Method for inhibiting expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase with tetracycline

US5919775A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• The Research Foundation of the State University of New York · US
• Hospital for Joint Diseases · US

Inventors

• Ashok Amin · Union, US
• Steven B. Abramson · Rye, US
• Lorne M. Golub · Smithtown, US
• Nungavaram S. Ramamurthy · Smithtown, US
• Thomas F. McNamara · Port Jefferson, US
• Robert A. Greenwald · Melville, US
• Howard Trachtman · New Rochelle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 16, 1998
• Grant date: Jul 6, 1999
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A50/30
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention is a method of inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) in an in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo biological system. The method employs a tetracycline compound to inhibit the production of NO and/or to inhibit the expression or activity of an inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Preferably, the tetracycline compound has inhibitory activity for metalloproteinases. Also it is preferred that the tetracycline compound is provided to the biological system in an amount which has little or no antibacterial activity in the system. Accordingly, preferred tetracycline compounds are tetracycline compounds which have be modified to reduce or eliminate their antimicrobial activity. The method can be used to treat medical conditions in mammals characterized by NO production mediated by iNOS, including, for example, inflammatory conditions.