Thiol and disulfide-containing agents for increasing meibomian gland lipid secretion

Abstract

Described herein are compositions and methods for the increasing the quantity of lipids secreted from meibomian glands. Such compositions and methods are useful for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction and disorders resulting therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for increasing lipid secretion from a meibomian gland, comprising topically administering to the eyelid margin of the patient in need thereof an ophthalmic composition comprising an ophthalmically-acceptable carrier and an effective amount of at least one agent which increases lipogenesis in the meibomian gland or increases lipid secretion from the meibomian gland, wherein the agent comprises a sulfhydryl group, a —SeH group, or a disulfide, wherein the agent is not captopril, selenocysteine, N-acetylcysteine, pantetheine, or tixocortol. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent comprises a sulfhydryl group. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of Zofenopril, Tiopronin, Penicillamine, L-Cysteine, Gluthatione, Dithiothreitol, Thiorphan, Cysteamine, Bucillamine, Dimercaprol, 1,1-Ethanedithiol, Dimercaptosuccinic acid, Furan-2-ylmethanethiol, Omapatrilat, Ovothiol A, Rentiapril, Thiosalicylic acid, Mycothiol, Coenzyme A, and Coenzyme B. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent comprises a disulfide bond. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of Disulfiram, Psammaplin A, Dixanthogen, Fursultiamine, Octotiamine, Sulbutiamine, Prosultiamine, Thiram, Lipoic acid, Lenthionine, Ajoene, Allicin, Gemopatrilat, and Sulfanegen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmically-acceptable carrier comprises at least one ophthalmically-acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of administering to the patient a keratolytic agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the keratolytic agent is selected from the group consisting of benzoyl peroxide, coal tar, dithranol, salicylic acid, selenium disulfide, alpha-hydroxy acid, urea, boric acid, retinoic acid, lactic acid, sodium thioglycolate or allantoin. 
     
     
         9 . A method for increasing lipid secretion from a meibomian gland, comprising topically administering to the eyelid margin of the patient in need thereof an ophthalmic composition comprising an effective amount of an agent which increases lipogenesis in the meibomian gland or increases lipid secretion from the meibomian gland, wherein the agent comprises a sulfhydryl group, a —SeH group, or a disulfide, wherein the agent is not captopril, selenocysteine, N-acetylcysteine, pantetheine, or tixocortol. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of administering to the patient a keratolytic agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the keratolytic agent is selected from the group consisting of benzoyl peroxide, coal tar, dithranol, salicylic acid, selenium disulfide, alpha-hydroxy acid, urea, boric acid, retinoic acid, lactic acid, sodium thioglycolate or allantoin.