Pharmaceutical compositions comprising dgla and use of same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides orally deliverable pharmaceutical compositions comprising DGLA and to methods of using same to treat a variety of conditions and disorders.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating pruritus in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising orally administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising dihomo gamma linolenic acid to the subject in an amount effective to treat the pruritus. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises about 600 mg to about 4 g of dihomo gamma linolenic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is present in one or more capsules. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is in a non-encapsulated form. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein each of the one or more capsules comprises about 250 mg to about 1 g of dihomo gamma linolenic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic comprises at least about 80% by weight of total fatty acids present in the pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic comprises at least about 85% by weight of total fatty acids present in the pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic comprises at least about 90% by weight of total fatty acids present in the pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject further has a renal disease or disorder. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the renal disease or disorder is selected from kidney failure, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and polycystic kidney disease. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating pruritus in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising orally administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 600 mg to about 4 g of dihomo gamma linolenic acid to the subject per day, wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic comprises at least about 80% by weight of total fatty acids present in the pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the subject further has a renal disease or disorder. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the renal disease or disorder is selected from kidney failure, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and polycystic kidney disease. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating pruritus in a subject having renal disease, the method comprising orally administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 600 mg to about 4 g of dihomo gamma linolenic acid to the subject per day, wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic comprises at least about 80% by weight of total fatty acids present in the pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the renal disease or disorder is selected from kidney failure, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and polycystic kidney disease. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic acid is in the form of a triglyceride, a diglyceride, a monoglyceride, a phospholipid, a glycolipid, an alkyl ester, a free fatty acid, a salt or other derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic acid is in the form of a triglyceride, a diglyceride, a monoglyceride, a phospholipid, a glycolipid, an alkyl ester, a free fatty acid, a salt or other derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic acid is in the form of a triglyceride, a diglyceride, a monoglyceride, a phospholipid, a glycolipid, an alkyl ester, a free fatty acid, a salt or other derivatives thereof.