Other

Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.a.

Genesis Systems LLC

Shug, Austin L.

Keene, Bruce W.

Austin L Shug

Glenn O Bair

Bruce W Keene

Carl E Gulbrandsen

Stefan Gravenstein

Edward M Portman

A sustained release, orally administered pharmaceutical composition comprising carnitine and an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient is described for the treatment of carnitine deficiency and other carnitine responsive conditions. The sustained release formulation avoids the characteristic problems of gastrointestinal invitation, dumping in the urine and bacterial degradation attendant previously known oral formulations of carnitine.

Delayed release carnitine

The present invention provides biochemical assays for diagnosing premenstrual syndrome in human females. A kit for diagnosing premenstrual syndrome in a female human comprising means for determining free and esterified L-carnitine concentration in blood serum or plasma and instructions for employing said means to obtain a ratio of esterified L-carnitine to free L-carnitine. Women who have an esterified to free L-carnitine ratio of greater than about 0.22 and who have a total L-carnitine concentration greater than 20 .mu.moles/liter are diagnosed as having premenstrual syndrome.

Kits for diagnosing pre-menstrual syndrome

A method for diagnosing premenstrual syndrome in a female human comprising the step of measuring the ratio of esterified L-carnitine to free L-carnitine in a patient's serun or plasma. Women who have an esterified to free L-carnitine ratio of greater than about 0.22 are diagnosed as having premenstrual syndrome.

Methods for diagnosing pre-menstrual syndrome

A method and composition for the enhanced stimulation of antigenic response in animals and humans is disclosed. The method involves administering an effective amount of a compound of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or hydroxyl. L-carnitine and gamma-butyrobetaine are preferred compositions embraced by formula (I).

Method of stimulating antibody formation

Methods of treating reduced insulin-like growth factor levels and bone loss associated with aging which include administering L-carnitine and/or its precursors thereof are disclosed. Such administration results in increased serum insulin-like growth factor-1 and osteocalcin levels.

Method of treating reduced insulin-like growth factor and bone loss

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other conditions may be diagnosed according to the invention by measuring the level of luteinizing hormone antibodies in the system of a woman subject. A low level of such antibodies as compared to levels measured for non-PMS women indicates that the patient suffers from PMS. A patient identified by this method is then treated as needed, such as by oral administration of progesterone, to alleviate the symptoms of the condition.

Method for detecting of premenstrual syndrome

A method is described for preventing diet-induced Carnitine deficiency in domesticated dogs and cats. A daily prophylactic amount of gamma-butyrobetaine is administered to the pet either as a dietary supplement in an amount of 1.0 to 5.0 grams of gamma-butyrobetaine per day, or gamma-butyrobetaine is provided as an additional ingredient to a commercial pet food in an amount of 1.0 to 5.0 grams of gamma-butyrobetaine per kilogram pet food.

Method for preventing diet-induced carnitine deficiency in domesticated

A method is described for increasing the plasma L-Carnitine level in pets. A daily prophylactic amount of L-Carnitine is administered in the pet either as a dietary supplement in an amount of 0.2 to 2.0 grams of L-Carnitine per day, or L-Carnitine is provided as an additional ingredient to a commerical pet food in an amount of 0.2 to 2.0 grams of L-Carnitine per kilogram pet food.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Austin L Shug