METHOD TO ENHANCE DELIVERY OF GLUTATHIONE AND ATP LEVELS IN CELLS
A therapeutic method is provided comprising treating a mammal subject to hypoxia with an amount of 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid (RibCys) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof effective to both maintain, restore or increase both the ATP levels and the glutathione (GSH) levels in said tissue.
1 - 22 . (canceled)
23 . A method of maintaining normal ATP and glutathione levels in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to said mammal, wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid maintains normal ATP and glutathione levels in the mammal in need thereof.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered orally, parenterally, intravenously, or intraperitoneally.
25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered orally.
26 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered intravenously.
27 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said mammal has a tissue injury.
28 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered in a unit dosage form comprising 20% (w/w) of RibCys.
29 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered in a liquid.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein said liquid further comprises an effective amount of ribose to inhibit premature dissociation of the 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein said liquid comprises an effective amount of ribose to inhibit premature in vitro dissociation of the 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid.
32 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said method consists of administering an effective amount of 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to said mammal.