Use of gamma-tocopherol and its oxidative metabolite LLU-alpha in the treatment of disease

Abstract

The present invention is generally related to the discovery of the therapeutic benefit of administering γ-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol derivatives. More specifically, the use of γ-tocopherol and racemic LLU-α, (S)-LLU-α, or γ-tocopherol derivatives as antioxidants and nitrogen oxide scavengers which treat and prevent high blood pressure, thromboembolic disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, natriuretic disease, the formation of neuropathological lesions, and a reduced immune system response are disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treating or preventing an ischemic condition in a patient, comprising: 
 identifying a patient having an ischemic condition; and    providing to said patient a composition that comprises tocopherols, at least 50% of said tocopherols being γ-tocopherol.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 55% of said tocopherols are γ-tocopherol.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 60% of said tocopherols are γ-tocopherol.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 65% of said tocopherols are γ-tocopherol.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 70% of said tocopherols are γ-tocopherol.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 75% of said tocopherols are γ-tocopherol.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein 50% to 100% of said tocopherols are γ-tocopherol.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein 55% to 95% of said tocopherols are γ-tocopherol.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 95% of said tocopherols are γ-tocopherol.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the circulatory system.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the cardiovascular system.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the liver.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the kidney.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with diabetes.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with thromboembolic disease.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the brain.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the nervous system.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the eye.  
     
     
         19 . A method of treating or preventing an ischemic condition in a patient, comprising: 
 identifying a patient having an ischemic condition; and    providing to said patient a composition that comprises a γ-tocopherol metabolite.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition comprises 6-hydroxy-2,7,8-trimethylchroman-2-propanoic acid (LLU-α).  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition comprises 25% to 60% LLUα.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition comprises 5% to 95% LLUα.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition comprises no more than 50% LLUα.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the circulatory system.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the cardiovascular system.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the liver.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the kidney.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with diabetes.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with thromboembolic disease.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the brain.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the nervous system.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ischemic condition is associated with the eye.  
     
     
         33 . A method of treating or preventing a condition associated with a vitamin E deficiency in a mammal, comprising: 
 identifying a mammal with a condition associated with a vitamin E deficiency; and    providing to said mammal a composition that comprises at least 75% γ-tocopherol.    
     
     
         34 . A method of treating or preventing a condition associated with a vitamin E deficiency in a mammal, comprising: 
 identifying a mammal with a condition associated with a vitamin E deficiency; and    providing to said mammal a composition that comprises at least 25% LLUα.