Pyrazolidinol compounds

Abstract

The invention provides the use of an optionally hydroxyl-protected 4-hydroxy or hydroperoxy-3,5-dioxopyrazolidine or an equivalent wherein a pyrazolidine ring attached oxygen is replaced by a sulphur, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for use in drug therapy or prophylaxis. Additionally, the invention provides a method of combating HIV infection which comprises administering to an HIV-infected patient a T-lymphocyte growth suppressing agent, preferably a pyrazolidinol, in an amount sufficient to suppress T-lymphocyte growth in said patient for a period sufficient to reduce the T-lymphocyte concentration in lymph nodes in said patient.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 . A method of treatment of the human or non-human body to combat an inflammatory or viral disease, which method comprises administering to said body an optionally hydroxy-protected 4-hydroxy or hydroperoxy-3,5-dioxo-pyrazolidine or an equivalent wherein a pyrazolidine ring attached oxygen is replaced by a sulphur, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  comprising administering said optionally hydroxy-protected 4-hydroxy or hydroperoxy-3,5-dioxo-pyrazolidine or an equivalent wherein a pyrazolidine ring attached oxygen is replaced by a sulphur, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof in combination with another antiviral agent.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said additional antiviral agent is at least one antiviral agent selected from a reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a protease inhibitor.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said additional antiviral agent is an agent selected from the group of AZT, indinavir, nevirapine and 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine (dal).  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said disease is a disease caused by a pathogen from the group of togaviridea, reoviridea, picornaviridea, hantaviridea, orthomyxoviridea, paramyxoviridea, mononegaviralis, viral hepatitis, haemorrhagic fevers, flaviviridea, viral encephalitis, coronaviridea, calciviridea, adenoviridea, papovaviridea, arboviridea, pox virus, rhabdoviridea, arenaviridea HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-I, HTLV-II and herpes viruses.  
     
     
         7 . A method of combatting HIV infection which comprises administering to an HIV-infected patient a T-lymphocyte growth suppressing agent in an amount sufficient to suppress T-lymphocyte growth in said patient for a period sufficient to reduce the T-lymphocyte concentration in the lymphatic system in said patient by at least 25% said administration being repeated at intervals of at least 3 months.  
     
     
         8 . A method combatting HIV infection as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said T-lymphocyte growth suppressing agent is a pyrazolidinol.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said interval is at least 9 months.  
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein a 4-hydroxy or hydroperoxy-3,5-dioxo-pyrazolidine or an equivalent wherein a pyrazolidine ring attached oxygen is replaced by a sulphur, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof is administered in a daily dose of 0.1 to 10 μmol/kg dobyweight.  
     
     
         11 - 26 . (canceled)