Prostaglandin compositions and methods for the treatment of vasospasm

Abstract

Compositions and methods for the treatment of vasospasm are provided comprising applying an amount of a semi-solid vasoactive prostaglandin composition to the affected tissue. Also provided are methods of improving microcirculation in a replanted body part.

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A method of improving local microcirculation in a hand tissue comprising:
 applying directly to a surface of the hand tissue of a subject needing improvement of local microcirculation a composition comprising:   one or more of prostaglandin E1, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of prostaglandin E1, and a C 1  to C 4  alkyl ester of prostaglandin E1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;   a penetration enhancer selected from the group consisting of an alkyl-(N-substituted amino) ester elected from the group consisting of an alkyl-(N-substituted amino)alkanoate, an alkyl-2-(N,N-disubstituted amino)alkanoate, an (N-substituted amino)alkanol alkanoate, an (N,N-disubstituted amino)alkanol alkanoate, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a mixture thereof;   a shear-thinning polymer thickener selected from the group consisting of a shearthinning polysaccharide gum and a shear-thinning polyacrylic acid polymer;   a lipophilic component that is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic C 1  to C 8  alcohol, an aliphatic C 8  to C 30  ester, a liquid polyol and a mixture thereof; water and   a buffer system that provides a buffered pH.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  further comprising the step of applying the composition to the vascular extima of the blood vessels supplying the hand tissue. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the surface to which the composition is applied is the surface of skin. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the polysaccharide gum is a shear-thinning polysaccharide gum. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the tissue is of a subject needing treatment of vasospasm. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the shear-thinning polysaccharide gum is a galactomannan gum or a modified galactomannan gum. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the modified galactomannan gum is a modified guar gum. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the shear-thinning polymer thickener is a shear-thinning polyacrylic acid polymer. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the penetration enhancer is dodecyl 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)-propionate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the lipophilic component comprises at least one aliphatic C 8  to C 30  ester. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the buffered pH value for said composition is in the range of about 3 to about 7.4. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the composition is applied by a transdermal patch.