Method for in vivo reduction of nitric oxide levels and compositions useful therefor
US5847004A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A50/30
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the in vivo reduction of nitric oxide levels in a mammalian subject. In contrast to the inhibitory approach described in the prior art (i.e., wherein the function of the enzymes responsible for nitric oxide production is inhibited), the present invention employs a scavenging approach whereby overproduced nitric oxide is bound in vivo to a suitable nitric oxide scavenger. The resulting complex renders the nitric oxide harmless, and is eventually excreted in the urine of the host. An exemplary nitric oxide scavenger contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention is a dithiocarbamate-ferrous iron complex. This complex binds to .NO, forming a stable, water-soluble NO-containing complex having a characteristic three-line spectrum (indicative of a mononitrosyl-Fe complex) which can readily be detected at ambient temperatures by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The present invention relates to methods for reducing in vivo levels of .NO as a means of treating subjects afflicted with inflammatory and/or infectious disease. Nitric oxide scavengers are administered to a host in need of s…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.