Methods for prevention and treatment of acute renal injury

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for protecting a kidney from renal injury. For example, acute renal injury may be associated with decreased or blocked blood flow in the subject's kidney or exposure to a nephrotoxic agent, such as a radiocontrast dye. The methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to a subject in need thereof.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for treating or preventing acute liver injury in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a peptide selected from the group consisting of Phe-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH 2  (SS-20) and D-Arg-2′6′Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH 2  (SS-31). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the acute renal injury is associated with exposure of the subject to a nephrotoxic agent. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the peptide is administered to the subject prior to or simultaneously with the exposure to the nephrotoxic agent. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the nephrotoxic agent is a radiocontrast dye. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the radiocontrast dye is selected from the group consisting of: acetrizoate; diatrizoate; iodamide; ioglicate; iothalamate; ioxithalamate; metrizoate; metrizamide; iohexol; iopamidol; iopentol; iopromide; and ioversol. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the nephrotoxic agent is a drug or chemical. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the drug or chemical is one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of: cisplatin; gentamicin; cephaloridine; cyclosporine; amphotericin; carbon tetrachloride; trichloroethylene; and dichloroacetylene.