Abstract:
The usage of compounds that improve fetal and neonatal outcome of preterm birth is described. These compounds are scavengers of ROS, their precursors, and agents that induce production of the scavengers. Examples of these compounds are glutathione, NAC, antioxidants, and spin trapping compounds. These compounds improve fetal outcome by inhibiting a fetal inflammatory process that may affect the fetus independently of prematurity. This fetal inflammatory response is characterized by increased cytokine and matrix metalloproteases (MMP) levels both in the mother and fetus and may be modulated by ROS at different levels. Targeting ROS formation with compounds such as specific antioxidants, glutathione or spin trapping compounds, their precursors, and/or agents which induce their production will suppress both the direct effects of ROS and its indirect effects through cytokines and MMPs already circulating in the system. This therapeutical intervention would limit the pathophysiologoical chain of events that ultimately leads to PPROM, preterm birth and/or adverse fetal and neonatal outcome.
Abstract:
Human H3 preprorelaxin, human H3 prorelaxin, human H3 relaxin, human relaxin analogues having a modified A chain and/or a modified B chain are described. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoded human H3 preprorelaxin, human H3 prorelaxin, human H3 relaxin, human relaxin analogues. Also described are methods for the treatment of conditions responsive to administration of H3 relaxin or analogues thereof.
Abstract:
The invention relates to modulators of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP)/Angiotensin IV receptor (AT4) activity, which have the ability to (a) increase local concentration of a wide range of peptides, thereby enhancing the activity of these peptides; (b) regulate glucose uptake into cells and tissues, thereby altering the metabolic or energy status of the cells or tissues; (c) trigger second messenger or signalling pathways associated with IRAP/AT4 function; and/or (d) increase cell surface expression of IRAP/AT4. The modulators may enhance learning and memory in both normal subjects and those with memory disorders. They also stimulate cellular proliferation while reducing apoptosis, thus stimulating tissue growth development, and affect angiogenesis. Thus they are also useful in tissue repair and regeneration. The invention also relates to methods of identifying modulators of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase activity.
Abstract:
A novel class of peptides selectively block class E voltage-gated calcium channels. The class is exemplified by HG peptides such as HG-1, which is isolated from the venom-producing cells of the tarantula Hysterocrates gigas. Also disclosed are methods of producing blocking class E channels using the peptides. HG peptides have utility, for example, in inhibiting oxytocin release and for use as anticonvulsants.
Abstract:
Endogenous and exogenous proteins, and fragments thereof, are chemically modified outside the body of an animal so that when injected into the animal they produce more antibodies against the unmodified protein than would injection of the unmodified protein or fragment alone. The chemical modification may be accomplished by attaching the proteins or fragments to carriers such as, for example, bacterial toxoids. The chemical modification can also be accomplished by polymerization of protein fragments. Proteins which can be modified include Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The modified polypeptide may be administered to animals for the purpose of contraception, abortion or treatment of hormone-related disease states and disease disorders, treatment of hormone-associated carcinomas, and to boost the animals' resistance to exogenous proteins, for example viral proteins.
Abstract:
An antagonist to, or an antibody (Ab) raised against, cpn10 or a recombinant cpn10 with the sequence: GSAGQAFRKFLPLFDRVLVERSAAETVTKGGIMLPEKSQGKVLQATVEAVGSGSKGKGGEIQPVSVKEGDK VLLPEYGGTKVVLDDKDYFLFRDGDILGKYVD is claimed. Also, claimed are: (1) an antagonist or Ab raised against a peptide derived from cpn10, or a peptide with the sequence: Ac-AGQAFRKLPL(C) AGQAFRKFLPLA2 A1AGQAFRKFLPL Ac-A1AGQAFRKFLPL (A1)EKSQGKVLQATA2 A1EKSQGKVLQAT where A1 and A2 are amino acid sequences that may be added to one or both ends of the peptides, and where the peptides may have a single amino acid deletion, addition or substitution; (2) suppressing cellular growth or enhancing immunological activity by admin. of a cpn10 antagonist or anti-cpn10 Ab to a subject; and (3) an assay for measuring anti-cpn10 Ab in a sample by: (a) reacting purified cpn10 with the sample (b) determining the amt. of Ab in the sample by determining the binding between the Ab and cpn10.USE--The cpn 10 antagonist or Ab can be used to terminate pregnancy, suppressing tumour cell growth or enhancing the immune system.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to inhibitors of COX-2, compositions which contain such compounds and methods of use. The compounds are represented by formula I: ##STR1## and include pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.
Abstract:
Preeclampsia and preterm labor in a pregnant female mammal are treated by administering thereto a combination of a progestin and a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, optionally in further combination with one or more of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a PGI.sub.2 -mimetic, a thromboxane (TXA.sub.2) inhibitor, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -agonistic and TXA.sub.2 -inhibiting properties, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -antagonistic and PGI.sub.2 -memetic activities, and a TXA.sub.2 antagonist.
Abstract:
There is disclosed compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that are a resolved R or S (preferably R) enantiomer of an .omega.-1 alcohol of a straight chain alkyl (C.sub.5-8) substituted at the 1-position of 3,7-disubstituted xanthine. The inventive compounds are effective in modulating cellular response to external or in situ primary stimuli, as well as to specific modes of administration of such compounds in effective amounts.