Methods and active substances for protecting organs

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method of protecting organs or tissue susceptible to reperfusion-induced dysfunction after ischemia. The method comprises parenterally administering to a patient a therapeutical composition containing natural alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, natural alpha-1 antitrypsin or a mixture thereof. Alternatively, organ or tissue transplants can be contacted with natural alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, natural alpha-1 antitrypsin or mixtures by perfusing or flushing them with a solution containing natural alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, natural alpha-1 antitrypsin or mixtures thereof in a concentration of 0.1 to 5 g/l.

1 . A preservation solution for perfusion and storage of organ transplants comprising at least one electrolyte and 0.1-5 g/l of a cell-protecting agent, wherein said cell-protecting agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of human alpha-1 acid glycoprotein and human alpha-1 antitrypsin.  
   
   
       2 . The solution according to  claim 1 , wherein the alpha-1 acid glycoprotein or alpha-1 antitrypsin comprises human plasma-derived alpha-1 acid glycoprotein or alpha-1 antitrypsin having a purity of at least 80% or transgenic or recombinant alpha-1 acid glycoprotein or alpha-1 antitrypsin having an amino acid sequence essentially identical with that of the corresponding human alpha-1 acid glycoprotein or human alpha-1 antitrypsin and having a purity of at least 99%.  
   
   
       3 . The solution according to  claim 1 , wherein the natural alpha-1 acid glycoprotein or natural alpha-1 antitrypsin comprises a virus-safe therapeutic composition having an endotoxin level of less than 0.1 IU/mg protein as measured by the limulus amebocyte lysates (LAL) test.  
   
   
       4 . The solution according to  claim 1 , wherein the human alpha-1 acid glycoprotein has been purified from Cohn fraction V supernatant of human plasma by a method comprising anion exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration, virus filtration and at least one virus inactivation step consisting of solvent detergent treatment or pasteurization.