1. A method of protecting blood vessels in a living organism from restenosis due to proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells following angioplasty or vascular surgery comprising the administration to the living organism of a composition containing an effective amount of a desferriexochelin. 2. The method of Claim 1 wherein the administration of the composition containing an effective amount of a desferriexochelin is by direct intraarterial delivery. 3. The method of Claim 1 wherein the administration of the composition containing an effective amount of a desferriexochelin is by systemic intravenous delivery. 4. A method of preventing or slowing the progression of atherosclerosis in a living organism comprising the administration of a composition containing an effective amount of a desferriexochelin to the living organism. 5. The method of Claim 4 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered orally. 6. The method of Claim 4 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered intravenously. 7. A method of preventing or slowing the progression of systemic hypertension in a living organism comprising administration of a composition containing an effective amount of a desferriexochelin to the living organism. 8. The method of Claim 7 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered orally. 9. The method of Claim 7 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered intravenously. 10. A method of preventing or slowing the progression of radiation damage to the vasculature a living organism comprising administration of a composition containing an effective amount of a desferriexochelin to the living organism. 11. The method of Claim 10 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered orally. 12. The method of Claim 10 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered intravenously. 13. A method of preventing or slowing the progression of stenosis or closure of bypass grafts to the coronary arteries or other blood vessels following a surgical procedure in a living organism comprising administration to the living organism of a composition which contains an effective amount of a desferriexochelin. 14. The method of Claim 13 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered orally. 15. The method of Claim 13 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered intravenously. 16. A method of preventing or slowing the progression of pulmonary hypertension in a living organism comprising the administration to the living organism of a composition which contains an effective amount of a desferriexochelin. 17. The method of Claim 16 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered orally. 18. The method of Claim 16 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is delivered intravenously. 19. The method of Claim 16 wherein the effective amount of a desferriexochelin is inhaled by the organism. 20. A method of preventing or slowing the progression of hypoxic, neonatal, and primary pulmonary hypertension in a living organism comprising the administration to the living organism of a composition which contains an effective amount of a desferriexochelin. 21. A method of preventing or slowing the growth of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in a living organism comprising the administration to the living organism of a composition which contains an effective amount of a desferriexochelin derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 22. A method of preventing or slowing the formation of new vessel formation in a living organism comprising the administration to the living organism of a composition which contains an effective amount of a desferriexochelin. 23. The method of Claim 22 wherein the desferriexochelin is delivered orally or intravenously. 24. The method of Claim 22 wherein the desferriexochelin is delivered intraocularly and prevents the formation of new blood vessels in the eye.