg),
the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably at
least 50 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL, still
more preferably at least 150 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at
least 160 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least 180 .mu.g/mL, as
calculated with correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration before the administration of the composition.
Alternatively, the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
preferably 10 to 1000 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 500 .mu.g/mL,
still more preferably 50 to 400 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably 100
to 300 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably 150 to 200 .mu.g/mL. The
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is preferably 10 to 80 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20
to 60 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 25 to 55 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 30 to 50 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably 35 to 45
.mu.g/mL. The area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs
time curve from zero to 72 hours after the administration is
preferably at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably at least 1000
.mu.ghr/mL, still more preferably at least 1500 .mu.ghr/mL, even
more preferably at least 2000 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably at
least 2500 .mu.ghr/mL. Alternatively, the area under the plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve as above is preferably
500 to 5000 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably 1000 to 4700 .mu.ghr/mL,
still more preferably 1500 to 4500 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably
2000 to 4000 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably 2500 to 3500
.mu.ghr/mL. The time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration is attained is preferably up to 6 hours, more
preferably up to 5.5 hours, still more preferably up to 5 hours,
even more preferably up to 4 hours, and most preferably less than
one hour. Alternatively, the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration is attained is preferably 0.5 to 10 hours, more
preferably 1 to 8 hours, still more preferably 1.5 to 7 hours, even
more preferably 2 to 7 hours, and most preferably 3 to 6 hours. The
plasma elimination half-life is preferably at least 10 hours, more
preferably at least 20 hours, still more preferably at least 30
hours, even more preferably at least 40 hours, and most preferably
at least 50 hours. Alternatively, the plasma elimination half-life
is preferably 0 to 150 hours, more preferably 10 to 120 hours,
still more preferably 30 to 100 hours, even more preferably 25 to
75 hours, and most preferably 25 to 50 hours.
[0267] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans before meals,
immediately after meals or after meals at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA
dose per individual of 7000 mg to 8500 mg (for example, 8000 mg),
the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably at
least 100 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 200 .mu.g/mL, still
more preferably at least 300 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at
least 350 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least 400 .mu.g/mL, as
calculated with correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration before the administration of the composition.
Alternatively, the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
preferably 100 to 1000 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 200 to 800
.mu.g/mL, still more preferably 300 to 600 .mu.g/mL, even more
preferably 300 to 500 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably 350 to 500
.mu.g/mL. The plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration is preferably 10 to 100 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 30
to 90 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 50 to 85 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 55 to 85 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably 65 to 80
.mu.g/mL. The area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs
time curve from zero to 72 hours after the administration is
preferably at least 1000 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably at least 2000
.mu.ghr/mL, still more preferably at least 3000 .mu.ghr/mL, even
more preferably at least 4000 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably at
least 5000 .mu.ghr/mL. Alternatively, the area under the plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve as above is preferably
1000 to 10000 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably 2000 to 8000 .mu.ghr/mL,
still more preferably 3000 to 7000 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably
3500 to 6500 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably 4000 to 6500
.mu.ghr/mL. The time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration is attained is preferably up to 6 hours, more
preferably up to 5.5 hours, still more preferably up to 5 hours,
even more preferably up to 4 hours, and most preferably less than
one hour. Alternatively, the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration is attained is preferably 0.5 to 10 hours, more
preferably 1 to 8 hours, still more preferably 1.5 to 7 hours, even
more preferably 2 to 7 hours, and most preferably 3 to 6 hours. The
plasma .omega.3 PUFA elimination half-life is preferably at least
10 hours, more preferably at least 20 hours, still more preferably
at least 30 hours, even more preferably at least 40 hours, and most
preferably at least 50 hours. Alternatively, the plasma .omega.3
PUFA elimination half-life is preferably 0 to 150 hours, more
preferably 10 to 120 hours, still more preferably 30 to 100 hours,
even more preferably 25 to 75 hours, and most preferably 25 to 50
hours.
[0268] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans under fasting, before
meals, immediately after meals or after meals at an .omega.3 PUFA
or EPA dose per individual of 1800 mg, the maximum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration is preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL, more
preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at least
150 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at least 200 .mu.g/mL, and most
preferably at least 300 .mu.g/mL, as calculated with correction by
subtraction of the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration before the
administration of the composition. Alternatively, the maximum
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably 10 to 1000
.mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 500 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably
40 to 300 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably 50 to 150 .mu.g/mL, and
most preferably 50 to 100 .mu.g/mL. Alternatively, the maximum
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably at least 50
.mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 60 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably at least 65 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at least 80
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL. Alternatively,
the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably 10 to
1000 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 500 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 40 to 300 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably 50 to 150
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably 60 to 120 .mu.g/mL. The plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration 24 hours after the administration is
preferably 5 to 70 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 10 to 60 .mu.g/mL,
still more preferably 13 to 50 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 15
to 40 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably 18 to 30 .mu.g/mL. The area
under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve from
zero to 72 hours after the administration is preferably at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably at least 1000 .mu.ghr/mL, still
more preferably at least 1500 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably at
least 2000 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably at least 3000
.mu.ghr/mL. Alternatively, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve as above is preferably 500 to 4500
.mu.ghr/mL, more preferably 600 to 3000 .mu.ghr/mL, still more
preferably 700 to 2500 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably 800 to 2000
.mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably 1000 to 1500 .mu.ghr/mL.
Alternatively, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve from zero to 72 hours after the
administration is preferably at least 500 .mu.ghr/mL, more
preferably at least 800 .mu.ghr/mL, still more preferably at least
1000 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably at least 1500 .mu.ghr/mL, and
most preferably at least 1800 .mu.ghr/mL. Alternatively, the area
under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve as above
is preferably 500 to 4500 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably 600 to 3000
.mu.ghr/mL, still more preferably 700 to 2500 .mu.ghr/mL, even more
preferably 800 to 2200 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably 1000 to 2100
.mu.ghr/mL. The time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration is attained is preferably up to 6 hours, more
preferably up to 5 hours, still more preferably up to 3 hours, even
more preferably up to 1 hour, and most preferably less than one
hour. Alternatively, the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration is attained is preferably 0.5 to 10 hours, more
preferably 1 to 8 hours, still more preferably 1.5 to 7 hours, even
more preferably 2 to 5 hours, and most preferably 2.5 to 4 hours.
Alternatively, the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration is attained is preferably up to 6 hours, more
preferably up to 5.5 hours, still more preferably up to 5 hours,
even more preferably up to 4 hours, and most preferably less than
one hour. Alternatively, the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration is attained is preferably 0.5 to 10 hours, more
preferably 1 to 8 hours, still more preferably 1.5 to 7 hours, even
more preferably 2 to 7 hours, and most preferably 3 to 6 hours. The
plasma .omega.3 PUFA elimination half-life is preferably at least
10 hours, more preferably at least 20 hours, still more preferably
at least 30 hours, even more preferably at least 40 hours, and most
preferably at least 50 hours. Alternatively, the plasma .omega.3
PUFA elimination half-life is preferably 0 to 150 hours, more
preferably 10 to 120 hours, still more preferably 30 to 100 hours,
even more preferably 25 to 75 hours, and most preferably 25 to 50
hours.
[0269] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans at such a timing as
under fasting, before meals, immediately after meals or after meals
at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose of 3600 mg, the maximum plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL,
more preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at
least 150 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at least 200 .mu.g/mL, and
most preferably at least 300 .mu.g/mL, as calculated with
correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration
before the administration of the composition. Alternatively, the
maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably at least
50 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably at least 150 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably at least 160
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least 180 .mu.g/mL. Alternatively,
the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is preferably 10 to
1000 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 500 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 50 to 400 .mu.g/mL, even more preferably 100 to 300
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably 150 to 200 .mu.g/mL. The plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration 24 hours after the administration is
preferably 10 to 80 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 60 .mu.g/mL,
still more preferably 25 to 50 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 30
to 45 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably 35 to 40 .mu.g/mL. The area
under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve from
zero to 72 hours after the administration is preferably at least
500 .mu.ghr/mL, more preferably at least 1000 .mu.ghr/mL, still
more preferably at least 1500 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably at
least 2000 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably at least 2500 or 3000
.mu.ghr/mL. Alternatively, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve as above is preferably 500 to 5000
.mu.ghr/mL, more preferably 1000 to 4700 .mu.ghr/mL, still more
preferably 1500 to 4500 .mu.ghr/mL, even more preferably 2000 to
4000 .mu.ghr/mL, and most preferably 2500 to 3500 .mu.ghr/mL. The
time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
attained is preferably up to 6 hours, more preferably up to 5
hours, still more preferably up to 3 hours, even more preferably up
to 1 hour, and most preferably less than one hour. Alternatively,
the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
attained is preferably up to 6 hours, more preferably up to 5.5
hours, still more preferably up to 5 hours, even more preferably up
to 4.5 hours, and most preferably less than one hour.
Alternatively, the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration is attained is preferably 0.5 to 10 hours, more
preferably 1 to 8 hours, still more preferably 1.5 to 7 hours, even
more preferably 2 to 6 hours, and most preferably 3.5 to 5.5 hours
or 3 to 5 hours. The plasma .omega.3 PUFA elimination half-life is
preferably at least 10 hours, more preferably at least 20 hours,
still more preferably at least 30 hours, even more preferably at
least 40 hours, and most preferably at least 50 hours.
Alternatively, the plasma .omega.3 PUFA elimination half-life is
preferably 0 to 150 hours, more preferably 10 to 120 hours, still
more preferably 30 to 100 hours, even more preferably 25 to 75
hours, and most preferably 25 to 50 hours.
[0270] In the case of a pharmacokinetic study with humans, the
above-mentioned numerical ranges may also be replaced by those
mentioned below. To be more specific: In a study conducted by
orally administering the self-emulsifying composition at such a
timing as under fasting, before meals, immediately after meals or
after meals and at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose per individual of
1800 mg, the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration as
calculated with correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration before the administration of the composition is
not particularly limited, while it may be specified to be: 10 to
150, 20 to 160, 30 to 170, 40 to 180, 50 to 190, 60 to 200, 10 to
50, 50 to 100, 100 to 150, 150 to 200, 200 to 250, 250 to 300, 300
to 350, 350 to 400, 400 to 450, 450 to 500, 500 to 600, 600 to 700,
700 to 800, 800 to 900, 900 to 1000, 10 to 30, 20 to 40, 30 to 50,
40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to 80, 70 to 90, 80 to 100, 90 to 110, 100
to 120, 110 to 130, 120 to 140, 130 to 150, 140 to 160, 150 to 170,
160 to 180, 170 to 190, 180 to 200, 190 to 210, 200 to 220, 220 to
240, 240 to 260, 260 to 280, 280 to 300, 10 to 20, 15 to 25, 20 to
30, 25 to 35, 30 to 40, 35 to 45, 40 to 50, 45 to 55, 50 to 55, 53
to 58, 55 to 60, 58 to 63, 60 to 65, 63 to 68, 65 to 70, 68 to 73,
70 to 75, 73 to 78, 75 to 80, 78 to 83, 80 to 85, 83 to 88, 85 to
90, 88 to 93, 90 to 95, 93 to 98, 95 to 100, 98 to 103, 100 to 105,
103 to 108, 105 to 110, 108 to 113, 110 to 115, 113 to 118, 115 to
120, 118 to 123, 120 to 125, 123 to 128, 125 to 130, 128 to 133,
130 to 135, 133 to 138, 135 to 140, 138 to 143, 140 to 145, 143 to
148, 145 to 150, 150 to 160, 155 to 165, 160 to 170, 165 to 175,
170 to 180, 175 to 185, 180 to 190, 185 to 195, 190 to 200, 195 to
205, 200 to 210, 205 to 215, 210 to 220, 215 to 225, 220 to 230,
225 to 235, 230 to 240, 235 to 245, or 240 to 250 .mu.g/ml. In a
study conducted by administering the self-emulsifying composition
at such a timing as under fasting, before meals, immediately after
meals or after meals and at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose per
individual of 3600 mg, the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration may be specified to be: 10 to 200, 30 to 220, 50 to
240, 70 to 260, 90 to 280, 110 to 300, 130 to 320, 150 to 350, 10
to 50, 50 to 100, 100 to 150, 150 to 200, 200 to 250, 250 to 300,
300 to 350, 350 to 400, 400 to 450, 450 to 500, 500 to 600, 600 to
700, 700 to 800, 800 to 900, 900 to 1000, 10 to 30, 20 to 40, 30 to
50, 40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to 80, 70 to 90, 80 to 100, 90 to 110,
100 to 120, 110 to 130, 120 to 140, 130 to 150, 140 to 160, 150 to
170, 160 to 180, 170 to 190, 180 to 200, 190 to 210, 200 to 220,
220 to 240, 240 to 260, 260 to 280, 280 to 300, 10 to 20, 15 to 25,
20 to 30, 25 to 35, 30 to 40, 35 to 45, 40 to 50, 45 to 55, 50 to
55, 53 to 58, 55 to 60, 58 to 63, 60 to 65, 63 to 68, 65 to 70, 68
to 73, 70 to 75, 73 to 78, 75 to 80, 78 to 83, 80 to 85, 83 to 88,
85 to 90, 88 to 93, 90 to 95, 93 to 98, 95 to 100, 98 to 103, 100
to 105, 103 to 108, 105 to 110, 108 to 113, 110 to 115, 113 to 118,
115 to 120, 118 to 123, 120 to 125, 123 to 128, 125 to 130, 128 to
133, 130 to 135, 133 to 138, 135 to 140, 138 to 143, 140 to 145,
143 to 148, 145 to 150, 150 to 160, 155 to 165, 160 to 170, 165 to
175, 170 to 180, 175 to 185, 180 to 190, 185 to 195, 190 to 200,
195 to 205, 200 to 210, 205 to 215, 210 to 220, 215 to 225, 220 to
230, 225 to 235, 230 to 240, 235 to 245, or 240 to 250
.mu.g/ml.
[0271] The area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs
time curve from zero to 72 hours after the administration in a
study conducted by administering the self-emulsifying composition
at such a timing as under fasting, before meals, immediately after
meals or after meals and at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose per
individual of 1800 mg may be specified to be: 500 to 2000, 700 to
2200, 900 to 2400, 1100 to 2600, 500 to 1500, 1000 to 2000, 1500 to
2500, 2000 to 3000, 2500 to 3500, 3000 to 4000, 500 to 1000, 750 to
1250, 1000 to 1500, 1250 to 1750, 1500 to 2000, 1750 to 2250, 2000
to 2500, 2250 to 2750, 2500 to 3000, 2750 to 3250, 3000 to 3500,
3250 to 3750, 3500 to 4000, 3750 to 4250, 4000 to 4500, 4250 to
4750, 4500 to 5000, 500 to 700, 600 to 800, 700 to 900, 800 to
1000, 900 to 1100, 1000 to 1200, 1100 to 1300, 1200 to 1400, 1300
to 1500, 1400 to 1600, 1500 to 1700, 1600 to 1800, 1700 to 1900,
1800 to 2000, 1900 to 2100, 2000 to 2200, 2100 to 2300, 2200 to
2400, 2300 to 2500, 2400 to 2600, 2500 to 2700, 2600 to 2800, 2700
to 2900, 2800 to 3000, 2900 to 3100, 3000 to 3200, 3100 to 3300,
3200 to 3400, 3300 to 3500, 3400 to 3600, 3500 to 3700, 3600 to
3800, 3700 to 3900, 3800 to 4000, 3900 to 4100, 4000 to 4200, 4100
to 4300, 4200 to 4400, 4300 to 4500, 500 to 600, 550 to 650, 600 to
700, 650 to 750, 700 to 800, 750 to 850, 800 to 900, 850 to 950,
900 to 1000, 950 to 1050, 1000 to 1100, 1050 to 1150, 1100 to 1200,
1150 to 1250, 1200 to 1300, 1250 to 1350, 1300 to 1400, 1350 to
1450, 1400 to 1500, 1450 to 1550, 1500 to 1600, 1550 to 1650, 1600
to 1700, 1650 to 1750, 1700 to 1800, 1750 to 1850, 1800 to 1900,
1850 to 1950, 1900 to 2000, 1950 to 2050, 2000 to 2100, 2050 to
2150, 2100 to 2200, 2150 to 2250, 2200 to 2300, 2250 to 2350, 2300
to 2400, 2350 to 2450, 2400 to 2500, 2450 to 2550, 2500 to 2600,
2550 to 2650, 2600 to 2700, 2650 to 2750, 2700 to 2800, 2750 to
2850, 2800 to 2900, 2850 to 2950, 2900 to 3000, 2950 to 3050, 3000
to 3100, 3150 to 3250, 3200 to 3300, 3250 to 3350, 3300 to 3400,
3350 to 3450, 3400 to 3500, 3500 to 3600, 3600 to 3700, 3700 to
3800, 3800 to 3900, 3900 to 4000, 4000 to 4100, 4100 to 4200, 4200
to 4300, 4300 to 4400, or 4400 to 4500 .mu.ghr/mL. In a study
conducted by administering the self-emulsifying composition at such
a timing as under fasting, before meals, immediately after meals or
after meals and at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose per individual of
3600 mg, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs
time curve as above may be specified to be: 1500 to 3000, 1800 to
3300, 2100 to 3600, 2400 to 3900, 500 to 1500, 1000 to 2000, 1500
to 2500, 2000 to 3000, 2500 to 3500, 3000 to 4000, 500 to 1000, 750
to 1250, 1000 to 1500, 1250 to 1750, 1500 to 2000, 1750 to 2250,
2000 to 2500, 2250 to 2750, 2500 to 3000, 2750 to 3250, 3000 to
3500, 3250 to 3750, 3500 to 4000, 3750 to 4250, 4000 to 4500, 4250
to 4750, 4500 to 5000, 500 to 700, 600 to 800, 700 to 900, 800 to
1000, 900 to 1100, 1000 to 1200, 1100 to 1300, 1200 to 1400, 1300
to 1500, 1400 to 1600, 1500 to 1700, 1600 to 1800, 1700 to 1900,
1800 to 2000, 1900 to 2100, 2000 to 2200, 2100 to 2300, 2200 to
2400, 2300 to 2500, 2400 to 2600, 2500 to 2700, 2600 to 2800, 2700
to 2900, 2800 to 3000, 2900 to 3100, 3000 to 3200, 3100 to 3300,
3200 to 3400, 3300 to 3500, 3400 to 3600, 3500 to 3700, 3600 to
3800, 3700 to 3900, 3800 to 4000, 3900 to 4100, 4000 to 4200, 4100
to 4300, 4200 to 4400, 4300 to 4500, 500 to 600, 550 to 650, 600 to
700, 650 to 750, 700 to 800, 750 to 850, 800 to 900, 850 to 950,
900 to 1000, 950 to 1050, 1000 to 1100, 1050 to 1150, 1100 to 1200,
1150 to 1250, 1200 to 1300, 1250 to 1350, 1300 to 1400, 1350 to
1450, 1400 to 1500, 1450 to 1550, 1500 to 1600, 1550 to 1650, 1600
to 1700, 1650 to 1750, 1700 to 1800, 1750 to 1850, 1800 to 1900,
1850 to 1950, 1900 to 2000, 1950 to 2050, 2000 to 2100, 2050 to
2150, 2100 to 2200, 2150 to 2250, 2200 to 2300, 2250 to 2350, 2300
to 2400, 2350 to 2450, 2400 to 2500, 2450 to 2550, 2500 to 2600,
2550 to 2650, 2600 to 2700, 2650 to 2750, 2700 to 2800, 2750 to
2850, 2800 to 2900, 2850 to 2950, 2900 to 3000, 2950 to 3050, 3000
to 3100, 3150 to 3250, 3200 to 3300, 3250 to 3350, 3300 to 3400,
3350 to 3450, 3400 to 3500, 3500 to 3600, 3600 to 3700, 3700 to
3800, 3800 to 3900, 3900 to 4000, 4000 to 4100, 4100 to 4200, 4200
to 4300, 4300 to 4400, or 4400 to 4500 .mu.ghr/mL.
[0272] The time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration is attained in a study conducted by administering the
self-emulsifying composition at such a timing as under fasting,
before meals, immediately after meals or after meals and at an
.omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose per individual of 1800 mg to 3600 mg or
of 1800 mg to 4000 mg may be specified to be: 0 to 5.5, 1 to 6, 1.5
to 6.5, 2 to 7, 0 to 2, 1 to 3, 2 to 4, 3 to 5, 4 to 6, 5 to 7, 6
to 8, 7 to 9, 8 to 10, 0 to 1, 0.5 to 1.5, 1 to 2, 1.5 to 2.5, 2 to
3, 2.5 to 3.5, 3 to 4, 3.5 to 4.5, 4 to 5, 4.5 to 5.5, 5 to 6, 5.5
to 6.5, 6 to 7, 6.5 to 7.5, 7 to 8, 7.5 to 8.5, 8 to 9, 8.5 to 9.5,
9 to 10, 0 to 0.5, 0.3 to 0.8, 0.5 to 1, 0.8 to 1.3, 1 to 1.5, 1.3
to 1.8, 1.5 to 2, 1.8 to 2.3, 2 to 2.5, 2.3 to 2.8, 2.5 to 3, 2.8
to 3.3, 3 to 3.5, 3.3 to 3.8, 3.5 to 4, 3.8 to 4.3, 4 to 4.5, 4.3
to 4.8, 4.5 to 5, 4.8 to 5.3, 5 to 5.5, 5.3 to 5.8, 5.5 to 6, 5.8
to 6.3, 6 to 6.5, 6.3 to 6.8, 6.5 to 7, 6.8 to 7.3, 7 to 7.5, 7.3
to 7.8, 7.5 to 8, 7.8 to 8.3, 8 to 8.5, 8.3 to 8.8, 8.5 to 9, 8.8
to 9.3, 9 to 9.5, 9.3 to 9.8, or 9.5 to 10 hours.
[0273] The plasma .omega.3 PUFA elimination half-life in a study
conducted by administering the self-emulsifying composition at such
a timing as under fasting, before meals, immediately after meals or
after meals and at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose per individual of
1800 mg to 3600 mg or of 1800 mg to 4000 mg may be specified to be:
0 to 70, 10 to 80, 20 to 90, 30 to 100, 40 to 110, 0 to 50, 25 to
75, 50 to 100, 75 to 125, 100 to 150, 125 to 175, 150 to 200, 0 to
20, 10 to 30, 20 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to 80, 70
to 90, 80 to 100, 90 to 110, 100 to 120, 110 to 130, 120 to 140,
130 to 150, 0 to 10, 5 to 15, 10 to 20, 15 to 25, 20 to 30, 25 to
35, 30 to 40, 35 to 45, 40 to 50, 45 to 55, 50 to 60, 55 to 65, 60
to 70, 65 to 75, 70 to 80, 75 to 85, 80 to 90, 85 to 95, 90 to 100,
95 to 105, 100 to 110, 105 to 115, or 110 to 120 hours.
[0274] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans at such a timing as
under fasting, before meals, immediately after meals or after meals
and at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose of 1800 mg or 2000 mg, the
maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration in steady state (Css
max) is preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least
100 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at least 150 .mu.g/mL, still
more preferably at least 200 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least
300 .mu.g/mL, as calculated with correction by subtraction of the
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration before the administration of the
composition. Alternatively, the Css max is preferably 10 to 1000
.mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 500 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably
50 to 400 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 100 to 300 .mu.g/mL, and
most preferably 150 to 200 .mu.g/mL. The minimum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration at steady state (Css min) is preferably at least
10 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 20 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably at least 30 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at least 40
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL. Alternatively,
the Css min is preferably 10 to 500 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to
250 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 40 to 200 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 60 to 150 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably 75 to 95
.mu.g/mL. The average plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration at steady
state (Css ave) is preferably at least 30 .mu.g/mL, more preferably
at least 60 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at least 90 .mu.g/mL,
still more preferably at least 120 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably at
least 150 .mu.g/mL. Alternatively, the Css ave is preferably 10 to
700 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 500 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 50 to 300 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 100 to 200
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably 130 to 150 .mu.g/mL.
[0275] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans at such a timing as
under fasting, before meals, immediately after meals or after meals
and at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose of 3600 mg or 4000 mg, the
maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration in steady state (Css
max) is preferably at least 100 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least
200 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at least 250 .mu.g/mL, still
more preferably at least 300 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least
350 .mu.g/mL, as calculated with correction by subtraction of the
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration before the administration of the
composition. Alternatively, the Css max is preferably 10 to 1000
.mu.g/mL, more preferably 100 to 800 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably 200 to 600 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 250 to 500
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably 350 to 400 .mu.g/mL. The minimum
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration at steady state (Css min) is
preferably at least 50 .mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 100
.mu.g/mL, still more preferably at least 150 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably at least 170 .mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least 200
.mu.g/mL. Alternatively, the Css min is preferably 10 to 500
.mu.g/mL, more preferably 20 to 250 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably
40 to 200 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 60 to 150 .mu.g/mL, and
most preferably 75 to 95 .mu.g/mL. The average plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration at steady state (Css ave) is preferably at least 30
.mu.g/mL, more preferably at least 60 .mu.g/mL, still more
preferably at least 90 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably at least 120
.mu.g/mL, and most preferably at least 5150 .mu.g/mL.
Alternatively, the Css ave is preferably 10 to 700 .mu.g/mL, more
preferably 20 to 500 .mu.g/mL, still more preferably 50 to 300
.mu.g/mL, still more preferably 100 to 200 .mu.g/mL, and most
preferably 130 to 150 .mu.g/mL.
[0276] In a pharmacokinetic study conducted by orally administering
the self-emulsifying composition to humans at such a timing as
under fasting, before meals, immediately after meals or after meals
and at an .omega.3 PUFA or EPA dose per individual of 500 mg, 1000
mg, 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3600 mg, 4000 mg, 6000 mg or 8000 mg, the
maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration in steady state (Css
max), the minimum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration in steady
state (Css min) and the average plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration
in steady state (Css ave) as calculated with correction by
subtraction of the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration before the
administration of the composition are not particularly limited,
while each of them may be specified to be: 10 to 110, 20 to 120, 30
to 130, 40 to 140, 50 to 150, 60 to 160, 70 to 170, 80 to 180, 90
to 190, 100 to 200, 110 to 210, 120 to 220, 130 to 230, 140 to 240,
150 to 250, 160 to 260, 170 to 270, 180 to 280, 190 to 290, 200 to
300, 210 to 310, 220 to 320, 230 to 330, 240 to 340, 250 to 350,
260 to 360, 270 to 370, 280 to 380, 290 to 390, 300 to 400, 310 to
410, 320 to 420, 330 to 430, 340 to 440, 350 to 450, 360 to 460,
370 to 470, 380 to 480, 390 to 490, 400 to 500, 410 to 510, 420 to
520, 430 to 530, 440 to 540, 450 to 550, 460 to 560, 470 to 570,
480 to 580, 490 to 590, 500 to 600, 510 to 610, 520 to 620, 530 to
630, 540 to 640, 550 to 650, 560 to 660, 570 to 670, 580 to 680,
590 to 690, 600 to 700, 610 to 710, 620 to 720, 630 to 730, 640 to
740, 650 to 750, 660 to 760, 670 to 770, 680 to 780, 690 to 790,
700 to 800, 810 to 910, 820 to 920, 830 to 930, 840 to 940, 850 to
950, 860 to 960, 870 to 970, 880 to 980, 890 to 990, 900 to 1000,
10 to 30, 20 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to 80, 70 to
90, 80 to 100, 90 to 110, 100 to 120, 110 to 130, 120 to 140, 130
to 150, 140 to 160, 150 to 170, 160 to 180, 170 to 190, 180 to 200,
190 to 210, 200 to 220, 210 to 230, 220 to 240, 230 to 250, 240 to
260, 250 to 270, 260 to 280, 270 to 290, 280 to 300, 290 to 310,
300 to 320, 310 to 330, 320 to 340, 330 to 350, 340 to 360, 350 to
370, 360 to 380, 370 to 390, 380 to 400, 390 to 410, 400 to 420,
410 to 430, 420 to 440, 430 to 450, 440 to 460, 450 to 470, 460 to
480, 470 to 490, 480 to 500, 490 to 510, 500 to 520, 510 to 530,
520 to 540, 530 to 550, 540 to 560, 550 to 570, 560 to 580, 570 to
590, 580 to 600, 590 to 610, 600 to 620, 610 to 630, 620 to 640,
630 to 650, 640 to 660, 650 to 670, 660 to 680, 670 to 690, 680 to
700, 690 to 710, 700 to 720, 710 to 730, 720 to 740, 730 to 750,
740 to 760, 750 to 770, 760 to 780, 770 to 790, 780 to 800, 790 to
810, 800 to 820, 810 to 830, 820 to 840, 830 to 850, 840 to 860,
850 to 870, 860 to 880, 870 to 890, 880 to 900, 890 to 910, 900 to
920, 910 to 930, 920 to 940, 930 to 950, 940 to 960, 950 to 970,
960 to 980, 970 to 990, 980 to 1000, 990 to 1010, 1000 to 1020,
1010 to 1030, 1020 to 1040, 1030 to 1050, 1040 to 1060, 1050 to
1070, 1060 to 1080, 1070 to 1090, 1080 to 1100, 1090 to 1110, 1100
to 1120, 1110 to 1130, 1120 to 1140, 1130 to 1150, 1140 to 1160,
1150 to 1170, 1160 to 1180, 1170 to 1190, or 1180 to 1200.
[0277] The present invention may be defined by a combination of two
or more selected from among the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration, the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration 24 hours
after the administration, the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve from zero to 72 hours after the
administration, the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration is attained, and the plasma .omega.3 PUFA elimination
half-life.
[0278] By administration, the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention is preferably capable of improving (reducing) at
least one parameter selected from TG, T-cho, LDL-C, non-HDL-C,
VLDL-C, VLDL-TG, oxidized LDL, small dense LDL, remnant-like
lipoprotein cholesterol, ApoB, ApoCIII, lipoprotein (a), Lp-PLA2,
CETP activity, hs-CRP, plasma phospholipid, free fatty acid,
fasting blood glucose, HbAlc, HOMA-IR, intercellular adhesion
molecule-1, IL-6, PAI-1, creatinine, AST, ALT, uric acid,
8-isoprostane, TXA2 and LTB2 and the metabolites thereof (HETE),
and the like. The self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention is also preferably capable of improving (increasing) at
least one parameter selected from HDL-C, apoA-I, apoA-I/ApoB ratio,
EPA in the plasma or serum, EPA in the erythrocyte membrane or
platelet membrane, and the like. The self-emulsifying composition
of the present invention is also preferably capable of reducing the
number of LDL particles, increasing LDL particle size, and
improving at least one parameter selected from ApoE genotype
abnormality, hemoglobin abnormality, hematocrit abnormality,
thrombocyte abnormality, and the like.
[0279] Particularly preferred is improvement (reduction) of at
least one parameter selected from small dense LDL, 8-isoprostane,
and TXA2 and LTB2 and metabolites thereof (HETE).
[0280] Preferably, the amount of .omega.3 PUFA absorbed upon the
administration of the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention is not saturated by the high dose administration, and the
maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration, the plasma .omega.3PUFA
concentration 24 hours after the administration, or the area under
the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve preferably
increases in dose dependent manner. When the composition is
administered before, immediately after or after meals at a doubled
EPA dose per individual within the range of 500 to 10000 mg (for
example, 3600 mg for a dose of 1800 mg, 4000 mg for a dose of 2000
mg, 8000 mg for a dose of 4000 mg, or the like), the value of the
maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration, the plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration 24 hours after the administration, or the area
under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve becomes
1.2 times, preferably 1.5 times, more preferably 1.8 times, and
most preferably 2.0 times higher.
[0281] When the .omega.3 PUFA is administered at a high dose, (for
example, at a daily individual dose of 4000 mg) in order to realize
the high therapeutic effects, the excessive amount that could not
be absorbed by human remains in the intestinal tract and this
invites side effects of lower gastrointestinal tract or the like.
In contrast, in the case of the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention, excellent absorption is realized even in the
case of the high dose administration as described above, and the
.omega.3 PUFA remaining in the intestinal tract will be reduced or
eliminated. The side effects are thereby reduced.
[0282] Examples of the side effects which can be reduced or
eliminated include side effects of lower gastrointestinal tract,
nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heartburn,
vomiting, anorexia, constipation, stomatiti, thirst, bloating,
flatulence, etc.
[0283] When the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention is administered at the timing other than during, after or
immediately after meals, that is to say, at such a timing as under
fasting (at least 8 hours, and preferably at least 10 hours after
the last meal), before meals, immediately before meals, between
meals or at bedtime, or to a patient suffering from reduced
absorption ability of the intestinal tract (elderly, patient with
an intestinal disease, patient after the intestinal surgery,
terminal cancer patient, patient taking a lipase inhibitor), the
results of the administration are preferably the same as other
occasions.
[0284] For example, when the self-emulsifying composition is
administered at a timing other than immediately after meals (for
example, before meals) and at an EPA dose per individual of 1500 to
4200 mg (for example, 1800 mg, 2000 mg, 3000 mg, 3600 mg or 4000
mg), the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration, the plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration 24 hours after the administration or
the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve
as calculated with correction by subtraction of the plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration before the administration of the composition is
preferably 50 to 150%, more preferably 60 to 140%, still more
preferably 70 to 130%, even more preferably 80 to 120%, and most
preferably 90 to 110% of the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration, the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration 24 hours
after the administration or the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve in the case of the administration
immediately after meals.
[0285] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
may also contain additives such as an emulsification aid,
stabilizer, antiseptic, surfactant, and antioxidant. Exemplary
emulsification aids include fatty acids containing 12 to 22 carbon
atoms such as stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic
acid, linolenic acid, and myristic acid and their salts. Exemplary
stabilizers include phosphatidic acid, ascorbic acid, glycerin, and
cetanols, and exemplary antiseptics include ethyl paraoxybenzoate
and propyl paraoxybenzoate. Exemplary surfactants include sucrose
fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid
esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene
alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene
alkyl phenyl ethers, and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl
ethers. Exemplary antioxidants include oil-soluble antioxidants
such as butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole,
propyl gallate, propyl gallate, pharmaceutically acceptable
quinone, astaxanthin, and .alpha.-tocopherol.
[0286] In addition, an adequate carrier or vehicle, a colorant, a
flavor, and optionally, a vegetable oil and an additive such as
non-toxic organic solvent or non-toxic solubilizing agent,
emulsifier, suspending agent (for example, Tween 80 and gum arabic
solution), isotonic agent, pH adjusting agent, stabilizer,
corrective, flavoring agent, preservative, antioxidant, or
absorption promoter commonly used in the art may be adequately
combined with the inventive composition to prepare an appropriate
pharmaceutical preparation.
[0287] More specifically, since the .omega.3 PUFA is highly
unsaturated, effective amount of an oil-soluble antioxidant, for
example, at least one member selected from butylated
hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, propyl gallate, propyl
gallate, pharmaceutically acceptable quinone, astaxanthin, and
.alpha.-tocopherol is preferably incorporated in the
composition.
[0288] Since the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention is also used for pharmaceutical application, it
preferably has good appearance, self-emulsifying property,
composition dispersibility, emulsion stability, and storage
stability. The appearance of the self-emulsifying composition is
such that the composition is not separated, clouded, solidified, or
precipitated, but transparent. The composition having poor
appearance may be pharmaceutically unsuitable, and such composition
may be insufficient in required performance such as
self-emulsifying property.
[0289] With regard to the storage temperature, the self-emulsifying
composition and the preparation prepared by encapsulating such
composition is preferably transparent at both low temperature and
high temperature in view of its use in cold district or hot
environment.
[0290] In the case of the self-emulsifying composition having good
self-emulsifying property, good dispersibility of the composition,
and high emulsion stability, the composition rapidly disperses upon
contact with water to form a microemulsion having adequate emulsion
droplet diameter. Absorbability of an oil such as EPA-E is related
to the size of the emulsion droplet diameter, and degree of the
absorbability upon administration to the animal can be estimated by
measuring the emulsion droplet diameter.
[0291] In the present invention, the "mean droplet diameter" is the
value of volume mean diameter among droplets of the emulsified
composition measured by using a particle size analyzer (for
example, Nanotorac manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) with water
being used for the dispersion medium according to standard
measurement method (for example, set zero time of 30 seconds,
measurement time of 30 seconds, average of three measurements). The
mean droplet diameter when the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention is dispersed in water or the like is not
particularly limited as long as it is up to 2 .mu.m, and the
product has good emulsion dispersibility, good emulsion stability,
or good absorbability, and the mean droplet diameter is typically
up to 1.5 .mu.m, more preferably up to 1.0 .mu.m, still more
preferably up to 0.5 .mu.m, and most preferably up to 0.3
.mu.m.
[0292] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
may be used by combining with a second effective component. The
second effective component may be any component adequately selected
depending on the intended type and severity of the disease as long
as it does not adversely affect the merits of the .omega.3 PUFAs.
Exemplary such second effective components include therapeutic
agents for hyperlipidemia, antihypertensives, antidiabetics,
antioxidants, blood flow improving agents, bile acid derivatives,
therapeutic agents for NAFLD and NASH, as well as progression
suppressants and therapeutic agents for cognitive impairment.
[0293] Examples of a favorable second effective component include
such therapeutic agents for hyperlipidemia as polyene phosphatidyl
choline, unsaponifiable matter in soybean oil (soysterol), gamma
orizanol, riboflavin butyrate, dextran sulfate sodium sulfur 18,
pantethine, and elastase. Also included are statins such as
pravastatin, simbastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin,
rosuvastatin and cerivastatin; fibrates such as simfibrate,
clofibrate, clinofibrate, bezafibrate and fenofibrate; lipolytic
enzyme inhibitors such as orlistat and cetilistat; resins such as
cholestyramine and cholestyramide; and ezetimibe.
[0294] Exemplary antihypertensives include: angiotensin II receptor
antagonists such as irbesartan, olmesartan medoxomil, candesartan
cilexetil, telmisartan, valsartan, and losartan potassium;
angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors such as alacepril,
imidapril hydrochloride, enalapril maleate, captopril, quinapril
hydrochloride, cilazapril hydrate, temocapril hydrochloride,
delapril hydrochloride, trandolapril, benazepril hydrochloride,
perindopril, and lisinopril hydrate; calcium antagonists such as
azelnidipine, amlodipine besylate, aranidipine, efonidipine
hydrochloride, cilnidipine, nicardipine hydrochloride, nifedipine,
nimodipine, nitrendipine, nilvadipine, barnidipine hydrochloride,
felodipine, benidipine, and manidipin; .alpha.-receptor blockers
such as tolazoline and phentolamine; .beta.-receptor blockers such
as atenolol, metoprolol, acebutolol, propranolol, pindolol,
carvedilol, and labetalol hydrochloride; .alpha.-receptor
stimulants such as clonidine and methyldopa; and diuretics such as
eplerenone, hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide.
[0295] Exemplary antidiabetics include: .alpha.-glucosidase
inhibitors such as acarbose, voglibose and miglitol; sulfonylurea
hypoglycemic agents such as gliclazide, glibenclamide, glimepiride
and tolbutamide; short-acting insulin secretagogues such as
nateglinide and mitiglinide; biguanide hypoglycemic agents such as
metformin hydrochloride and buformin hydrochloride; dipeptidyl
phosphatase-4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin, vildagliptin,
alogliptin, linagliptin, teneligliptin, anagliptin and saxagliptin;
thiazolidines such as pioglitazone hydrochloride and rosiglitazone
maleate; glucagon-like peptide 1 derivatives such as exenatide and
liraglutide; and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors such as
ipragliflozin, dapagliflozin, luseogliflozin, tofogliflozin,
canagliflozin and empagliflozin.
[0296] Exemplary antioxidants include such vitamins as ascorbic
acid (vitamin C), tocopherol (vitamin E) and tocopherol nicotinate
ester, N-acetylcysteine, and probucol.
[0297] Exemplary blood flow improving agents include cilostazol,
ticlopidine hydrochloride, alprostadil, limaprost, beraprost
sodium, sarpogrelate hydrochloride, argatroban, naftidrofuryl,
isoxsuprine hydrochloride, batroxobin, dihydroergotoxine mesylate,
tolazoline hydrochloride, hepronicate, and shimotsuto extract.
[0298] Exemplary bile acid derivatives include ursodeoxycholic
acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, bile powder, deoxycholic acid, cholic
acid, bile extract, bear bile, oriental bezoar, and dehydrocholic
acid. Favorable examples are biotin (vitamin B7), cyanocobalamin
(vitamin B12), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folic acid (vitamin
B9), thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K,
tyrosine, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), branched amino acids such as
leucine, isoleucine and valine, calcium, iron, zinc, copper,
magnesium, and the like. Also favorable are such ingredients of
foods for specified health use and foods with nutrient function
claims as soybean proteins, chitosan, low molecular-weight sodium
alginate, dietary fiber derived from psyllium seed husks, soybean
peptides bound to phospholipids, plant sterol esters, plant stanol
esters, diacylglycerol, globin proteolysis products, and tea
catechin.
[0299] Exemplary therapeutic agents for NAFLD and NASH include the
statins such as pravastatin, simbastatin, atorvastatin,
fluvastatin, pitavastatin, rosuvastatin and cerivastatin; the
angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as irbesartan, olmesartan
medoxomil, candesartan lexetil, telmisartan, valsartan, and
losartan potassium; the biguanide hypoglycemic agents such as
metformin hydrochloride and buformin hydrochloride; and the
thiazolidines such as pioglizone hydrochloride and rosiglitazone
maleate as mentioned above, as well as aspirin and farnesoid X
receptor (hereafter abbreviated as FXR) ligands such as
ursodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and obeticholic
acid.
[0300] Exemplary progression suppressants and therapeutic agents
for cognitive impairment include acetylcholineesterase inhibitors
such as donepezil hydrochloride and galantamine hydrobromide; NMDA
receptor inhibitors such as memantine hydrochloride; antiplatelets
such as aspirin, clopidogrel sulfate, cilostazol, and ticlopidine
hydrochloride; and factor Xa inhibitors such as rivaroxaban and
apixaban. In addition, the therapeutic agents for hyperlipidemia,
antihypertensives, antidiabetics, antioxidants and blood flow
improving agents as mentioned above are also usable as progression
suppressants and therapeutic agents for cognitive impairment.
[0301] To realize pharmacological actions of the .omega.3 PUFA, the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention preferably
has at least one merit selected from good appearance, good
self-emulsifying property, high composition dispersibility, high
emulsion stability, high storage stability (including the stability
at low and high temperatures), high absorbability, in particular
high absorbability and high absorption speed under fasting
conditions, absorbability independent of diet, convenience to
patients taking the composition, reduction in side effects, and a
preparation of easy compliance.
[0302] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is
well adapted for use as a therapeutic agent for treating various
diseases of animals, mammals in particular, that is to say, is
usable as, for instance, therapeutic agent for dyslipidemia
(hypercholesterolemia, LDL hypercholesterolemia, non-HDL
hypercholesterolemia, VLDL hypercholesterolemia, HDL
hypocholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, apo B
hyperlipoproteinemia, apo A-I hypolipoproteinemia, increased LDL
particle number-emia, small LDL particle size-emia, hyper-oxidized
LDL-emia, hyper-small dense LDL-emia, hyper-RLP-C-emia,
hypo-apoA-I/ApoB ratio-emia, hyper-ApoCIII-emia, dys-ApoE
genotype-emia, hyper-lipoprotein (a)-emia, hyper-Lp-PLA2-emia,
hyper-CETP activity-emia, hyper-hs-CRP-emia, hypo-EPA-emia (the
state wherein EPA value in plasma, serum, erythrocyte membrane,
platelet membrane is low), hyper-free fatty acidemia),
hyper-fasting glucose-emia, hyper-HbAlc-emia, hyper-HOMA-IR-emia,
hyper-intercellular adhesion molecule-1-emia, hyper-IL-6-emia,
hyper-PAI-1-emia, hypercreatininemia, hyper-AST-emia,
hyper-ALT-emia, hyper-uric acidemia, hyper-8-isoprostane-emia,
hyper-TXA2-emia, hyper-LTB2-emia, and so forth), therapeutic agent
for postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, anti-arteriosclerotic,
platelet aggregation suppressant, therapeutic agent for peripheral
circulatory insufficiency, prophylactic agent for cardiovascular
events, therapeutic agent for inflammatory disease (NAFLD, NASH,
and so forth), progression suppressant and therapeutic agent for
cognitive impairment (dementia of the Alzheimer's type,
cerebrovascular dementia, mixed type of dementia, and so forth),
anticancer agent, and therapeutic agent for central disease
(depression, depressive condition, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and so forth). In the
treatment of the diseases as above, the inventive self-emulsifying
composition is not particularly limited in frequency of
administration per day, and is preferably administered one time a
day at the entire daily dose or two or three times a day at divided
doses, with one or two time administration per day being more
preferable and one time administration per day most preferable.
[0303] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is
particularly effective for the amelioration or treatment of
dyslipidemia and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, and the
prevention of their recurrence or progression to metabolic
syndrome, cardiocerebrovascular events, and ulcer or gangrene at a
limb distal end. Exemplary mammals include human, domestic animals
such as cattle, horse, and pig, and companion animals such as dog,
cat, rabbit, rat, and mouse, and the preferred is human. More
specifically, the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention is anticipated to show ameliorating or therapeutic
effects for dyslipidemia and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia in
patients with dyslipidemia suffering from increase in the blood
lipid, exhibiting insulin resistance or suffering from increase in
the blood pressure, such as metabolic syndrome patients.
EXAMPLES
[0304] Next, the present invention is described in further detail
by referring to the following Examples and Comparative Examples
which by no means limit the scope of the invention.
Example 1
[0305] 0.09 g of water, 0.53 g of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan
oleate, 0.39 g of soybean lecithin, and 4.0 g of EPA-E were
weighed, sealed, and mixed while heating to about 70.degree. C. to
thereby prepare the self-emulsifying composition. The
self-emulsifying composition was sealed after purging with
nitrogen, and stored at room temperature until the evaluation was
conducted. Formulation of the self-emulsifying composition is shown
in Table 1.
Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2
[0306] The self-emulsifying compositions of Examples 2 to 8 and the
compositions of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were prepared and
stored by repeating the method of Example 1 so that the
compositional ratios were as shown in Table 1. Formulations of the
self-emulsifying compositions and the compositions are shown in
Table 1.
Comparative Examples 3 and 4
[0307] The compositions of Comparative Examples 3 and 4 were
prepared and stored by repeating the method of Example 1 so that
the compositional ratios were as shown in Table 1. Formulations of
the compositions are shown in Table 1.
[0308] The self-emulsifying compositions and the compositions of
Comparative Examples as produced by the method as described above
were each encapsulated in the capsule containing gelatin as its
main component.
Test Example 1 <Evaluation of Appearance>
[0309] The self-emulsifying compositions and the compositions of
Comparative Examples as produced by the above production method
were allowed to stand, and after about 1 hour, their appearance was
evaluated. When the composition was homogeneous due to the good
compatibility, the composition was evaluated as "transparent." The
composition was evaluated as "separated" when the separation was
observed, and as "cloudy" when opacity was observed.
[0310] The results are shown in Table 1.
Test Example 2 <Evaluation of Self-Emulsifying Property>
[0311] The self-emulsifying compositions and the compositions of
Comparative Examples as produced by the above production method
were evaluated for self-emulsifying property by adding 10 .mu.L of
each composition dropwise to 5 mL of purified water or first fluid
for dissolution test of Japanese Pharmacopeia at 37.degree. C. in
the test tube. The composition which spontaneously emulsified just
by the dropwise addition was evaluated as "good," and the case
which did not become an emulsion just by the dropwise addition was
evaluated as "poor." The composition was then lightly stirred under
consistent condition, and examined for other properties. With
regard to the dispersibility of the composition, the composition
was evaluated as "good" when dispersed and as "poor" when the
composition was partly left undispersed as a mass. With regard to
the emulsion stability, the composition was evaluated as "good"
when no oil separation was observed, and as "poor" when oil
separation was observed. It is to be noted that the compositions
which were not evaluated as "transparent" in the appearance
evaluation were not evaluated in such properties since
inhomogeneous compositions were conceived to be inadequate for
property evaluation.
[0312] The results are shown in Table 1.
Test Example 3 <Evaluation of Emulsion Droplet Diameter>
[0313] Using about 1.5 mL of the emulsified composition as obtained
in Test Example 2, the mean droplet diameter (volume mean diameter)
was measured by a particle size analyzer (Nanotorac, manufactured
by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) using water as a dispersion medium.
Test Example 4 <Evaluation of the Appearance after Storage Under
Severe Conditions>
[0314] The compositions which were evaluated as "transparent" or
"cloudy" in Test Example 1 were allowed to stand and stored
overnight (for about 12 hours) at 5.degree. C. or 40.degree. C.
before their appearance was evaluated. When the composition was
homogeneous due to its good compatibility, the composition was
evaluated as "transparent." The composition was evaluated as
"separated" when the separation was observed, and as "cloudy" when
opacity was observed.
[0315] The results are shown in Table 1.
Test Example 5 <Pharmacokinetics in Beagles>
[0316] The produced compositions or capsules (Examples 1, 3 and 5)
were each orally administered to 6 male beagles (at the age of 2 to
6 years with the body weight of 8 to 13 kg, 3 Marshall beagles and
3 Nosan beagles) under fasting conditions, and blood EPA
concentration was evaluated. The test animals had been fasted since
18 hours or more before the administration, and each animal was
administered with the composition in an amount corresponding to 600
mg of the EPA-E. Blood was collected before the administration, and
0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours after the administration,
and plasma was separated to measure plasma EPA concentration by
LC/MS/MS (method in which a sample is isolated by liquid
chromatography, then subjected to mass spectrometry to conduct
separation and measurement thereon). The control group was
administered with the EPA-E stock solution encapsulated in a
capsule.
[0317] Table 1 shows the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration
(Cmax), the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs
time curve from zero to two hours (AUC.sub.0-2) and the area under
the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve from zero to
24 hours (AUC.sub.0-24) as calculated from the test results. In the
calculation of each parameter, correction was made by subtracting
the blood EPA concentration before the administration from the
measured blood concentration.
Test Example 6 <Pharmacokinetics in Crab-Eating Macaques>
[0318] The produced compositions or capsules are orally
administered to 6 crab-eating macaques (at the age of 2 to 5 years
with the body weight of 2.70 to 4.65 kg; Hamuri) under fasting
conditions, and blood EPA concentration is evaluated. The test
animals are fasted for 12 hours or more before the administration,
and each animal is administered with the self-emulsifying
composition in an amount corresponding to 45 mg/kg body weight of
the EPA-E. The control group is administered with the EPA-E stock
solution encapsulated in a capsule. Blood is collected before the
administration, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours
after the administration, and plasma is separated to measure EPA in
plasma by LC/MS/MS. From the test results, the maximum plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration (Cmax), the area under the plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve from zero to 12 hours
(AUC.sub.0-12), and the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve from zero to 72 hours (AUC.sub.0-72)
are calculated. In the calculation of each parameter, correction is
made by subtracting the blood EPA concentration before the
administration from the measured blood concentration.
[0319] In the animals having the compositions administered thereto,
values of blood concentration parameters, such as the Cmax and the
AUC.sub.0-12, are increased as compared with the control group.
More specifically, it is confirmed that, when the self-emulsifying
composition of the present invention is administered, amount of the
EPA absorbed is increased, and also, EPA absorption is rapid after
the oral administration.
Test Example 6-2 <Pharmacokinetics in Humans (Single Dose
Administration Test, Administration of 1800 mg)>
[0320] The capsule having the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention containing 80% by weight of EPA-E as its content
was orally administered to human (12 cases, healthy adult males of
20 to 40 years old with a body weight of 55.0 to 77.0 kg and a BMI
of 18.5 or more but less than 25.0) under fasting conditions to
evaluate the change of blood EPA concentration. The
self-emulsifying composition in an amount corresponding to 1800 mg
of EPA-E was orally administered in single dose to each human who
had been fasted since 10 hours or more before the administration by
using 200 mL of water in the morning under fasting. The blood was
collected 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 24,
48 and 72 hours after the administration. Immediately after the
collection, the blood was cooled on ice, and centrifuged at
2000.times.g at 4.degree. C. for 10 minutes to separately collect
the plasma. After having stored the resulting plasma at a
temperature not higher than -20.degree. C. in frozen state,
concentration of the EPA in the plasma was measured by LC/MS/MS
(method in which a sample is isolated by liquid chromatography,
then subjected to mass spectrometry to conduct separation and
measurement thereon).
[0321] The capsule having the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention containing 80% by weight of EPA-E as its content
was also orally administered to human immediately after meals, and
the measurement was conducted by repeating the procedure as
described above.
[0322] For the control group, the EPA-E stock solution (high purity
EPA-E (at least 96.5% by weight) containing no emulsifier or the
like and used with the same EPA-E amount as that of the
self-emulsifying composition of the present invention; the same
applying hereafter) filled in the capsule was orally administered
to human (12 cases, healthy adult males of 20 to 40 years old with
a body weight of 55.0 to 77.0 kg and a BMI of 18.5 or more but less
than 25.0) under fasting conditions (fasting since at least 10
hours before the administration), and the measurement was conducted
by repeating the procedure as described above.
[0323] Table 2 shows the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), the
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration 24 hours after the
administration (C.sub.24), the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve from zero to 72 hours (AUC.sub.0-72),
the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
attained (Tmax), and the plasma .omega.3 PUFA elimination half-life
(t.sub.1/2) as calculated from the test results. In the calculation
of each parameter, correction was made by subtracting the blood EPA
concentration before the administration from the measured blood
concentration.
Test Example 6-3 <Pharmacokinetics in Humans (Single Dose
Administration Test, Administration of 3600 mg)>
[0324] The test procedure of the Test Example 6-2 was repeated
except that the dose per individual was 3600 mg. This test was
conducted on 6 humans. Table 3 shows the maximum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration (Cmax), the plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration
24 hours after the administration (C.sub.24), the area under the
plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration vs time curve from zero to 72
hours (AUC.sub.0-72), the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3
PUFA concentration is attained (Tmax), and the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
elimination half-life (t.sub.1/2) as calculated from the test
results. In the calculation of each parameter, correction was made
by subtracting the blood EPA concentration before the
administration from the measured blood concentration.
Test Example 6-4 <Pharmacokinetics in Humans (Continuous
Administration Test)>
[0325] The capsule having the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention containing 80% by weight of EPA-E as its content
is orally administered to human (healthy adult males of 20 to 40
years old with a body weight of 55.0 to 77.0 kg and a BMI of 18.5
or more but less than 25.0) once a day immediately after morning
meals for 11 days to evaluate the change of blood EPA
concentration. The self-emulsifying composition in an amount
corresponding to 500, 1000, 2000, 40000, 6000 or 8000 g of EPA-E is
orally administered to each human by using 200 mL of water. Three
meals are to be taken daily. The blood is collected 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 8, 10, 12, 18 and 24 hours after the administration at days 1
and 11 of administration ("24 hours after the administration"
refers to "just before the administration on the next day"), and 24
hours after the administration at days 2 to 10. Immediately after
the collection, the blood is cooled on ice, and centrifuged at
2000.times.g at 4.degree. C. for 10 minutes to separately collect
the plasma. After storing the resulting plasma at a temperature not
higher than -20.degree. C. in frozen state, concentration of the
EPA in the plasma is measured by LC/MS/MS.
[0326] For the control group, a capsule having the EPA-E stock
solution filled in the capsule is orally administered to human
(healthy adult males of 20 to 40 years old with a body weight of
55.0 to 77.0 kg and a BMI of 18.5 or more but less than 25.0) in an
amount corresponding to 1800 mg of the EPA-E once a day immediately
after morning meals for 11 days, and change in the blood EPA
concentration is evaluated by repeating the procedure as described
above.
[0327] The capsule having the self-emulsifying composition of the
present invention containing 80% by weight of EPA-E as its content
is also orally administered to human under fasting conditions, and
the measurement is conducted by repeating the procedure as
described above.
[0328] From the test results, the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration (Cmax), the area under the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration vs time curve from zero to 24 hours (AUC.sub.0-24),
the time until the maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration is
attained (Tmax) and the plasma .omega.3 PUFA elimination half-life
(t.sub.1/2) at day 1 of administration and the plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration 24 hours after the administration (C.sub.24) at days
1 to 11 are calculated. The maximum plasma .omega.3 PUFA
concentration in steady state (Css max), the minimum plasma
.omega.3 PUFA concentration in steady state (Css min) and the
average plasma .omega.3 PUFA concentration in steady state (Css
ave) are also calculated. In the calculation of each parameter,
correction is made by subtracting the blood EPA concentration
before the administration from the measured blood
concentration.
Test Example 7 <Appearance of the Capsule>
[0329] The soft capsules obtained in the Examples were visually
inspected for the color and shape of the capsule and the property
of the capsule content after the completion of filling and
drying.
[0330] The capsules with change in the "color", distortion,
depression, or the like in the "shape", and cloudiness, separation,
or the like in the "property of the capsule content" were evaluated
as "poor," and the capsules without such problems were evaluated as
"normal."
[0331] The test results are shown in Table 1. In the Table below,
"-" means that the corresponding component was not added or that
the corresponding item was not measured.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Component Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex.
6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Filled in capsule Yes Yes Yes -- Yes Yes -- -- Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 80.0 75.0 80.0 80.0 80.0 83.0 80.0 80.0 Purified
water 1.7 1.1 1.2 1.2 2.0 1.0 1.2 1.2 Polyoxyethylene (20) 10.5
10.8 7.2 6.5 5.8 8.5 11.1 13.1 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyethylene --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- sorbitan trioleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil --
10.8 7.2 7.9 5.8 4.5 3.3 1.3 Polyoxyethylene -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-- (60) hydrogenated castor oil Soybean lecithin 7.8 2.4 4.4 4.4
6.4 3.0 4.4 4.4 Propylene glycol -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Total
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Test. Appearance
Transparent Transparent Transparent Transparent Transparent
Transparent Transparent Transparent Ex. 1 Test. Self-emulsifying
Good Good Good Good -- Good Good Good Ex. 2 property Composition
Good Good Good Good -- Good Good Good dispersibility Emulsion Good
Good Good Good -- Good Good Good stability Test. Purified water
0.44 0.34 0.27 -- 0.35 0.25 -- -- Ex. 3 at 37.degree. C. Emulsion
(.mu.m) droplet Japanese 0.36 0.29 0.22 -- 0.57 0.29 -- -- diam.
Pharmacopeia, 1st fluid, 37.degree. C. (.mu.m) Test. Stored at
Transparent Transparent Transparent Transparent Transparent
Transparent Transparent Transparent Ex. 4 5.degree. C. Appearance
Stored at Transparent Transparent Transparent Transparent
Transparent Transparent Transparent Transparent 40.degree. C. Test
Cmax 104.7 -- 128.7 -- 80.0 -- -- -- Ex. 5 AUC.sub.0-2 94.0 -- 97.8
-- 60.7 -- -- -- AUC.sub.0-24 617.8 -- 1036.3 -- 566.6 -- -- --
Test Capsule Normal Normal Normal -- Normal Normal -- -- Ex. 6
appearance Comp. Ex. 5 EPA-E stock solution Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp.
(Fasted Component Ex. 9 Ex. 10 Ex. 11 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4
control) Filled in capsule -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 80.0 80.0 83.0 80.0 80.0 75.2 80.0 Purified water
4.0 2.0 2.0 -- 8.0 -- 1.2 Polyoxyethylene (20) 5.1 -- 8.0 7.2 3.8
5.8 -- sorbitan oleate Polyoxyethylene -- 5.8 -- -- -- -- --
sorbitan trioleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 5.1 5.8 -- 7.2 3.8 5.8
14.4 Polyoxyethylene -- -- 4.0 -- -- -- -- (60) hydrogenated castor
oil Soybean lecithin 5.8 6.4 3.0 5.6 4.4 6.5 4.4 Propylene glycol
-- -- -- -- -- 6.7 -- Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
100.0 Test. Appearance Transparent Transparent Transparent
Separated Separated Transparent Cloudy Ex. 1 Test. Self-emulsifying
Good Good Good Not Not Good Good Ex. 2 property evaluated evaluated
Composition Good Good Good Good Good dispersibility Emulsion Good
Good Good Good Good stability Test. Purified water 0.28 -- -- 0.15
-- Ex. 3 at 37.degree. C. Emulsion (.mu.m) droplet Japanese 0.32 --
-- 0.18 -- diam. Pharmacopeia, 1st fluid, 37.degree. C. (.mu.m)
Test. Stored at Transparent Transparent Transparent Transparent
Cloudy Ex. 4 5.degree. C. Appearance Stored at Transparent
Transparent Transparent Separated Cloudy 40.degree. C. Test Cmax --
-- -- -- -- 18.4 Ex. 5 AUC.sub.0-2 -- -- -- -- -- 11.3 AUC.sub.0-24
-- -- -- -- -- 76.6 Test Capsule -- -- -- -- -- -- Ex. 6
appearance
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Capsule Capsule Control preparation of
preparation of group, Test Example 6- Test Example 6- EPA-E Test
Example 2 (Dose, 1800 2 (Dose, 1800 stock 6-2 mg) mg) solution Meal
No Yes No Cmax (.mu.g/mL) 65.1 111.3 4.6 C24 hr (.mu.g/mL) 19.5
28.6 2.4 AUC0-72 hr 1266.0 1932.1 113.1 (.mu.g hr/mL) Tmax (hr) 5.2
3.3 10.8 t1/2 (hr) 31.2 42.6 71.7
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Capsule Capsule Control preparation of
preparation of group, Test Example 6- Test Example 6- EPA-E Test
Example 2 (Dose, 3600 2 (Dose, 3600 stock 6-3 mg) mg) solution Meal
No Yes No Cmax (.mu.g/mL) 174.2 184.5 3.6 C24 hr (.mu.g/mL) 36.4
37.7 1.2 AUC0-72 hr 2845.5 2615.9 113.7 (.mu.g hr/mL) Tmax (hr) 5.2
4.3 21.8 t1/2 (hr) 58.7 42.4 22.8
[0332] Example 1 is the composition containing polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid ester as the only emulsifier together with
certain amounts of lecithin and water, and as shown in Table 1,
this composition had good appearance as well as excellent
self-emulsifying property. This result indicates that the merits of
the present invention are realized by the composition containing
lecithin wherein the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester is
the only emulsifier.
[0333] Examples 2 to 10 are compositions containing polyoxyethylene
castor oil as an additional emulsifier. These compositions also
exhibited good appearance as well as excellent self-emulsifying
property as shown in Table 1.
[0334] Example 11 is a composition containing polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oil as an additional emulsifier. This
composition also exhibited good appearance as well as excellent
self-emulsifying property as shown in Table 1.
[0335] Comparative Example 1 is a composition not containing the
water, and this composition became separated. Comparative Example 2
is a composition containing 8% by weight of water, and this
composition also became separated.
[0336] In the present invention, water was used instead of adding
the ethanol or the polyhydric alcohol to thereby improve the
compatibility of the composition. The composition became separated
due to inadequate compatibility when no water was used, while the
composition still separated even with the use of water when the
amount of water was too much in relation to the amount of the
composition. In the meanwhile, the separation did not occur in
Examples 1 to 6 containing 1 to 4% by weight of water. These
results indicate that presence of a certain amount (approximately
0.5 to 6% by weight) of water is important for the good
appearance.
[0337] Comparative Example 3 is a composition not containing water
but containing polyhydric alcohol. As in the case of Example 1,
this composition had good appearance as well as good
self-emulsifying property.
[0338] However, the composition of Comparative Example 3 separated
after overnight storage at 40.degree. C., and this demonstrates
importance of adding a particular amount (approximately 0.5 to 6%
by weight) of water to the composition in view of improving the
appearance and the like.
[0339] Comparative Example 4 is a composition containing
polyoxyethylene castor oil for the emulsifier and not containing
the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and in the case of
this composition, the composition had cloudy appearance.
[0340] This demonstrates the importance of the incorporation of the
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester as the emulsifier for the
good appearance.
[0341] Examples 1, 3, and 5 show the kinetics when the
self-emulsifying composition was added to fasted animals.
[0342] In the animals having these self-emulsifying compositions
administered thereto, Cmax and AUC.sub.0-2 values which are the
parameters of the absorption speed were significantly higher than
those in the control group animals (under fasting) administered
with the EPA-E stock solution as a control. More specifically, it
was confirmed that, when the self-emulsifying compositions of the
Examples were administered, amount of the EPA absorbed until 24
hours after the oral administration increased, and also, EPA
absorption was rapid especially after the oral administration
compared to the control group.
[0343] Test Example 6-2 shows parameters when the self-emulsifying
composition of the present invention containing 80% by weight of
the EPA-E in an amount corresponding to 1800 mg of EPA-E and 1800
mg of EPA-E were respectively administered to human. Under the
fasting conditions, all of the parameters Cmax, C.sub.24 and
AUC.sub.0-72 were about 10 times higher in the case of the
composition of the Example (Cmax was 14.2 times higher, C.sub.24
was 8.1 times higher, and AUC.sub.0-72 was 11.2 times higher), and
rapid absorption of the EPA after the oral administration was
confirmed. Test Example 6-3 shows the parameters when the inventive
self-emulsifying composition in an amount corresponding to 3600 mg
of EPA-E and 3600 mg of EPA-E were respectively administered, and
the parameters were several tens times higher (Cmax was 48.4 times
higher, C.sub.24 was 30.3 times higher, and AUC.sub.0-72 was 25.0
times higher), confirming similar rapid absorption. It was also
confirmed that the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention was less likely to be affected by the meal, and that it
exhibits high EPA absorption irrespective of whether it is taken
before or after meals.
[0344] Accordingly, the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention would be a candidate for the self-emulsifying preparation
capable of rapidly and markedly increasing the blood EPA
concentration with rapid and effective pharmacological action even
if taken under fasting conditions, that is to say, taken before
meals, at bedtime or the like.
Self-Emulsifying Capsule Preparations of Examples 2-1 and 2-2 and
Capsule Preparation of Comparative Example 2-3
[0345] The self-emulsifying compositions and the composition of
Comparative Example 2-3 were prepared and stored by repeating the
procedure of Example 1 so that the compositional ratios were as
shown in Table 4. The formulations of the self-emulsifying
compositions are shown in Table 4.
[0346] 375 mg of the self-emulsifying composition was filled in the
capsule in Examples 2-1 and 2-2, and 441 mg of the self-emulsifying
composition was filled in the capsule in Comparative Example 2-3
(300 mg of EPA-E in both cases). In each case, the soft gelatin
capsule having the content filled therein was produced by rotary
method. Deformation of the capsule film was not noticed for the
self-emulsifying capsule preparations prepared by this method.
[0347] The compositional ratios of the encapsulated contents are
shown in Table 4.
Test Example 8 <Hardness of the Capsule>
[0348] The capsule preparations of Examples 2-1 and 2-2 and
Comparative Example 2-3 were measured in hardness. The preparations
after storage at 40.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 75% for
1, 2, and 4 weeks were also measured in hardness.
[0349] The results at the initial stage and the results after the
storage at 40.degree. C. for 1, 2, and 4 weeks are shown in Table
4. The preparation at the initial stage refers to the preparation
which has been stored at room temperature after its production
until the evaluation of the hardness. Since having been stored at
40.degree. C. as sealed in aluminum packages, the preparations were
not affected by the moisture.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Ex. Ex. Comp. Ex. 2-1 2-2 2-3 Component wt %
wt % wt % Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 80.0 80.0 68.0 Purified water 2.0
1.8 -- Polyoxyethylene (20) 5.8 5.8 7.1 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35
castor oil 5.8 5.8 7.1 Soybean lecithin 6.4 6.4 9.5 Zymolytic
lecithin -- 0.2 -- Tocopherol -- -- -- Sodium erythorbate
{circumflex over ( )} -- -- Propylene glycol -- -- 8.3 Total 100.0
100.0 100.0 Test Ex. 7 Initial stage 28.9 24.7 15.7 Hardness
40.degree. C., 1 week 25.5 22.3 9.1 (kgf) 40.degree. C., 2 weeks
24.5 20.5 8.9 40.degree. C., 4 weeks 27.4 22.3 8.1
[0350] Examples 2-1 and 2-2 are preparations produced by
encapsulating the self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention. These capsules had a hardness of 20 kgf or higher. The
hardness of the capsule is determined by measuring the hardness of
the capsule preparation containing the composition of the present
invention with a common hardness tester.
[0351] On the other hand, the composition of Comparative Example
2-3 contains a larger amount (8.3% by weight) of propylene glycol
(a polyhydric alcohol), and the hardness of the capsule preparation
was already inferior compared to Examples at the initial stage.
When the hardness was evaluated after storing in sealed environment
at 40.degree. C. for 1 to 4 weeks, substantially no change was
noticed in Examples 2-1 and 2-2, while, in Comparative Example 2-3,
the hardness declined to 57% of the initial hardness in 1 week, and
further declined with time.
Examples 3-1 to 3-252
[0352] The self-emulsifying compositions of Examples 3-1 to 3-252
are prepared and stored by the method of Example 1 so as to have
the compositional ratios as shown in Tables 5 to 21. It is noted
that the self-emulsifying composition of some of these formulations
were prepared and stored. Formulations of the self-emulsifying
compositions and the compositions are shown in Tables 5 to 21.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 3-6 3-7 3-8 3-9 3-10
3-11 3-12 3-13 3-14 3-15 Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 76 76 76 76 76 76
76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 Purified water 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 Polyoxyethylene (20) 12.2 11.8
11.3 10.7 10.0 9.2 8.3 12.3 11.8 11.3 10.7 10.0 9.2 8.4 12.3
sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 6.1 6.5 7.0 7.6 8.3 9.2 10.0
6.1 6.6 7.1 7.7 8.4 9.2 10.0 6.2 Soybean lecithin 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9
4.9 4.9 4.9 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.5 Total 100 100 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-16 3-17 3-18 3-19 3-20 3-21 3-22 3-23
3-24 3-25 3-26 3-27 3-28 3-29 3-30 Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 76 76 76
76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 Purified water 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 Polyoxyethylene (20)
11.9 11.4 10.8 10.1 9.3 8.4 12.3 11.9 11.4 10.8 10.1 9.3 8.4 12.3
11.8 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 6.6 7.1 7.7 8.4 9.3
10.1 6.2 6.6 7.1 7.7 8.4 9.3 10.1 6.1 6.6 Soybean lecithin 4.5 4.5
4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.1 4.1 Total 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-31 3-32 3-33 3-34 3-35 3-36 3-37 3-38
3-39 3-40 3-41 3-42 3-43 3-44 3-45 Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 76 76 76
76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 77 77 77 Purified water 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
1.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 Polyoxyethylene (20)
11.3 10.7 10.0 9.2 8.4 11.0 10.6 10.2 9.6 9.0 8.3 7.5 11.5 11.1
10.6 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 7.1 7.7 8.4 9.2 10.0
5.5 5.9 6.3 6.9 7.5 8.3 9.0 5.8 6.2 6.7 Soybean lecithin 4.1 4.1
4.1 4.1 4.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 Total 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-46 3-47 3-48 3-49 3-50 3-51 3-52 3-53
3-54 3-55 3-56 3-57 3-58 3-59 3-60 Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 77 77 77
77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 Purified water 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 Polyoxyethylene (20)
10.1 9.4 8.7 7.9 12.0 11.6 11.1 10.5 9.8 9.0 8.2 11.7 11.3 10.8
10.2 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 7.2 7.9 8.7 9.4 6.0 6.4
6.9 7.5 8.2 9.0 9.8 5.8 6.3 6.7 7.3 Soybean lecithin 5.1 5.1 5.1
5.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 Total 100 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-61 3-62 3-63 3-64 3-65 3-66 3-67 3-68
3-69 3-70 3-71 3-72 3-73 3-74 3-75 Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 77 77 77
77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 Purified water 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5
1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 Polyoxyethylene (20)
9.5 8.8 8.0 11.3 10.9 10.5 9.9 9.3 8.5 7.7 11.0 10.6 10.2 8.6 9.0
sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 8.0 8.8 9.5 5.7 6.1 6.5 7.1
7.7 8.5 9.3 5.5 5.9 6.3 6.9 7.5 Soybean lecithin 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.5
4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 Total 100 100 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-76 3-77 3-78 3-79 3-80 3-81 3-82 3-83
3-84 3-85 3-86 3-87 3-88 3-89 3-90 Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 77 77 77
77 77 77 77 77 77 78 78 78 78 78 78 Purified water 1.8 1.8 2.4 2.4
2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Polyoxyethylene (20)
8.3 7.5 10.5 10.1 9.7 9.2 8.6 7.9 7.1 11.0 10.6 10.2 9.6 9.0 8.3
sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 8.3 9.0 5.2 5.6 6.0 6.5 7.1
7.9 8.6 5.5 5.9 6.3 6.9 7.5 8.3 Soybean lecithin 4.7 4.7 4.9 4.9
4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 Total 100 100 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-91 3-92 3-93 3-94 3-95 3-96 3-97 3-98
3-99 3-100 3-101 3-102 3-103 3-104 3-105 Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 78
78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 Purified water 0.8 0.9
0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Polyoxyethylene
(20) 7.5 11.1 10.7 10.2 9.7 9.1 8.3 7.5 11.1 10.7 10.3 9.7 9.1 8.4
7.6 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 9.0 5.5 5.9 6.4 6.9 7.5
8.3 9.1 5.6 6.0 6.4 7.0 7.6 8.4 9.1 Soybean lecithin 4.7 4.5 4.5
4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 Total 100 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-106 3-107 3-108 3-109 3-110 3-111 3-112
3-113 3-114 3-115 3-116 3-117 3-118 3-119 3-120 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78
Purified water 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
1.5 2.4 Polyoxyethylene (20) 11.1 10.7 10.3 9.7 9.1 8.4 7.6 10.3
9.9 9.5 9.0 8.4 7.7 7.0 9.8 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil
5.6 6.0 6.4 7.0 7.6 8.4 9.1 5.1 5.5 5.9 6.4 7.0 7.7 8.4 4.9 Soybean
lecithin 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1
4.9 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-121 3-122 3-123 3-124 3-125 3-126 3-127
3-128 3-129 3-130 3-131 3-132 3-133 3-134 3-135 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 78 78 78 78 78 78 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79
Purified water 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
0.9 0.9 Polyoxyethylene (20) 9.5 9.0 8.6 8.0 7.4 6.7 10.3 10.0 9.5
9.0 8.5 7.8 7.0 10.7 10.3 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil
5.3 5.7 6.1 6.7 7.4 8.0 5.2 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.8 8.5 5.3 5.7 Soybean
lecithin 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.1
4.1 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-136 3-137 3-138 3-139 3-140 3-141 3-142
3-143 3-144 3-145 3-146 3-147 3-148 3-149 3-150 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79
Purified water 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5
1.5 1.5 Polyoxyethylene (20) 9.8 9.3 8.7 8.0 7.3 10.2 9.8 9.4 8.9
8.3 7.7 7.0 10.0 9.6 9.2 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 6.2
6.7 7.3 8.0 8.7 5.1 5.5 5.9 6.4 7.0 7.7 8.3 5.0 5.4 5.8 Soybean
lecithin 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
4.5 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-151 3-152 3-153 3-154 3-155 3-156 3-157
3-158 3-159 3-160 3-161 3-162 3-163 3-164 3-165 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79 79
Purified water 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.4 2.4
2.4 2.4 Polyoxyethylene (20) 8.8 8.2 7.5 6.8 10.1 9.7 9.3 8.8 8.2
7.6 6.9 9.1 8.8 8.4 8.0 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 6.3
6.8 7.5 8.2 5.0 5.4 5.8 6.3 6.9 7.6 8.2 4.6 4.9 5.3 5.7 Soybean
lecithin 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.9 4.9 4.9
4.9 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-166 3-167 3-168 3-169 3-170 3-171 3-172
3-173 3-174 3-175 3-176 3-177 3-178 3-179 3-180 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 79 79 79 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80
Purified water 2.4 2.4 2.4 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9
0.9 0.9 Polyoxyethylene (20) 7.5 6.9 6.2 9.4 9.1 8.7 8.2 7.7 7.1
6.4 9.9 9.5 9.1 8.6 8.1 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 6.2
6.9 7.5 4.7 5.0 5.4 5.9 6.4 7.1 7.7 4.9 5.3 5.7 6.2 6.7 Soybean
lecithin 4.9 4.9 4.9 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3
4.3 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-181 3-182 3-183 3-184 3-185 3-186 3-187
3-188 3-189 3-190 3-191 3-192 3-193 3-194 3-195 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80
Purified water 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2
1.2 1.2 Polyoxyethylene (20) 7.4 6.7 9.5 9.2 8.8 8.3 7.8 7.2 6.5
9.4 9.1 8.7 8.2 7.7 7.1 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 7.4
8.1 4.8 5.1 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.2 7.8 4.7 5.0 5.4 5.9 6.4 7.1 Soybean
lecithin 4.3 4.3 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7
4.7 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-196 3-197 3-198 3-199 3-200 3-201 3-202
3-203 3-204 3-205 3-206 3-207 3-208 3-209 3-210 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80
Purified water 1.2 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4
2.4 2.4 Polyoxyethylene (20) 6.4 9.5 9.1 8.7 8.2 7.7 7.1 6.4 8.3
8.0 7.7 7.3 6.8 6.3 5.7 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 7.7
4.7 5.0 5.4 5.9 6.4 7.1 7.7 4.2 4.5 4.8 5.2 5.7 6.3 6.8 Soybean
lecithin 4.7 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1
5.1 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-211 3-212 3-213 3-214 3-215 3-216 3-217
3-218 3-219 3-220 3-221 3-222 3-223 3-224 3-225 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81
Purified water 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9
0.9 1.2 Polyoxyethylene (20) 9.5 9.2 8.8 8.3 7.8 7.2 6.5 9.2 8.9
8.5 8.1 7.5 6.9 6.3 8.9 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 4.8
5.1 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.2 7.8 4.6 4.9 5.3 5.8 6.3 6.9 7.5 4.4 Soybean
lecithin 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3
4.5 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 20 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Component 3-226 3-227 3-228 3-229 3-230 3-231 3-232
3-233 3-234 3-235 3-236 3-237 3-238 3-239 3-240 Ethyl
eicosapentaenoate 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81
Purified water 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
1.8 1.8 Polyoxyethylene (20) 8.6 8.2 7.8 7.3 6.7 6.0 8.5 8.2 7.9
7.5 7.0 6.4 5.8 8.2 7.9 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 4.8
5.1 5.5 6.0 6.7 7.3 4.3 4.6 4.9 5.3 5.8 6.4 7.0 4.1 4.4 Soybean
lecithin 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.9
4.9 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100
TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 21 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Component 3-241 3-242 3-243 3-244 3-245 3-246 3-247 3-248 3-249
3-250 3-251 3-252 Ethyl eicosapentaenoate 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81
81 81 81 81 Purified water 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4
2.4 2.4 Polyoxyethylene (20) 7.6 7.2 6.7 6.2 5.6 7.7 7.4 7.1 6.7
6.3 5.8 5.2 sorbitan oleate Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 4.7 5.1 5.6 6.2
6.7 3.8 4.1 4.4 4.8 5.2 5.8 6.3 Soybean lecithin 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9
4.9 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100 100 100 100 100
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0353] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention is
excellent in at least one out of the compatibility (appearance),
the self-emulsifying property, the composition dispersibility, the
emulsion stability and the absorbability, and it, as being absorbed
rapidly even if taken before meals, suppresses increase of serum TG
after the meal. The self-emulsifying composition of the present
invention is useful for incorporating in various foods, or as food
for special dietary uses, food with health claims (food for
specified health use and food with nutrient function claims),
health food (supplement), or a pharmaceutical product.
[0354] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
has no or low content of the polyhydric alcohol, and therefore, the
composition is free from the problem of softening and deformation
of the capsule during the distribution or storage caused by the
polyhydric alcohol. In other words, the self-emulsifying
composition of the present invention is associated with reduced
risk of quality change.
[0355] The self-emulsifying composition of the present invention
has the quality as a pharmaceutical product capable of being stored
in a cold or hot location since the composition does not become
cloudy or separated even if stored in low or high temperature
environment.
* * * * *