Stabilized Glycosaminoglycan Preparations and Related Methods

Abstract

Compositions comprising a glycosaminoglycan (e.g., a hyaluronan, hyaluronic acid, hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, dermatan sulfate, karatan sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, heparin, etc.) in combination with at least one component selected from; i) polyglycols (e.g., polyethylene glycol), ii) long chain hydroxy polyanionic polysaccharides (e.g., dextran, sodium alginate, alginic acid, propylene glycol alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose and carboxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyl ethyl starch, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polylysine, polyhistidine, polyhydroxy proline, poly ornithine, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, etc.) and iii) long chain Nitrogen containing polymers (e.g., Polylysine, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, and polyvinyl alcohol). The invention also includes methods for using such compositions (e.g., as substance delivery materials, tissue fillers or bulking agents, as moistening or hydrating agents, etc.)

1 . A composition useable for topical administration to an eye, said composition comprising:
 a first component comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof; and   a second component comprising alginic acid or an alginate compound;   wherein the second component increases viscosity of the composition; and   wherein said viscosity of the composition decreases when subjected to a shear force.   
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises sodium alginate. 
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises alginic acid. 
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises propylene glycol alginate. 
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component further comprises carboxymethyl cellulose. 
     
     
         6 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component further comprises a substance selected from; hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and methyl cellulose. 
     
     
         7 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component further comprises a substance selected from; polylysine, polyhistidine, polyhydroxyl proline, poly ornithine. 
     
     
         8 . A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         9 . A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising polylysine. 
     
     
         10 . A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising dextran. 
     
     
         11 . A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising hydroxylethyl starch. 
     
     
         12 . A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising chitosan. 
     
     
         13 . A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         14 . A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone. 
     
     
         15 . A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising polyhydroxyprolin. 
     
     
         16 . A composition according to  claim 8  wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight in the range of about 200 to about 35,000. 
     
     
         17 . A composition according to  claim 8  wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight in the range of about 6000 to about 8000. 
     
     
         18 . A composition according to  claim 8  wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of approximately 8000. 
     
     
         19 . A composition according to  claim 18  wherein the second component comprises sodium alginate. 
     
     
         20 . A composition according to  claim 8  wherein the second component comprises alginic acid. 
     
     
         21 . A composition according to  claim 8  wherein the second component comprises polypropylene glycol. 
     
     
         22 . A method for using a composition according to  claim 1  to moisten or lubricate the eye, said method comprising the step of administering said composition topically to the eye. 
     
     
         23 . A method for using a composition according to  claim 8  to moisten or lubricate the eye, said method comprising the step of administering said composition topically to the eye. 
     
     
         24 . A method for using a composition according to  claim 18  to moisten or lubricate the eye, said method comprising the step of administering said composition topically to the eye. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein the composition is administered topically to the eye in the form of eye drops. 
     
     
         26 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the composition has a shear thinning grade ratio of 1.50 or greater. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein the composition is administered topically to the eye in the form of a gel  26 . 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)