Technologies

A major cause of respiratory diseases, like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the losselasticity in the lung. This characteristic of lung tissue is mediated in part by proteins called elastins; thelack of them causes alveoliar rupture. Similarly, damage to blood vessel during aging, the uterus duringpregnancy, aortic aneurysms and arthritis are linked to reduction in elasticity. Hyaluronic acid (also calledhyaluronan or hyaluronate) is a large carbohydrate molecule distributed throughout neural, epithelial andconnective tissue. Hyaluronic acid has been FDA approved for various therapies, from osteoarthritis towrinkle removal, and high yield synthesis methods are commonplace.The invention provides a unique application of this carbohydrate as a therapy for respiratorydisease, or any disease involving elastic fiber injury in tissues. Research by the inventor has shown thatmaintaining the elasticity of lungs by protecting the elastin proteins from degradation also maintains lungfunction. Indeed, an anti-trypsin drug (an extracellular enzyme which cleaves elastins) is already inclinical trials. Mice studies indicate that protection occurs because hyaluronic acid directly binds elastins,thus precludes degradation. Intratracheal administration of hyaluronic acid may have significantadvantages over symptomatic treatments, bronchodilators and oxygen supplementation, since it can haltfurther lung damage. Similarly, hyaluronic acid therapy may be preferred to trypsin inhibitors because itmay block other endogenous elastases.Potential Commercial