Steroid compound for use in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy

Abstract

The present invention provides the steroidal compound 3□-ethynyl-3□-hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating hepatic encephalopathy, comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of 3α-ethynyl-3β-hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a patient in need thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said hepatic encephalopathy is minimal hepatic encephalopathy. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said hepatic encephalopathy is overt hepatic encephalopathy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said hepatic encephalopathy is type A hepatic encephalopathy. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said hepatic encephalopathy is type B hepatic encephalopathy. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said hepatic encephalopathy is type C hepatic encephalopathy. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said patient suffers from acute liver failure. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said patient suffers from chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said compound is provided before, during or after a liver transplantation. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the treatment comprises the co-administration of 3α-ethynyl-3β-hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime with an ammonia-lowering compound. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the ammonia-lowering compound is selected from the group consisting of rifaximin, lactulose, ornithine phenylacetate and glycerol phenyl butyrate. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the ammonia-lowering compound is selected from the group consisting of rifaximin and lactulose. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the ammonia-lowering compound is rifaximin. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising the 3α-ethynyl-3β-hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients and or diluents. 
     
     
         29 . A method of preventing hepatic encephalopathy, comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of 3α-ethynyl-3β-hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a patient in need thereof.