Claims for Patent: 5,789,395

Summary for Patent: 5,789,395

Title:	Method of using tetracycline compounds for inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide production
Abstract:	A method is disclosed for inhibiting endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO) in an in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo mammalian system. The method employs a tetracycline compound to inhibit production of NO and/or to inhibit the expression or activity of an inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Preferably, the tetracycline compound has inhibitory activity for metalloproteinases. Also it is preferred that the tetracycline compound is provided to the mammalian system in an amount which has little or no antibacterial activity in the system. Accordingly, preferred tetracycline compounds are tetracycline compounds which have be modified to reduce or eliminate their antimicrobial activity. The method can be used to treat medical conditions in mammals characterized by NO production mediated by iNOS, including, for example, inflammatory conditions.
Inventor(s):	Amin; Ashok R. (Union, NJ), Abramson; Steven B. (Rye, NY), Golub; Lorne M. (Smithtown, NY), Ramamurthy; Nungavaram S. (Smithtown, NY), McNamara; Thomas F. (Port Jefferson, NY), Greenwald; Robert A. (Melville, NY), Trachtman; Howard (New Rochelle, NY)
Assignee:	The Research Foundation of State University of New York (Albany, NY) Hospital for Joint Diseases (New York, NY)
Application Number:	08/697,815
Patent Claims:	1. A method for inhibiting nitric oxide production in a mammal system, comprising providing to the mammalian system an amount of a tetracycline compound sufficient to cause a decrease in the amount of nitric oxide produced endogenously by the mammalian-system. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tetracycline compound has substantially no anti-microbial activity in the mammal system. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tetracycline compound has metalloproteinase inhibitory activity. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tetracycline compound is 6-demethyl-6-deoxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline (CMT-3), 6-.alpha.-deoxy-5-hydroxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline (CMT-8), 4-dedimethylaminotetracycline (CMT- 1), doxycycline, or minocycline. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said mammal has a condition characterized by increased endogenous nitric oxide production. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said mammal has nitric oxide-dependent glomerular inflammation. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said mammal has osteoarthritis. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises providing to said mammal an anti-inflammatory amount of a steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said mammal has a condition characterized by an abnormally high level of activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase. 10. A method for inhibiting nitric oxide production in an in vitro mammalian cell culture or an ex vivo mammalian tissue culture or mammalian organ comprising providing to said cell culture, tissue culture or organ an amount of a tetracycline compound sufficient to inhibit endogenous nitric oxide production in said cell culture, tissue culture, or organ wherein a measured amount of nitric oxide production is indicative of expression or activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase. 11. A method for treating a mammal having a medical condition characterized by excess endogenous production of nitric oxide, comprising administering to the mammal an amount of a tetracycline compound sufficient to inhibit endogenous nitric oxide production in the mammal. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the medical condition is an acute inflammatory condition. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the medical condition is a chronic inflammatory condition. 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tetracycline compound has substantially no anti-microbial activity in the mammal. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tetracycline compound has metalloproteinase inhibitory activity. 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tetracycline compound is 6-demethyl-6-deoxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline (CMT-3), 6-.alpha.-deoxy-5-hydroxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline (CMT-8), 4-dedimethylaminotetracycline (CMT- 1), doxycycline, or minocycline.