Glutathione

Abstract

The use of glutathione to treat or prophylax smallpox infection, to treat or prophylax chemical warfare agents, or to treat or prophylax radiation injury to humans due to release of radioactive elements is proposed. The preferred formulation is an oral dosage form, with reduced glutathione stabilized by ascorbic acid in at least equimolar concentration. The formulation may be in unit dosage form or in bulk.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating or propylaxing a mammal against at least one of nuclear, biological and chemical threats, comprising orally administering a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation of glutathione, or a glutathione salt or derivative, in sufficient amount to prophylax against or treat such threats. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises at least two of nuclear, biological and chemical. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises each of nuclear, biological and chemical. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a radioactive element threat which damages tissues through ionizing radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a chemical threat which damages tissues through generation of free radical reactions. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a chemical threat which comprises a chemical warfare agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a mustard gas chemical threat. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a biological threat whose pathology is associated with an oxidative stress on the host organism. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a biological threat whose replication is promoted by oxidized cellular conditions. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a biological threat which comprises a bioterror agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a smallpox biological threat. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises an anthrax biological threat. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threat comprises a biological threat which is associated with sepsis. 
     
     
         14 . A pharmaceutical formulation for treatment or prophylaxis of nuclear, biological and chemical threats, comprising an orally bioavailable formulation of glutathione or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, provided in sufficient quantity to intercede to prevent death of a human as a result of said threats. 
     
     
         15 . The pharmaceutical formulation according to  claim 14 , wherein said glutathione is provided in an amount of at least one gram per unit dose. 
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutical formulation according to  claim 14 , wherein said formulation is provided as a bulk powder stabilized against oxidation by a sacrificial antioxidant.