Abstract:
The invention provides a method of stimulating hair growth, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to an intradermal or subdermal site where hair growth is desired, the matrix composition comprising gelatin, such as denatured collagen, and a long chain carbohydrate, such as dextran. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method of treating a chronic ulcer, such as a diabetic ulcer, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogen matrix to the ulcer, the matrix composition comprising gelatin and a long chain carbohydrate. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration. The matrix may be injected into one or more locations within the ulcer, underneath the ulcer and/or around the periphery of the ulcer.
Abstract:
A cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix for long term storage and proliferation of cells is provided. The cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix may include an effective amount of polar amino acids, the polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. One embodiment of the cell culture medium comprises about 5 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. The hydrogel matrix comprises about 3 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. L-arginine and L-glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the cell culture medium. L-arginine, L-lysine, and L-glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the hydrogel matrix. A method of maintaining viability and functioning of a transplant is also provided. The method of maintaining viability of a transplant includes encapsulating the cells in a hydrogel matrix and injecting the encapsulated cells into the host organism. The matrix of the present invention may also be used to promote vascularization in a transplant site prior to injection of cells.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of preserving tissue viability during separation, the method including placing intact tissue in a cell culture medium. The cell culture medium includes at least one nitric oxide inhibitor. The tissue is mechanically separated into a plurality of physiologic tissue units, each unit maintaining physiologic cell-to-cell connections within the unit. The mechanical separation step may comprise cutting the tissue into slices and tearing the slices of tissue into a plurality of tissue units. Thereafter, the tissue units may be embedded in a hydrogel matrix for storage.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions for preventing an immune response in a mammal having an implanted transplant are provided. The compositions comprise non-immunogenic aromatic chains with interspersing aliphatic groups. Such compositions are useful as polymer coatings that protect against immune recognition.
Abstract:
An implantable device for the effective release of therapeutically desirable entities including hormones, wherein a matrix containing a cellular moiety which produces a therapeutically desirable entity is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylylene or other aromatic based moiety having a membrane portion with a porosity effective to block passage therethrough of immunogenic agents while permitting passage therethrough of nutrients for said cellular moiety and of the entity produced thereby; an improved matrix for the storage, manufacture, functional testing, and viral infection testing of cellular moieties comprising a collagen and aqueous nutrient based hydrogel with additives effective for limiting thermal and pressure trauma; and an improved method for the harvesting of cellular moieties from organ tissue by digesting the tissue in the presence of a nitric oxide inhibitor.