Compounds, compositions and methods for treating or preventing hypoxic or ischemic injury

1. A method of making a linear symmetrical or asymmetrical trisulfide compound represented by the structure:

wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently a branched or straight chain C 1-10 alkyl; a branched or straight chain C 1-10 alkyl substituted with —ONO 2 ; or, a branched or straight chain C 1-10 alkyl substituted with —OH; wherein R 3 and R 4 are independently a branched or straight chain C 1-10 alkanediyl; wherein R 5 and R 6 are independently OH, an amino acid moiety, or, a straight or branched chain C 1-10 amine substituted with —ONO 2 ; wherein X and Y are independently C═O or SO 2 ; and, wherein Z is selected from H, CH 3 , and CH 2 CH 3 ; the method comprising:

reacting a compound represented by the following structure

wherein R 1 , X, R 3 and R 5 are as defined above, with an equal molar amount of 2,2′-thiodiisoindoline-1,3-dione in acetonitrile and water to produce a ((1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)disulfanyl)-containing intermediate;

isolating the intermediate; and

reacting the intermediate with a compound represented by the following structure

wherein R 2 , X, R 4 and R 6 are as defined above, in an aqueous alcohol solution, thereby forming the trisulfide compound.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aqueous alcohol solution comprises 50% isopropanol.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the method comprises reacting a compound represented by the structure:

with the 2,2′-thiodiisoindoline-1,3-dione, thereby forming the trisulfide compound represented by the structure

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound which is reacted with the 2,2′-thiodiisoindoline-1,3-dione is prepared by a method comprising reacting a compound represented by the structure

with methanesulfonyl chloride to produce a reaction product represented by the structure

and

treating the reaction product with triethylsilane and trifluoroacetic acid to produce the compound.

5. A method of treating or prophylactically treating to prevent injury to biological matter exposed to ischemic or hypoxic conditions comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective dose of a compound selected from the group consisting of

wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently a branched or straight chain C 1-10 alkyl; a branched or straight chain C 1-10 alkyl substituted with —ONO 2 ; or, a branched or straight chain C 1-10 alkyl substituted with —OH; wherein R 3 and R 4 are independently a branched or straight chain C 1-10 alkanediyl; wherein R 5 and R 6 are independently OH, an amino acid moiety, or, a straight or branched chain C 1-10 amine substituted with —ONO 2 ; wherein X and Y are independently C═O or SO 2 ; and, wherein m is 3 or 4; Z is selected from H, CH 3 , and CH 2 CH 3 ; or

a salt, ester, hydrate, solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the hypoxic or ischemic conditions are related to reperfusion injury, tissue or organ transplantation, septic shock, cardiac arrest, exposure to cold or radiation, burns, wounds, amputations, stroke, hemorrhagic shock, surgical procedures, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, kidney failure, liver failure or multiple organ failure.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the compound is administered parenterally, intravenously, as a bolus or a repeated bolus.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the hypoxic or ischemic conditions are related to reperfusion injury, tissue or organ transplantation, cardiac arrest, stroke, or hemorrhagic shock.