Use of short chain fatty acids for the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders

Abstract

The invention relates to compositions and methods that include short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), related therapeutic compounds, and other compounds, including combinations thereof, for the treatment or prevention of diseases or disorders.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a condition, the method comprising:
 a) administering a first pharmaceutical composition to a subject in need thereof, wherein the first pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound that is a short chain fatty acid or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof; and   b) administering a second pharmaceutical composition to the subject, wherein the second pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically-effective amount of a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the condition is a skin disorder. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the condition is psoriasis. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the condition is an autoimmune disorder. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the short chain fatty acid is butyric acid. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the short chain fatty acid is propionic acid. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the compound is butyric acid or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, and wherein the first pharmaceutical composition further comprises an additional short chain fatty acid or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, wherein the additional short chain fatty acid is propionic acid or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the PDE4 inhibitor is apremilast. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the therapeutically-effective amount of the PDE4 inhibitor is from about 10 mg to about 15 mg. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first pharmaceutical composition further comprises vitamin D3 in an amount of from about 50 IU to about 200 IU. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral administration. 
     
     
         42 . A kit comprising:
 a) a first pharmaceutical composition, wherein the first pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound that is a short chain fatty acid or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, and   b) a second pharmaceutical composition, wherein the second pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound that is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor.   
     
     
         43 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the short chain fatty acid is butyric acid. 
     
     
         44 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the short chain fatty acid is propionic acid. 
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the compound is butyric acid or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, and wherein the first pharmaceutical composition further comprises an additional short chain fatty acid or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, wherein the additional short chain fatty acid is propionic acid or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         46 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the PDE4 inhibitor is apremilast. 
     
     
         47 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the therapeutically-effective amount of the PDE4 inhibitor is from about 10 mg to about 15 mg. 
     
     
         48 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the first pharmaceutical composition further comprises vitamin D3 in an amount of from about 50 IU to about 200 IU. 
     
     
         49 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the first pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral administration. 
     
     
         50 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the first pharmaceutical composition and the second pharmaceutical composition are in a unit dosage form.