Glycosaminoglycan Compositions and Methods for Treating Connective Tissue Damage

Abstract

A pharmaceutical preparation and method for treating connective tissue damage in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a glycosaminoglycan composition comprising chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronan, and N-acetyl D-glucosamine, wherein the connective tissue is skin.

1 . A method for treating connective tissue damage in a mammal comprising directly administering to skin of a mammal in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising therapeutic amounts of chondroitin sulfate, N-acetyl D-glucosamine, and hyaluronan, wherein said connective tissue is skin. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of chondroitin sulfate comprises from between about 0.5 grams to about 1.5 grams of a suitable chondroitin sulfate per unit dose of the composition. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the chondroitin sulfate is chondroitin 4-sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of N-acetyl D-glucosamine is from about 0.5 grams to about 1.5 grams of N-acetyl D-glucosamine per unit dose of the composition. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of hyaluronan is from about 10 mg to about 50 mg of hyaluronan per unit dose of said composition. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a sterile solution for administration or dispersed onto or within a deformable semi-solid or solid material adapted for administration onto an affected area of said connective tissue of a human or animal body. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said material is dissolvable or biodegradable and in the form of a mesh, gauze, bandage, a surgical suture, or staple material suitable for a surgical process or device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered in combination with one or more therapeutic agents. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of a synthetic or a non-synthetic corticosteroid agent, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, antirheumatic agent, immunoregulatory agent, immunosuppressant agent, articular function augmentory agent, interleukin production inhibitor, growth factor, and a tissue or a stem cell having a therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said therapeutic agent is a corticosteroid agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said therapeutic agent is a tissue or a stem cell having a therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating connective tissue damage in a mammal comprising directly administering to skin of a mammal in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a composition consisting essentially of therapeutic amounts of chondroitin sulfate, N-acetyl D-glucosamine, and hyaluronan, wherein said connective tissue is skin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of chondroitin sulfate comprises from between about 0.5 grams to about 1.5 grams of a suitable chondroitin sulfate per unit dose of the composition. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the chondroitin sulfate is chondroitin 4-sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of N-acetyl D-glucosamine is from about 0.5 grams to about 1.5 grams of N-acetyl D-glucosamine per unit dose of the composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of hyaluronan is from about 10 mg to about 50 mg of hyaluronan per unit dose of said composition. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is a sterile solution for administration or dispersed onto or within a deformable semi-solid or solid material adapted for administration onto an affected area of said connective tissue of a human or animal body. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said material is dissolvable or biodegradable and in the form of a mesh, gauze, bandage, a surgical suture, or staple material suitable for a surgical process or device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is administered in combination with one or more therapeutic agents. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of a synthetic or a non-synthetic corticosteroid agent, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, antirheumatic agent, immunoregulatory agent, immunosuppressant agent, articular function augmentory agent, interleukin production inhibitor, growth factor, and a tissue or a stem cell having a therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said therapeutic agent is a corticosteroid agent. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said therapeutic agent is a tissue or a stem cell having a therapeutic effect.