Methods for preventing or treating mitochondrial permeability transition

Abstract

The invention provides a method of reducing or preventing mitochondrial permeability transitioning. The method comprises administering an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide having at least one net positive charge; a minimum of four amino acids; a maximum of about twenty amino acids; a relationship between the minimum number of net positive charges (p m ) and the total number of amino acid residues (r) wherein 3p m is the largest number that is less than or equal to r+1; and a relationship between the minimum number of aromatic groups (a) and the total number of net positive charges (p t ) wherein 2 a is the largest number that is less than or equal to p t +1, except that when a is 1, p t may also be 1.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An aromatic-cationic peptide for use in inhibiting cardiac stunning in cardiac tissue that is subjected to or recovering from ischemia in a subject in need thereof, wherein the aromatic-cationic peptide has the formula D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH 2 . 
     
     
         18 . The peptide for use according to  claim 17 , wherein the peptide is used in conjunction with the reperfusion of ischemic cardiac tissues. 
     
     
         19 . The peptide for use according to  claim 18 , wherein the reperfusion of ischemic cardiac tissues comprises angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft, or the use of thrombolytic drugs. 
     
     
         20 . The peptide for use according to  claim 18 , wherein the peptide is applied to coronary stents. 
     
     
         21 . The peptide for use according to  claim 17 , wherein the peptide is administered locally or systemically. 
     
     
         22 . The peptide for use according to  claim 17 , wherein the peptide is administered intravenously, orally, topically, intranasally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, transdermally, or iontophoretically.