Microdose therapy
First Claim
1. A transdermal patch which releases an NO provider through the skin of an organism at a level which restores normal vascular tone to a local vascular bed exhibiting inappropriate vasoconstriction in the organism without inappropriately affecting systemic vascular tone of the organism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for treating vascular conditions associated with localized imbalance in vascular tone, which are hypothesized to be largely due to elevated endothelin (ET) are provided. The methods involve administration of nitric oxide (NO), agents which are able to provide NO, such as NO donors, agents which activate guanyl cyclase, such as YC-1, or agents which prolong the actions of endogenous NO or cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP; a 2nd messenger molecule), such as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. According to the invention, such agents are administered in minimal doses or microdoses by any route known in the art, so as to provide dosages which are about one half to about one twentieth (½ to {fraction (1/20)}) of those known to induce vasodilation in “normal” circulations. The low doses of these agents effectively alleviate vascular conditions associated with a reduction in NO production or an attenuation of NO effect, by restoring balance in vascular tone while exerting almost no systemic effect in normal vasculature.
94 Citations
36 Claims
- 1. A transdermal patch which releases an NO provider through the skin of an organism at a level which restores normal vascular tone to a local vascular bed exhibiting inappropriate vasoconstriction in the organism without inappropriately affecting systemic vascular tone of the organism.
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12. A transdermal patch which releases an NO provider through the skin of an organism at a level of ½
- to {fraction (1/20)} of the level required to induce vasodilation in normal circulation.
- View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A transdermal patch for treatment of sexual dysfunction and urogenital aging conditions which releases an NO provider at a level of ½
- to {fraction (1/20)} of the level required to induce vasodilation in normal circulation.
- View Dependent Claims (15)
- 16. A method of treating male erectile dysfunction comprising administering to a patient suffering from male erectile dysfunction a phosphodiesterase inhibitor at a level which enhances NO and does not appreciably alter normal systemic vascular tone in the patient so that male erectile dysfunction is treated.
- 23. A method of treating female sexual dysfunctions comprising administering to a patient suffering from a female sexual dysfunction a phosphodiesterase inhibitor so that the female sexual dysfunction is treated.
- 31. A method of treating Raynaud'"'"'s phenomenon comprising administering to a patient suffering from Raynaud'"'"'s phenomenon a phosphodiesterase inhibitor so that Raynaud'"'"'s phenomenon is treated.
Specification