Methods of treating hepatitis

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of treating hepatitis in a patient, which includes administering a pharmaceutical composition that includes carbon monoxide to the patient.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treating hepatitis in a patient, comprising: 
 identifying a patient diagnosed as suffering from hepatitis; and    administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of carbon monoxide effective to treat hepatitis in the patient.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in gaseous form and is administered to the patient by inhalation.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in liquid form and is administered to the patient orally.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered directly to the abdominal cavity of the patient.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is infected with a virus selected from the group consisting of: hepatitis A virus; hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C virus; hepatitis D virus; hepatitis E virus; and hepatitis G virus.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is an alcoholic.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the patient a treatment selected from the group consisting of: withholding or reducing administration of hepatitis-inducing drugs; and administering corticosteroids or antiviral agents to the patient.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered by artificial lung.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered by an extracorporeal membrane gas exchange device.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hepatitis is caused by exposure to a hepatotoxic agent.  
     
     
         11 . A method of treating hepatitis in a patient, comprising: 
 (a) identifying a patient suffering from or at risk for hepatitis;    (b) providing a vessel containing a pressurized gas comprising carbon monoxide gas;    (c) releasing the pressurized gas from the vessel, to form an atmosphere comprising carbon monoxide gas; and    (d) exposing the patient to the atmosphere, wherein the amount of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere is sufficient to treat hepatitis in the patient.    
     
     
         12 . A method of administering a hepatotoxic drug to a patient, comprising: 
 (a) administering the hepatotoxic drug to the patient; and    (b) before, during, or after step (a), administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide in an amount effective to treat hepatitis in the patient.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein carbon monoxide is administered before step (a).  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein carbon monoxide is administered during step (a).  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein carbon monoxide is administered after step (a).  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the hepatotoxic drug is selected from the group consisting of: isoniazid, methyldopa, acetaminophen, amiodarone, and nitrofurantoin.  
     
     
         17 . A vessel comprising medical grade compressed carbon monoxide gas, the vessel bearing a label indicating that the gas can be used to treat hepatitis in a patient.  
     
     
         18 . The vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the carbon monoxide gas is in admixture with an oxygen-containing gas.  
     
     
         19 . The vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the carbon monoxide gas is present in the admixture at a concentration of at least about 0.025%.  
     
     
         20 . The vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the carbon monoxide gas is present in the admixture at a concentration of at least about 0.05%.  
     
     
         21 . The vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the carbon monoxide gas is present in the admixture at a concentration of at least about 0.10%.  
     
     
         22 . The vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the carbon monoxide gas is present in the admixture at a concentration of at least about 1.0%.  
     
     
         23 . The vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the carbon monoxide gas is present in the admixture at a concentration of at least about 2.0%.  
     
     
         24 . The vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the label further indicates that the gas can be administered to a patient in conjunction with administration of a hepatotoxic drug.  
     
     
         25 . A vessel comprising medical grade compressed carbon monoxide gas, the vessel bearing a label indicating that the gas can be administered to a patient in conjunction with administration of a hepatotoxic drug.  
     
     
         26 . A method of treating hepatitis in a patient, the method comprising: 
 identifying a patient suffering from or at risk for hepatitis not caused by surgery or endotoxin; and    administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of carbon monoxide effective to treat hepatitis in the patient.