Pharmacokinetic indicators
Standard MPA steady-state measures [peak exposure (Cmax,ss mg/L), area under the concentration-time curve over the dosing interval of 12 hours (AUCτ,ss mg × h/L), morning and evening pre-dose concentrations (C0, C12, mg/L), apparent total body clearance (CLT/F,ss mL/min/kg)] were determined by the non-compartmental method (Kinetica 4.1, InnaPhase Corp., USA). We calculated also the Cmax/AUCτ,ss (1/h) ratio as an indicator of the absorption rate [20]. The analysis was based on dose-normalized concentrations (per 1000 mg) accounting for the fact that 1000 mg of MMF corresponded to 739 mg of MPA and 1000 mg of EC-MPS corresponded to 936 mg of MPA.