EXTENDED PRODUCTION OF NITRIC OXIDE FROM A MICROENCAPSULATED NITRITE SALT AND AN AQUEOUS ACIDIFIED GEL
Methods and compositions are provided for generating and applying long-lasting therapeutic nitric oxide (NO) gas from the reaction of a least one microencapsulated nitrite salt and an activating volume of an aqueous acidified gel that has sufficient acidity to convert the nitrite salt to a nitric oxide (NO) and further provides a reducing property that retains the NO in bioactive form
1 . An extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide comprising a microencapsulated nitrite salt and an aqueous acidified gel that has sufficient acidity to convert the nitrite salt to a nitric oxide (NO) and further provides a reducing property that retains the NO in bioactive form.
2 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 , wherein the nitrite salt is selected from one or more of the group consisting of: sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, calcium nitrite, alkali metal nitrite and alkaline earth nitrite.
3 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 , wherein the acidity is provided by an organic acid selected from one or more of the group consisting of: citric acid, lactic acid, glyceric acid, formic acid and ascorbic acid.
4 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 , wherein the acidity is provided by boric acid.
5 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 , wherein the reducing property is provided by a reductant selected one or more of the group consisting of: ascorbic acid, an ascorbic acid derivative, ascorbate salts, tocopherols, erythrobates, carotenoids, tocotrienols and thiols.
6 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 , wherein the acidity is provided by a citric acid and the reducing property is provided by an ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid derivative.
7 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 , wherein the acidity and the reducing property are together provided by an ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid derivative.
8 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 , wherein the acidified aqueous gel comprises a polymer selected from one or more of the group consisting of: hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, gelatin, agar, natural gums, starches and pectins.
9 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 , wherein the acidified aqueous gel comprises a quantity of a polymer that provides a viscosity of that of a solution of from 0.7 to 3.0 w/v percent hydroxyethyl cellulose in water.
10 . A kit for providing extended release therapeutic nitric oxide to a patient comprising: a microencapsulated nitrite salt and an activating volume of an aqueous acidified gel that has sufficient acidity to convert the nitrite salt to a nitric oxide (NO) and further provides a reducing property that retains the NO in bioactive form.
11 . The kit of claim 10 , wherein the aqueous acidified gel includes ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid derivatives that provide both the sufficient acidity and the reducing property.
12 . The kit of claim 10 , further comprising an instruction to the patient to apply both the microencapsulated nitrite salt and the activating volume of aqueous acidified gel to a tissue in need thereof.
13 . The kit of claim 10 , further comprising an instruction to the patient to add a reactivating volume of aqueous acidified gel if the activating volume of aqueous acidified gel is reduced to dryness.
14 . The kit of claim 10 , wherein the kit further includes at least one reactivating volume of aqueous acidified gel in a premeasured container.
15 . The kit of claim 10 , wherein the microencapsulated nitrite salt is provided in a wound dressing or bandage and the activating volume of the aqueous acidified gel is provided in a premeasured container.
16 . The kit of claim 10 , wherein the microencapsulated nitrite salt is provided as a coating in a condom and the activating volume of the aqueous acidified gel is provided in a premeasured container.
17 . A method for treating a wound using the extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 .
18 . A method for treating hair loss using the extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 .
19 . A method for treating of sexual dysfunction using the extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of claim 1 .
20 . A method of providing extended release therapeutic nitric oxide comprising:
applying a least one microencapsulated nitrite salt;
adding an activating volume of an aqueous acidified gel that has sufficient acidity to convert the nitrite salt to a nitric oxide (NO) and further provides a reducing property that retains the NO in bioactive form.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the nitrite salt is selected from one or more of the group consisting of: sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, calcium nitrite, alkali metal nitrite and alkaline earth nitrite.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the acidity is provided by an organic acid selected from one or more of the group consisting of: citric acid, lactic acid, glyceric acid, formic acid and ascorbic acid.
23 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the acidity is provided by boric acid.
24 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the reducing property is provided by a reductant selected one or more of the group consisting of: ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid derivatives, ascorbate salts, tocopherols, erythrobates, carotenoids, tocotrienols and thiols.
25 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the sufficient acidity and the reducing property are together provided by an ascorbic acid and/or an ascorbic acid derivative.
26 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the acidity is provided by a citric acid and the reducing property is provided by an ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid derivative.