Method to enhance delivery of glutathione and atp levels in cells

Abstract

A therapeutic method is provided comprising treating a mammal subject to hypoxia with an amount of 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid (RibCys) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof effective to both maintain, restore or increase both the ATP levels and the glutathione (GSH) levels in said tissue.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of maintaining normal ATP and glutathione levels in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to said mammal, wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid maintains normal ATP and glutathione levels in the mammal in need thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered orally, parenterally, intravenously, or intraperitoneally. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered orally. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered intravenously. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said mammal has a tissue injury. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered in a unit dosage form comprising 20% (w/w) of RibCys. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid is administered in a liquid. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said liquid further comprises an effective amount of ribose to inhibit premature dissociation of the 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said liquid comprises an effective amount of ribose to inhibit premature in vitro dissociation of the 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said method consists of administering an effective amount of 2(R,S)-D-ribo-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidone-4(R)-carboxylic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to said mammal.