Treatment of disease with n-acetyl kynurenine

Abstract

The invention provides a method, composition and kit for treating T-cell mediated diseases, degenerative joint diseases or diseases mediated by platelet activating factor (PAF) comprising administering to an animal in need thereof, an effective amount a pharmaceutical composition containing N-acetyl-kynurenine (NAK) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as the active ingredient.

1 . A method of treating a T-cell mediated disease, a degenerative joint disease, or a disease mediated by platelet activating factor, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof, an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition consisting essentially of N-acetyl-kynurenine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         2 . A method of treating a T-cell mediated disease, a degenerative joint disease, or a disease mediated by platelet activating factor, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof, an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) N-acetyl-kynurenine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and (ii) a second active agent effective to treat the disease. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second active agent effective to treat the disease is selected from the group consisting of an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory drug, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the N-acetyl-kynurenine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is in a concentration greater than about 50 about 60 about 70 about 80 about 90 or about 100 μM. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the T-cell mediated disease is selected from the group consisting of graft rejection, graft versus host disease, an unwanted delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, a T-cell mediated pulmonary disease and an autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the T-cell mediated disease is multiple sclerosis, inclusion body myositis (IBM), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), neuritis, polymyositis, psoriasis, vitiligo, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, glomerulonephritis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, autoimmune thyroid diseases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves disease, myasthenia gravis, Addison's disease, autoimmune uveoretinitis, pemphigus vulgaris, primary biliary cirrhosis, pernicious anemia, or systemic lupus erythematosus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the T-cell mediated disease is an inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the degenerative joint disease is osteoarthritis. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the osteoarthrosis is of the knee, hip, shoulder, hand or spine. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the disease mediated by platelet activating factor is selected from the group consisting of an allergy, acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, a respiratory infection, sepsis and shock. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered by an administration route selected from the group consisting of injection, topical, local, transdermal, inhalation and eye drops. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered by intra-articular injection. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) an active pharmaceutical ingredient consisting essentially of N-acetyl-kynurenine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and (ii) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 14 , wherein the N-acetyl-kynurenine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is in a concentration greater than about 50 μM. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled)