Methods of treating cardiovascular disorders associated with atherosclerosis

1. A method of treating a cardiovascular disorder associated with atherosclerosis in a mammalian subject in need thereof comprising orally administering to said subject a hydrogen ion-exchanged layered phyllosilicate material in an amount effective to reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation in said subject.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cardiovascular disorder is selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cerebral artery disease, peripheral artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, plaque rupture, plaque erosion, acute coronary syndrome, transient ischemia attack, angina, unstable angina, thrombosis, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, and transplantation-induced sclerosis.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammalian subject is afflicted with cardiovascular atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular atherosclerosis, peripheral vessel atherosclerosis, coronary heart atherosclerosis or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammalian subject is afflicted with obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesteremia, or a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the layered phyllosilicate material comprises at least 90% homoionic hydrogen cations, in relation to all interlayer exchangeable cations, and has a particle size less than 74 μm.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the layered phyllosilicate material prevents synthesis and adsorption of cholesterol in or from the gastrointestinal tract thereby reducing of atherosclerotic lesion formation in the subject.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the layered phyllosilicate material further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or adjuvant.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammalian subject is human.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising administering a standard of care therapeutic to said subject.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the standard of care therapeutic is a cholesterol-reducing agent.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cholesterol-reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of a statin-related agent, nicotinic acid, a fibrate, bile acid resins, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, salicylic acid, a phytosterol, an alginate or a pectin, lecithin and a nutraceutical associated with cholesterol reduction.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the statin-related agent is selected from the group consisting of lovastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin and fluvastatin.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the layered phyllosilicate material is administered concurrently with the therapeutic agent.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the layered phyllosilicate material and the standard of care therapeutic are administered sequentially.

15. A method of treating a cardiovascular disorder associated with atherosclerosis in a mammalian subject in need thereof comprising orally administering to said subject a combination therapy comprising (a) a hydrogen ion-exchanged layered phyllosilicate material and (b) a standard of care therapeutic,

wherein the combination therapy is administered in an amount effective to reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation in said subject.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cardiovascular disorder is selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cerebral artery disease, peripheral artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, plaque rupture, plaque erosion, acute coronary syndrome, transient ischemia attack, angina, unstable angina, thrombosis, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, and transplantation-induced sclerosis.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the mammalian subject is afflicted with cardiovascular atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular atherosclerosis, peripheral vessel atherosclerosis, coronary heart atherosclerosis or a combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the layered phyllosilicate material comprises at least 90% homoionic hydrogen cations, in relation to all interlayer exchangeable cations, and has a particle size less than 74 μm.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the mammalian subject is human.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the standard of care therapeutic is a cholesterol-reducing agent.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the cholesterol-reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of a statin-related agent, nicotinic acid, a fibrate, bile acid resins, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, salicylic acid, a phytosterol, an alginate or a pectin, lecithin and a nutraceutical associated with cholesterol reduction.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the statin-related agent is selected from the group consisting of lovastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin and fluvastatin.

23. The method of claim 15 , wherein the layered phyllosilicate material is administered concurrently with the standard of care therapeutic.

24. The method of claim 15 , wherein the layered phyllosilicate material and the standard of care therapeutic are administered sequentially.

25. A method of treating a cardiovascular disorder associated with atherosclerosis in a mammalian subject in need thereof in which treatment with a standard of care therapeutic is contraindicated, wherein the method comprises orally administering to the subject a hydrogen ion-exchanged layered phyllosilicate material in an amount effective to reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation in the subject.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the standard of care therapeutic is a cholesterol-lowering agent.

27. The method of claim 25 , wherein the standard of care therapeutic is a plant sterol.

28. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen ion-exchanged layered phyllosilicate material is prepared by contacting a layered phyllosilicate material having exchangeable cations that are predominantly sodium or calcium with a hydrogen ion-exchange resin.