Compositions for inhibiting intestinal iron absorption

Abstract

Methods and compositions of matter are provided that enable a phased reduction of body iron stores to near a iron deficiency level, and thereafter maintain the body iron stores at that level by reducing further iron accumulation. In a first phase, a patient's body iron stores are reduced to a level of near iron deficiency by regular periodic phlebotomy or use of pharmacological agents, such as iron chelators, for example, over a period of six to twelve months. In a second phase, ingested iron absorption is controlled using an oral dose, taken at mealtimes, of any of various compounds that inhibit intestinal iron absorption, or by continuing, less frequent phlebotomy.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of reducing and maintaining body iron stores of a patient to a near-iron deficiency level comprising: 
 during a first phase of treatment, reducing iron body stores to a predetermined level corresponding to near-iron deficiency; and    during a second phase of treatment, maintaining iron body stores at the predetermined level.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    wherein, during the first phase, periodic phlebotomies are performed.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 2    wherein, during the first period, the periodic phlebotomies are performed at regular intervals.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 2    wherein, during the first phase, the patient ingests oral doses at mealtimes of an iron chelator selected to inhibit intestinal iron absorption.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 2    wherein, during the first phase, an iron chelator is administered to the patient by continuous subcutaneous infusion.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1    wherein, during the second phase, periodic phlebotomies are performed.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1    wherein, during the second phase, the patient ingests an oral dose of an iron binding compound.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 7    wherein the patient ingests the oral dose of the iron binding compound on a daily basis.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the patient ingests the oral dose of the iron binding compound at mealtime.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 7    wherein, during the second phase, the patient ingests an oral dose of a compound selected from the group consisting of calcium salts, phytic acid salts, zinc, tin protoporphyrin, tin mesoporphyrin, chromium protoporphyrin and chromium mesoporphyrin, zinc protoporphyrin and zinc mesoporphyrin, conglycinin, a hydrolyzable tannin, a condensed tannin, lipoic acid or derivative, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 1    wherein, during the first phase and after an initial reduction in iron body stores, the patient ingests an oral dose of vitamin A between mealtimes to enhance the mobilization of iron body stores.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 1    wherein, during the first phase and after an initial reduction in iron body stores, the patient ingests an oral dose of vitamin C between mealtimes to enhance the mobilization of iron body stores.  
     
     
         13 . A composition of matter for treating disease states associated with iron metabolism by inhibiting in patients having a stable near-deficiency level of stored iron, an oral dose suitable for ingestion at mealtimes of an iron binding compound in an amount effective to inhibit intestinal iron absorption.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of    claim 13    wherein the iron binding compound is selected from the group consisting of calcium salts, phytic acid salts, zinc, tin protoporphyrin, tin mesoporphyrin, chromium protoporphyrin, chromium mesoporphyrin, zinc protoporphyrin and zinc mesoporphyrin, conglycinin, a hydrolyzable tannin, a condensed tannin, lipoic acid or derivative and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of    claim 14    wherein the iron binding compound comprises an oral dose of 25 to 500 mg of a non-toxic salt of phytic acid.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of    claim 14    wherein the iron binding compound comprises an oral dose of up to 600 mg of a non-toxic calcium salt.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of    claim 14    wherein the iron binding compound comprises an oral dose of up to 5000 mg of a tannin.  
     
     
         18 . A composition of matter for use in treating patients afflicted with NIDDM, primary hypertension, hemochromatosis, thalassemia or atherosclerosis comprising a mixture of 10 to 80% by weight of a non-toxic calcium salt and 20 to 90% by weight of a non-toxic salt of phytic acid in amounts effective to inhibit intestinal iron absorption.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of matter of    claim 13    further comprising 5 to 10% by weight zinc.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of matter of    claim 13    when further prepared for oral dosing in a form selected from the group consisting of a capsule, a granulated powder, a tablet, a liquid and a syrup.