Induction of arteriogenesis with an no (nitric oxide) donor

Abstract

The present invention inter alia relates to a method of promoting collateral circulation comprising the step of exposing a subject to a therapeutically effective amount of an NO donor wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the NO donor promotes arteriogenesis sufficient to augment collateral circulation in a physiological or pathological condition.

1 . An NO donor for use in a method for the prevention or treatment of an arterial insufficiency, wherein the NO donor is administered in an intermitting manner in an amount effective for the induction of arteriogenesis. 
     
     
         2 . The NO donor for use of  claim 1 , wherein the arterial insufficiency is characterized by a partial or complete occlusion of an arterial vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 1  or  2 , wherein the arterial insufficiency is due to the deposition of material in the blood vessels, or wherein the arterial insufficiency is due to an external or internal compression of an artery. 
     
     
         4 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the arterial insufficiency is a vascular disease, or wherein the arterial insufficiency is a disease selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, an ischemic disease and a further chronic arterial disease, or wherein the arterial insufficiency is a coronary arterial insufficiency, a cerebral arterial insufficiency, a peripheral arterial insufficiency, an intestinal arterial insufficiency, an urogenital arterial insufficiency, a nerval arterial insufficiency, scleroderma, or a central retinal artery insufficiency. 
     
     
         5 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the NO donor is nitric oxide, sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate), isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), molsidomin, amyl nitrite or nicorandil, in particular wherein the NO donor is nitroglycerin. 
     
     
         6 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the NO donor is a short acting NO donor. 
     
     
         7 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the NO donor at least once a day and at least on one day a week for at least two weeks. 
     
     
         8 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the NO donor is administered for a period of several weeks or months. 
     
     
         9 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the NO donor is administered in conjunction with an exogenous stimulation of the pulsatile shear forces in the artery. 
     
     
         10 . The NO donor for use of  claim 9 , wherein the NO donor is administered in the time period of 30 minutes before the onset of the exogenous stimulation until 30 minutes after the termination of the exogenous stimulation. 
     
     
         11 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 9  or  10 , wherein said stimulation is achieved by physical exercise or the application of an endogenous force to the arterial vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The NO donor for use of any of  claim 1  to  11 , wherein the method aims at the prevention of said arterial insufficiency. 
     
     
         13 . The NO donor for use of any of  claims 1  to  12 , wherein the NO donor is administered lingually, sublingually, inhalatively, bucally, transmucosally or oromucosally. 
     
     
         14 . An NO donor for use in a method of the suppression of negative effects associated with any treatment of an arterial insufficiency which is anti-anteriogenic or inhibiting arteriogenesis, wherein the NO donor is administered to a subject subjected to said treatment in an amount and manner effective for the induction of arteriogenesis, in particular wherein the NO donor is defined as in any of  claims 2  to  13 . 
     
     
         15 . An NO donor for use in a method for the prevention or treatment of a cardiac arrhythmia, wherein the NO donor is administered to a subject in an amount and manner effective for the treatment of said cardiac arrhythmia, in particular wherein the NO donor is defined as in any of  claims 5  to  13 .