Composition comprising omega-3 fatty acid source and glutathione stimulator for the treatment of immunedisorders and viral infections

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a viral infection or immune disorder as well as a composition for same. The method of treatment comprises administering to a patient having a viral infection or immune disorder a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an intracellular glutathione stimulator and an omega-3 fatty acid source.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the manufacture of therapeutic, nutritional compositions for treating immune disorders, inflammation, and chronic infections. Immune disorders comprise a group of conditions, characterized clinically by an increased susceptibility to infections. As a result, severe acute, recurrent, and chronic disease can occur which results from one or more defects in the immune system. See the Merck Manual, Fifteenth Edition. Autoimmune disorders relate to disorders in which the immune system produces autoantibodies to an endogenous antigen, with consequent injury to tissues. See the Merck Manual, Fifteenth Edition, page 319. The Merck Manual lists the following disorders as being highly probable of an autoimmune disorder: Hashimoto's thyroiditis; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Goodpasture's syndrome; Pemphigus; Receptor autoimmunity, Graves' disease, Myasthenia gravis, and Insulin resistance; autoimmune hemolytic anemia; and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. The following disorders are listed as probable of an autoimmune disorder: Rheumatoid arthritis; Progressive systemic sclerosis; Mixed connective tissue disease; Polymyositis; Pernicious anemia; Idiopathic Addison's disease; Infertility (some cases); Glomerulonephritis; Bullous pemphigoid; Sjorgren's syndrome; Diabetes mellitus (some); and Adrenergic drug resistance (some asthmatics). The following disorders are listed as possible of an autoimmune disorder: Chronic active hepatitis; Primary biliary cirrhosis; Other endocrine gland failure; Vitiligo; Vasculitis; Post-myocardial infarction, cardiotomy syndrome; Urticaria, atopic dermatitis, asthma (some cases); and Many other inflammatory, granulomatous, degenerative, and atrophic disorders. Viral infections, as the name implies, results from an infection from a viral agent. Acute viral infections result from exposure of the host to an infectious viral agent. The nature and clinical symptoms associated with the infection will vary depending upon the virus present. In many non-lethal acute viral infections, the host organism will mount an effective immune response to the invading virus and eventually clear the virus from its system entirely. Other viruses establish chronic infections in which viral replication and associated symptomatology occur continuously throughout the life of the host organism. A smaller number of viruses, however, establish a different life cycle pattern. Infections caused by these viruses are marked by an initial, occasionally asymptomatic infection during which viral replication occurs. This is followed by a period in which infectious viral particles are not produced. The viral genome remains within the cells of its host organism but does not replicate. This period of persistent, but non-active, infection has been termed latent viral infection. Viral latency has been clearly described among members of the Herpetoviridae family. There are six presently known herpes viruses: HSV-1; HSV-2; VZV; EBV; CMV; and HHV-6. It also appears probable that HIV-1, the virus responsible for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in humans, undergoes a period of latent activity. Schnittman, et al, The Reservoir for HIV-1 in Human Peripheral Blood is a T Cell That Maintains Expression of CD4 , Science, Vol. 245, pp. 305-308, 1989. Of clinical significance is the finding that this latent virus can, upon appropriate stimulation, reactivate. Reactivation gives rise to both the production of infectious viral particles and the appearance of symptomatology associated with recurrent infection. A variety of stimuli have been reported to reactivate latent viruses, including (but not limited to): fever; local trauma; exposure to sunlight or exogenous chemicals (including some medications); trigeminal nerve manipulation; menstruation; malnutrition; physical or emotional stress; concurrent infections with other pathogens; and alterations in immune status. EP-A-535 390 discloses a method for treating a latent viral infection comprising the steps of administering a non-cystine substrate that stimulates the intracellular synthesis of glutathione. J.Nutr. vol.122, p.716-722, March 1992 discloses a study into the effects of a diet containing marine oil that includes Omega-3 fatty acid, on the immune function and survival rate of mice having MAIDS. D1 teaches that the sole use of fatty acids alone may have an influence on the production of lumphokines. Medical Hypothesis vol.20, p. 1-8, 1986 discloses a study into a putative relationship between γ-linolenic acid-and eicosapentaenic acid (EPA)-deficiency and patient susceptibility to AIDS. D2 teaches that the sole use of these dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids may be considered for use as an anti-viral, anti-neoplastic or anti-AIDS agent. PNAS USA, vol.88, p. 986-990, 1991 discloses a study into the effects of glutathione, glutathione ester and N-acetyl-L-cysteine on the induction of HIV expression in the chronically infected monocytic U1 cell line. D3 teaches that the sole compounds, glutathione stimulators, may act as cellular antioxidants for use in the treatment of immune disorders. Acta virol. vol. 11, p.559-561, 1967 discloses a study into the effects of amino acids with sulfhydryl groups on herpes viruses in vitro . D4 discloses that reduced glutathione levels may inhibit herpes viruses. WO-A-9111117 discloses a dietary supplement including vitamins and minerals. In one embodiment, a dose of the supplement contains glutathione (1 to 20mg), cysteine (5 to 100mg) and Omega-3 fatty acid (1 to 1000mg). Glutathione and cysteine are used together in the supplement. The present invention provides (a) and (b) as follows:- (a) Use in the manufacture of a parenterally or enterally administrable, therapeutic, nutritional composition of an intracellular glutathione stimulator and omega-3 fatty acid source for the purpose of treating a viral infection in a patient. (b) Use in the manufacture of a parenterally or enterally administrable, therapeutic, nutritional composition of an intracellular glutathione stimulator and omega-3 fatty acid source for the purpose of treating an immune disorder in a patient. As used herein, chronic infections and chronic viral infections include viral infections, such as the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The composition can be administered either enterally or parenterally. For example, the composition can be administered parenterally as an emulsion or enterally as a diet to the patient. In an embodiment, the glutathione stimulator is chosen from the group consisting of: L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate; glutathione esters; glutathione; compositions rich in cysteine; and N-acetylcysteine. In an embodiment, the omega-3 fatty acid source includes marine oil. Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates graphically survival, by percent, of mice infected with MAIDS versus age in days for five treatment groups. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Compositions for treating viral infections and immune disorders are provided which include a therapeutically effective amount of an intracellular glutathione stimulator and an omega-3 fatty acid source. The ratio of intracellular glutathione stimulator to omega-3 fatty acid source is approximately 0.05 to about 1.25. Preferably, no less than 0.15% of the total calories of the composition (.36 g/day/1500 Kcal) is a glutathione stimulator. Preferably, no less than 1.5% of the total calories of the composition (2.5 g/day/1500 Kcal) is omega-3 fatty acid. The composition can be administered enterally as part of a diet. In this regard, the oral administration of the composition can include, with respect to the composition for stimulating intracellular glutathione, a cysteine-rich protein, hydrolyzed protein, or short peptide chain. This can include glutathione itself. As a protein, the intracellular glutathione stimulator must be at least 1.3% by weight cysteine. Therefore, as used herein, a "cysteine-rich protein" means a protein that is at least 1.3% by weight cysteine. This excludes the protein from being merely, casein, total milk product, or soy protein. On the other hand, whey (2.0%), egg white (2.5%), serum albumin (5.5%), and lactalbumin (5.8%) all have sufficient cysteine content, as well as mixtures including same. Besides cysteine rich proteins, a number of compounds are known for stimulating the intracellular synthesis of glutathione. In addition to glutathione, pursuant to the present invention, other substrates that stimulate intracellular glutathione synthesis can be used. Such substrates include L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, other thiazolidine-4-carboxylate analogs, and glutathione esters. L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, in vitro, is subjected to the action of 5-oxo-L-prolinase in the presence of adenosine triphosphate to produce S-carboxyl cysteine. S-carboxyl cysteine is then decarboxylated to produce cysteine. Cysteine is then metabolized to provide glutathione. See, U.S. Patent Nos.: 4,335,210; 4,434,158; 4,438,124; 4,665,082; and 4,647,571 the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference. As previously stated, the non-cysteine substrate can include a glutathione ester. For example, the compound can have the structure: wherein R is an alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferably, the methyl and ethyl glutathione esters are used. It is also preferred to use glutathione isopropyl ester. Glutathione esters are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,784,685, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, N-acetylcysteine can be utilized pursuant to the present invention to stimulate intracellular synthesis of glutathione. Additionally, a component of the composition includes an omega-3 fatty acid source. Such fatty acid sources can include either omega-3 itself or marine oils such as menhaden, mackerel, algae, herring, blue fish, anchovy, and salmon, which all have significant levels of omega-3 fatty acid. The omega-3 fatty acid source, of course, lends itself to use as an enteral or parenteral composition. For example, in a parenteral composition, the omega-3 fatty acid source would be present as part of a lipid emulsion. An example of such an emulsion is a 20% (g lipid/100 ml) lipid emulsion in which the triglyceride is derived from marine sources and is naturally enriched in n-3 fatty acids such as eicosopentenoic acid (EPA) and docosahesenoic acid (DHA). Another example would be a 20% (g lipid/100) lipid emulsion prepared from mixed triglyceride sources such as soy oil, marine oil, and medium chain triglycerides. The intent of the latter is to supply a balanced mixture of fatty acids for nutritional benefit. Omega-3 fatty acids are incorporated into the cell membranes, and also serve as precursors for prostaglandins of the PG 1 series, including leukotrienes. These are anti-inflammatory. Due to the incorporation of the omega-3 fatty acids in the cell membranes, the combination of omega-3 and the glutathione precursor enhances the transport of the glutathione precursor and analogs into the cells. Once in the cells, the glutathione precursors can act in a beneficial anti-oxidant capacity. Additionally, by reason of the increased production of less inflammatory prostaglandins and anti-inflammatory leukotrienes, there is less inflammatory activation of macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. Further, there is less production of cytokines and free radicals in view of the omega-3 fatty acids and a reduced need for the anti-oxidant activity of glutathione. The glutathione participates in leukotrienes and prostaglandin synthesis. Thus, the combination of the two components potentiate each other. By way of example, the composition as a parenteral treatment can include a 20% lipid emulsion prepared from triglyceride derived from marine oil or prepared from a mixed triglyceride source obtained by mixing marine oils with vegetable oils such as soy, safflower, rapeseed, or sunflower oil and medium chain triglyceride oils. This lipid emulsion would be administered to a patient parenterally as part of a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) regimen including protein as amino acids, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. The protein component of this parenteral nutrition regimen would be formulated to contain no less than 0.15% of calories as L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, as a part of the amino acid formulations. Preferably, the ratio of the intracellular glutathione stimulator to omega-3 fatty acid source is approximately 0.05 to about 1.25. By way of example, the composition as an enteral diet could include omega-3 fatty acid as approximately 2 to about 8% of the total calories and approximately 0.1% to 1% as cysteine or other intracellular glutathione stimulator. If, for example, menhaden oil is used as the omega-3 fatty acid source, because menhaden oil contains 21% omega-3 as the % of lipid, approximately 10 to 40% of the diet, by calories, would comprise menhaden oil. Likewise, because whey comprises approximately 2% cysteine, approximately 5% to 50% of the diet, by calories, would comprise whey. The cysteine content of some other products is as follows: glutathione 40%; lactalbumin 5.8%; serum albumin 5.5%; egg white 2.5%; and casein 0.3%. The remaining components of the diet can include other nutrients as set forth in the example. By way of example and not limitation, an example of the present invention will now be given. EXAMPLE 1 This experimental design was to measure the benefits of the present invention. Five treatment groups, 40 mice/group, 10 kept uninfected and 30 infected with MAIDS were considered after 8 weeks of the diets. MAIDS exposure was at two vital strengths: 100,000 and 200,000 units/mouse, via single injection. To study the survival rate of Murine Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (MAIDS) virus injected mice were maintained on the following dietary regimens. A. Casein 20% by weight as a source of protein and (I) Diet containing 20% by weight corn oil (II) Diet containing 20% by weight fish oil B. Lactalbumin 20% as a source of protein and (III) Diet containing 20% by weight corn oil (IV) Diet containing 20% by weight fish oil C. Casein 20% and Corn Oil 20% by weight diet - (V) Supplemented with .1% by weight L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two sources of protein and two sources of fat on the proliferation of MAIDS viral infection and survival. The experiments were designed to understand whether viral infection induced by MAIDS could be modulated by the above diets. Virus : Cell-free virus stock of LD-BM5 MULV were prepared and titrated before injecting to mice receiving the different diets. Virus stock were injected intraperitoneally in a volume of 0.1 ml at 4 weeks or 8 weeks of feeding the experimental diets. Virus stock of LP-BM5 eco and LP-BM5 eco+MCF was prepared from chronically infected SC-1 cells and virus pool containing 10 3-5 plaque forming units. Infections center assays in tissue culture were performed as required. Animals : Special pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice used in the study were obtained from Charles River Breeding Laboratories. Animals were housed in sterile cages and were fed (ad libitum) semi-purified diets described below. All animals were transferred to a clean cage and rack with fresh contact bleeding at least once per week. Environmental conditions for the study were maintained at approximately 75°F, 45% RH with 15 air changes per hour and a 12 hour light/12 hour dark cycle. Animals were monitored upon arrival and monthly thereafter under a surveillance program designed to detect enzootic and epizootic conditions in the mice. Animals which develop intercurrent health problems were evaluated by the in-house staff Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. All persons handling the mice entered the room dedicated to this study through a clean corridor. Animals with viral disease, splenomegaly, or tumors detectable on gross inspection were recorded and saved for pathological examination. Animals were weighed weekly and inspected daily while feeding - 7 days a week. Diet : The composition of the basal diet is shown in the table. The bulk of the diet, in powder form, was prepared and stored under (nitrogen) at -20°C. Fish oil was added weekly. Care was taken to prevent lipid peroxidation. All diets were stored under nitrogen at -20°C to prevent oxidation of oil. Diets were provided fresh daily before the dark cycle to decrease the duration exposed to air before consumption. Left over food was discarded. COMPOSITION OF BASAL DIET Ingredient Weight (% w/w) Vitamin-Free Casein or Lactalbumin 20.00 Stripped Corn Oil or Fish Oil 20.00 Corn Starch 25.05 Sucrose 25.05 Cellulose 5.00 D-L Methionine 0.30 Choline Chloride 0.10 Salt Mix (AIN-76) 3.50 Vitamin Mix 1.00 All diet components were purchased from ICN, except for the whey protein which was from Quest, but diet mixing was done by the laboratory kitchen. The attached figure and tables illustrate survival at the time the decision was made to kill all of the remaining survivors (age = 350 days). MAIDS TRIAL - LIFE-SPAN (DAYS) HIGH VIRUS DOSE # I: II: III: IV: V: CO/CA FO/Ca CO/Whey FO/Whey CO/Ca/P 1 156 156 167 167 159 2 156 156 168 174 161 3 156 161 176 175 161 4 158 165 179 176 170 5 160 167 181 182 184 6 162 176 185 184 185 7 174 182 190 185 189 8 181 189 193 193 189 9 181 190 200 197 197 10 182 193 203 198 207 11 182 204 203 203 212 12 193 207 210 231 231 13 198 235 212 246 238 14 239 262 218 268 264 15 322 329 Med= 181 189 193 193 189 (n)= (15) (15) (15) (15) (15) LOW VIRUS DOSE - LIFE-SPAN (DAYS) # I: II: III: IV: V: CO/Ca FO/Ca CO/Whey FO/Whey CO/Ca/P 16 199 184 181 210 206 17 199 193 181 225 215 18 213 196 185 229 233 19 214 222 198 262 253 20 224 234 207 264 260 21 229 253 214 274 22 241 281 218 23 248 313 218 24 257 238 25 304 263 26 312 27 28 29 30 --- --- Med= 248 313 218 (n)= (30) (29) (30) (30) (29) CO - Corn oil (20% by weight) FO - Fish oil (20% by weight) CA - Casein (20% by weight) Whey - Whey Protein (20% by weight) P - L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (.1% by weight) In the high virus dose study, there was a trend, although perhaps not statistically significant, for longer survival in the FO/Whey group over CO/Ca. In the low virus dose study, fish oil and whey together resulted in better survival than corn oil and casein (<0.025), but fish oil alone (II) or whey alone (III) did not show significant benefits. By way of example, and not limitation, contemplative examples of the present invention will now be given. CONTEMPLATIVE EXAMPLE NO. 1 Fifteen teenagers and young adults (13-28) with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were receiving intermittent immunosuppressive adrenocortical steroid therapy to control flare-ups of their autoimmune condition. After each acute episode was brought under control, their corticosteroid dose was gradually reduced over a period of weeks to months. During the periods of drug treatment, the subjects suffered from some of the typical adverse reactions of steroids: increased susceptibility to infection, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, hyperglycemia and others. Under the advice and supervision of their physician, the subjects modified their diets to incorporate half of their caloric intake in the form of an oral enteral supplement which contains 16% of its total calories as whey protein and 15% of total calories as a marine oil containing approximately 21% omega-3 fatty acids. Over the course of two years of observation of these subjects, they collectively had 27% fewer SLE flare-ups requiring hospitalization compared to a control group continuing with their typical diet. Furthermore, the flare-ups of the experimental group required less use of steroids to bring under control, and the subjects needed smaller doses over a shorter period of time to regain remission. CONTEMPLATIVE EXAMPLE NO. 2 A 36-year old HIV+ male patient presented at an in-hospital AIDS clinic with chronic diarrhea, thrush, lymphadenopathy, and weight loss of 35 pounds in two months (approximately 20%). Symptomatic treatment was undertaken including antidiarrheal medication and dietary counseling. The hospital dietary staff recommended feeding a standard enteral formulation administered by nasogastric tube. When seen at the clinic three weeks later, the patient had lost an additional four pounds and report continuing diarrhea. The enteral formula was changed to a formulation that contained 16% of calories as whey protein to increase the availability of the glutathione precursor cysteine. The new formulation contained a modified lipid content so that 16% of the calories were as a marine oil. The subject was advised to continue administration by nasogastric tube. When next seen at the clinic 24 days later, the patient reported a greatly improved gastrointestinal function with only rare episodes of diarrhea. He had gained 6 pounds and also reported that the pain associated with the swollen lymphatoid tissue was greatly diminished. At the patient's request, nasogastric feeding was discontinued and the whey protein/marine oil formulation was continued as a supplement to a dietary plan devised by the dietary staff. At the subsequent visits to the clinic over the next four months, the subject reported only rare episodes of diarrhea. Weight gain continued.

Claims: Use in the manufacture of a parenterally or enterally administrable, therapeutic, nutritional composition of an intracellular glutathione stimulator and an omega-3 fatty acid source for the purpose of treating a viral infection in a patient. Use according to Claim 1, wherein the viral infection is AIDS. Use in the manufacture of a parenterally or enterally administrable, therapeutic, nutritional composition of an intracellular glutathione stimulator and an omega-3 fatty acid source for the purpose of treating an immune disorder in a patient. Use according to any preceding claim, wherein the intracellular glutathione stimulator is chosen from the group consisting of: glutathione; L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate; glutathione esters; a composition that is rich in cysteine; and N-acetylcysteine. Use according to Claim 4 wherein the composition rich in cysteine is chosen from the group consisting of: whey; egg white; serum albumin; and lactalbumin. Use according to any preceding claim wherein the omega-3 fatty acid source includes marine oil. Use according to Claim 6 wherein the marine oil is chosen from the group consisting of: menhaden oil; mackerel oil; algae oil; herring oil; blue fish oil; anchovy oil; and salmon oil. Use according to any preceding claim wherein the ratio of intracellular glutathione stimulator to omega-3 fatty acid is approximately 0.05 to about 1.25. Use according to any preceding claim wherein the intracellular stimulator comprises at least 0.15% of the total calories and the omega-3 fatty acid comprises at least 1.5% of the total calories. Use according to Claim 1, wherein the composition includes, as a percent of total calories, 2 to 8% omega-3 fatty acid and 0.1% to 1% an intracellular glutathione stimulator. Use according to Claim 1, wherein the composition includes, as a percent of total calories, 2 to 8% omega-3 fatty acid and 0.15% to 1% an intracellular glutathione stimulator.

Inventors: MARK DAVID A, ROWE W BRUCE, MARK, DAVID A., ROWE, W. BRUCE
Applicants: TRANSCEND THERAPEUTICS INC, TRANSCEND THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61K31
IPC codes: A61K38, A61K31, A61P31