The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Andrew P Levy

Mark A Goldberg

Transition metal ions enhance the ability of the body to increase vascularization, particularly for revascularizing damaged tissues, apparently because they enhance expression of the vegF gene, so as to increase VEGF levels. According, hypoxic tissue damage can be treated or prophylactically reduced by administering a composition comprising a transition metal ion capable of stimulating vascularization. Treatment can be accomplished using compositions of matter which include a transition metal ion in a sterile, biologically compatible carrier, packaged as a unit dosage effective to increase vascularization in hypoxic tissue. For systemic administration, the transition metal ion is formulated at a concentration that is non-toxic and ineffective to increase vascularization in non-hypoxic tissue. For local administration, the transition metal ions are formulated in a slow-releasing carrier to release the transition metal ions continually over a prolonged period in an amount effective to increase vascularization locally. For example, for topical application, the composition may be a salve, a gel, or a patch. For internal slow release or for topical application, the composition may be formulated in a slow release matrix.

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Brookline, MA, United States of America

Andrew P Levy