Therapies for Loss of Elasticity in the Human Body
A major cause of respiratory diseases, like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the loss
elasticity in the lung. This characteristic of lung tissue is mediated in part by proteins called elastins; the
lack of them causes alveoliar rupture. Similarly, damage to blood vessel during aging, the uterus during
pregnancy, aortic aneurysms and arthritis are linked to reduction in elasticity. Hyaluronic acid (also called
hyaluronan or hyaluronate) is a large carbohydrate molecule distributed throughout neural, epithelial and
connective tissue. Hyaluronic acid has been FDA approved for various therapies, from osteoarthritis to
wrinkle removal, and high yield synthesis methods are commonplace.
Hyaluronic Acid for Diseases Involving Elastic Fiber Injury in Tissues
The invention provides a unique application of this carbohydrate as a therapy for respiratory
disease, or any disease involving elastic fiber injury in tissues. Research by the inventor has shown that
maintaining the elasticity of lungs by protecting the elastin proteins from degradation also maintains lung
function. Indeed, an anti-trypsin drug (an extracellular enzyme which cleaves elastins) is already in
clinical trials. Mice studies indicate that protection occurs because hyaluronic acid directly binds elastins,
thus precludes degradation. Intratracheal administration of hyaluronic acid may have significant
advantages over symptomatic treatments, bronchodilators and oxygen supplementation, since it can halt
further lung damage. Similarly, hyaluronic acid therapy may be preferred to trypsin inhibitors because it
may block other endogenous elastases.
Potential Commercial Applications:
- Respiratory diseases: emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary edema, acute
respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary
atelectasis.
- Injured tissue: uterus after pregnancy, circulatory system aneurysms and arthritic diseases
Advantages:
- Provides a method to protect elasticity in lung, arterial and other organ tissues from most
degrading enzymes.
- Prevents progression of injuries in elastic tissues, thus preferable over current symptomatic
treatments.
- Can be applied as a prophylactic therapy in high risk individuals.
- Methods exist for high purity hyaluronic acid synthesis.
- FDA approved as safe for human therapy.
