Methods for treating spinal cord injury with a compound that inhibits a NCCA-ATP channel
The present invention is directed to therapeutic compositions targeting the NC Ca-ATP channel of an astrocyte, neuron or capillary endothelial cell and methods of using same. More specifically, antagonists of the NC Ca-ATP channel are contemplated. The compositions are used to prevent cell death and to treat secondary damage associated with spinal cord injury.
1. A method of treating a subject at risk for developing a spinal cord injury comprising administering to the subject a compound effective to inhibit a NC Ca-ATP channel in a neuronal cell, a neuroglia cell, a neural endothelial cell or a combination thereof, wherein the compound is glibenclamide, and
wherein the subject is undergoing a surgical treatment or radiation treatment.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound reduces, decreases or inhibits the activation of the NC Ca-ATP channel which reduces an influx of sodium ions (Na + ) thereby reducing or preventing depolarization of the cell.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound prevents cytotoxic edema.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound prevents necrotic death.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound prevents or reduces hemorrhagic conversion, extravasated blood, or both near or surrounding a spinal cord injury site.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the glibenclamide is administered to the subject in a dose in the range of about 0.01 μg/kg/day to about 100 μg/kg/day.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered orally.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered mucosally, intranasally, buccally, rectally, sublingually, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraarterially, intrathecally, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or intraventricularly.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered intravenously, mucosally, intranasally, buccally, rectally, sublingually, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraarterially, intrathecally, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or intraventricularly.