Methods for the prevention and treatment of burn injuries and secondary complications

Abstract

The disclosure relates to methods for treating a subject suffering from a burn injury or associated complications by administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide. For example, a burn injury may be associated with distant pathophysiological effects, such as hypermetabolism, skeletal muscle dysfunction, and organ damage. The disclosure also relates to methods for protecting a subject from a burn injury by administering an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to a subject at risk of a burn injury.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for treating a subject suffering from a systemic injury or condition secondary to a burn, the method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a peptide having the formula D-Arg-2′6′-dimethyltyrosine-Lys-Phe-NH 2 . 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the systemic injury is organ damage, organ dysfunction or organ failure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the peptide is administered following a burn injury but prior to the onset of symptoms of organ dysfunction or organ failure. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the peptide is administered following the onset of symptoms of organ dysfunction or organ failure. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the organ dysfunction is reduced myocardial contractility. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the organ dysfunction, organ damage or organ failure is liver dysfunction, liver damage or liver failure. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the organ dysfunction, organ damage or organ failure is kidney dysfunction, kidney damage or kidney failure. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the organ dysfunction or organ damage is bowel dysfunction or bowel damage. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the organ dysfunction or organ damage is lung dysfunction or lung damage. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the systemic injury is hypermetabolism. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the peptide is administered following a burn injury but prior to the onset of symptoms of hypermetabolism. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the peptide is administered following the onset of symptoms hypermetabolism. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the peptide in administered to provide prophylaxis for hypermetabolism. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the peptide is administered orally, subcutaneously, transdermally, intraperitoneally, or topically. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the peptide is administered intravenously. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the peptide is administered intravenously. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the peptide is administered intravenously.