Patent ID: 7678833
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
1. A method of treating a cysteine depletion dependent disease or condition selected from the group consisting of (a) the condition of hyperpigmentation associated with the disease of arsenicosis, (b) the condition of glycated hemoglobin associated with the disease of diabetes, (c) the condition of glycated low density lipoprotein associated with cardiovascular disease, (d) the condition of the loss of skeletal muscle associated with the disease of AIDS, (e) the condition of the loss of skeletal muscle associated with a disease of cancer, (f) the condition of super-optimal glycation products due to an insufficient rate of transglycation, (g) the condition of the loss of skeletal muscle due to physiological aging, or (h) the condition of muscle fatigue due to a high level of activation of the immune system said method comprising: administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising a membrane permeable thiol in the form of said membrane permeable thiol itself or in the form of said membrane permeable thiol disulfide bonded to protein that metabolizes in vivo to produce said membrane permeable thiol; wherein said membrane permeable thiol reduces extracellular cystine or a mixed cysteine disulfide to produce extracellular cysteine and is concurrently oxidized to a disulfide or mixed disulfide; wherein said disulfide or mixed disulfide is membrane permeable or forms a membrane permeable disulfide or membrane permeable mixed disulfide, which upon cell entry is reduced and re-forms said membrane permeable thiol.