Method of stabilizing lipid-rich plaque and method of preventing rupture thereof

Abstract

A method of stabilizing lipid-rich plaques and method of preventing the rupture thereof, characterized in that an effective amount of 2-[4-[2-(benzimidazol-2-ylthio)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl]-N-[2,4-bis(methylthio)-6-methyl-3-pyridyl]acetamide, its acid adduct salt or a hydrate thereof is administered to patients with lipid-rich plaques. Prevention of plaque rupture and stabilization of plaques can be attained by reducing the occupancy of macrophages in lipid-rich plaques being unstable and tending to rupture among plaques being a lesion from a seat of atherosclerosis and simultaneously increasing the occupancy of collagen therein.

1 . A method of preventing acute coronary syndrome due to the rupture of lipid-rich plaques, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of 2-[4-[2-(benzimidazol-2-ylthio)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl]-N-[2,4-bis(methylthio)-6-methyl-3-pyridyl]acetamide, an acid salt thereof or a hydrate thereof to a patient with lipid-rich plaques, whereby rupture of lipid rich plaques is prevented. 
     
     
         2 . A method of preventing acute myocardial infarction due to the rupture of lipid-rich plaques, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of 2-[4-[2-(benzimidazol-2-ylthio)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl]-N-[2,4-bis(methylthio)-6-methyl-3-pyridyl]acetamide, an acid salt thereof or a hydrate thereof to a patient with lipid-rich plaques, whereby rupture of lipid rich plaques is prevented. 
     
     
         3 . A method of preventing unstable angina due to the rupture of lipid-rich plaques, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of 2-[4-[2-(benzimidazol-2-ylthio)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl]-N-[2,4-bis(methylthio)-6-methyl-3-pyridyl]acetamide, an acid salt thereof or a hydrate thereof to a patient with lipid-rich plaques, whereby rupture of lipid rich plaques is prevented. 
     
     
         4 . A method of preventing peripheral artery obstruction due to the rupture of lipid-rich plaques, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of 2-[4-[2-(benzimidazol-2-ylthio)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl]-N-[2,4-bis(methylthio)-6-methyl-3-pyridyl]acetamide, an acid salt thereof or a hydrate thereof to a patient with lipid-rich plaques, whereby rupture of lipid rich plaques is prevented.