Inhibition of cathepsin K activity and the treatment and prevention of disease

Abstract

The present invention provides a candidate compound that is suitable for use in methods of treating animals (preferably mammals) and in the preparation of a medicament, wherein the candidate compound down regulates Cathepsin K activity.

1 . A method for treating or preventing bone resorption in a mammal in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of an oversulfated polysaccharide. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein bone resorption is associated with bone metastases or multiple myeloma. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein bone resorption is associated with tooth root resorption. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein bone resorption is associated with osteolysis. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the osteolysis causes loosening of a surgical prosthesis. 
     
     
         6 . A method for treating or ameliorating a bone defect in a mammal in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of an oversulfated polysaccharide. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the bone defect is a post-traumatic injury. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the bone defect is a delay or non-union of bones. 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating or preventing tissue destruction associated with inflammation of an airway or lung in a mammal in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of an oversulfated polysaccharide. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the inflammation is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, asthma, or lung fibrosis. 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating obesity in a mammal in need of such treatment comprising the step of administering an effective amount of an oversulfated polysaccharide. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the oversulfated polysaccharide is pentosan polysulfate. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the oversulfated polysaccharide is a xylopyranose polysulfate. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the oversulfated polysaccharide is a divalent salt. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the oversulfated polysaccharide is calcium xylopyranose polysulfate.