Trophic factor combinations for nervous system treatment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition including an effective amount of at least one of an antimicrobial peptide and a substance having an antimicrobial peptide effect and an effective amount of a neurotrophin. The composition can also include an effective amount of at least one of a growth factor and a neuropeptide. The present invention also relates a method of treating an injury to a nervous system of an animal that includes the steps of identifying the injury to the nervous system and applying to the injury an effective amount of at least one of antimicrobial peptide and a substance having an antimicrobial peptide effect. The method can also include applying an effective amount of one or more trophic factors selected from the group consisting of a growth factor, a neurotrophin, and a neuropeptide to the injury.

1 . A composition comprising: 
 A. an effective amount of at least one of an antimicrobial peptide and a substance having an antimicrobial peptide effect; and    B. an effective amount of a neurotrophin.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an effective amount of at least one of a growth factor and a neuropeptide.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an effective amount of a growth factor.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the antimicrobial peptide is BNP-1, the neurotrophin is BDNF, and the growth factor is IGF-1.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an effective amount of a neuropeptide.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the antimicrobial peptide is BNP-1, the neurotrophin is BDNF, and the neuropeptide is Substance P.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an effective amount of a growth factor and an effective amount of a neuropeptide.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the antimicrobial peptide is BNP-1, the neurotrophin is BDNF, the growth factor is IGF-1, and the neuropeptide is Substance P.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial peptide is BNP-1 and the neurotrophin is BDNF.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , further comprising an effective amount of IGF-1 and an effective amount of Substance P.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a viscous substance.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a matrix.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the matrix comprises a hydrogel.  
     
     
         14 . A method of treating an injury to a nervous system of an animal, the method comprising: 
 A. identifying the injury to the nervous system; and    B. applying to the injury an effective amount of at least one of antimicrobial peptide and a substance having an antimicrobial peptide effect.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of an antimicrobial peptide and a substance having an antimicrobial peptide effect is combined with an effective amount of one or more trophic factors selected from the group consisting of a growth factor, a neurotrophin, and a neuropeptide.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the injury to the nervous system comprises a spinal cord injury.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the applying step produces an effect on the animal, the effect selected from the group consisting of reduced pain, neuronal plasticity, a neuroprotective effect, reduced body weight loss, increased motor recovery, increased evoked potential amplitudes, and lowered threshold current.  
     
     
         18 . A kit comprising: 
 A. at least one of an antimicrobial peptide and a substance having an antimicrobial peptide effect; and    B. a neurotrophin.    
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a viscous substance.  
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one of a growth factor and a neuropeptide.