Methods of treating conditions with a metal-containing material

Abstract

Methods of treating conditions with a metal-containing material are disclosed. The metal-containing material can be, for example, an antimicrobial material, an antibacterial material, an anti-inflammatory material, an anti-fungal material, an anti-viral material, an anti-cancer material, a pro-apoptosis material, and/or an MMP modulating material. In certain embodiments, the metal-containing material is an atomically disordered, silver-containing material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treating a subject having a condition, comprising: 
 contacting an area of the subject having the condition with a nanocrystalline metal-containing compound,    wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of mucosal conditions, serosal conditions, respiratory conditions, circulatory conditions and musculo-skeletal conditions.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is a respiratory condition.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary atelectasis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, mucositis, stomatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition comprises a musculo-skeletal condition.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the musculo-skeletal condition is selected from the group consisting of tendonitis, osteomyelitis, fibromyalgia, bursitis and arthritis.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition comprises a circulatory condition.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the circulatory condition is selected from the group consisting of arteriosclerosis, septicemia, leukemia, ischemic vascular disease, lymphangitis and atherosclerosis.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is selected from mucosal conditions and serosal conditions.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of pericarditis, Bowen's disease, stomatitis, prostatitis, sinusitis, digestive disorders, toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome, Stevens Johnson syndrome, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, common cold, ear infections, sore throat, sexually transmitted diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, hemorrhoids, thrush, dental conditions, oral conditions, conjunctivitis, and periodontal conditions.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metals and alloys.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal halides and metal hydrides.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum and palladium.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises silver.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises an ionic compound.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises atoms, molecules or clusters.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises an atomically disordered, crystalline compound.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound comprises an antimicrobial compound.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, when contacted with the area of the subject having the condition, the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is in a solution.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the solution is injected.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the solution is injected via a needleless injector.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the solution is injected via a needle.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the solution contains at least about 0.001 weight percent of the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the solution contains about 10 weight percent or less of the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the solution further comprises a solvent.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 forming the solution into an aerosol; and    inhaling the aerosol.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, when contacted with the area of the subject having the condition, the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is disposed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the composition contains at least about 0.01 weight percent of the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the composition contains about 50 weight percent or less of the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of creams, ointments, gels, lotions, pastes and foams.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, when contacted with the area of the subject having the condition, the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is in the form of a free-standing powder.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the free-standing powder is inhaled.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the free-standing powder is injected.  
     
     
         38 . A method of treating a subject having a condition, comprising: 
 contacting an area of the subject having the condition with an atomically disordered, crystalline metal-containing compound,    wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of mucosal conditions, serosal conditions, respiratory conditions, circulatory conditions and musculo-skeletal conditions.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the condition is a respiratory condition.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary atelectasis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, mucositis, stomatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the condition comprises a musculo-skeletal condition.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the musculo-skeletal condition is selected from the group consisting of tendonitis, osteomyelitis, fibromyalgia, bursitis and arthritis.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the condition comprises a circulatory condition.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the circulatory condition is selected from the group consisting of arteriosclerosis, septicemia, leukemia, ischemic vascular disease, lymphangitis and atherosclerosis.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the condition is selected from mucosal conditions and serosal conditions.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of pericarditis, Bowen's disease, stomatitis, prostatitis, sinusitis, digestive disorders, toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome, Stevens Johnson syndrome, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, common cold, ear infections, sore throat, sexually transmitted diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, hemorrhoids, thrush, dental conditions, oral conditions, conjunctivitis, and periodontal conditions.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metals and alloys.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal halides and metal hydrides.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum and palladium.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises silver.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises an ionic compound.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound comprises atoms, molecules or clusters.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the compound comprises an antimicrobial compound.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein, when contacted with the area of the subject having the condition, the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is in a solution.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the solution is injected.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the solution is injected via a needleless injector.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the solution is injected via a needle.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the solution contains at least about 0.001 weight percent of the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the solution contains about 10 weight percent or less of the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the solution further comprises a solvent.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising: 
 forming the solution into an aerosol; and    inhaling the aerosol.    
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein, when contacted with the area of the subject having the condition, the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is disposed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the composition contains at least about 0.01 weight percent of the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the composition contains about 50 weight percent or less of the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of creams, ointments, gels, lotions, pastes and foams.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein, when contacted with the area of the subject having the condition, the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound is in the form of a free-standing powder.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the free-standing powder is inhaled.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the free-standing powder is injected.