Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Claudy J Mullon

Robert Samuel Langer

Robert S Lees

Hugh D Conlon

Paul J Soltys

A method and apparatus for reducing the levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in blood is disclosed. The LDL is contacted with an enzyme which modifies it in a manner such that the LDL is rapidly removed endogenously by the patients' own metabolic processes. The enzyme may be introduced into the patient by injection, transdermal transport, nasal insufflation and ingestion. Additionally, the enzyme may be contained in a reactor for both in vivo and extracorporeal use.

Reduction of low density lipoproteins in biological fluids

Levels of bilirubin in mammalian serum are controlled by administering to the mammalian intestinal tract a substance (a 'bilirubin deactivator') that converts unconjugated bilirubin into nontoxic, physiologically compatible products, thereby reducing reabsorption of unconjugated bilirubin in enterohepatic circulation. Useful bilirubin deactivators include those which specifically adsorb the bilirubin and are excreted, and 'bilirubin conversion enzymes', i.e., enzymes that operate on the unconjugated bilirubin substrate to yield products that are physiologically compatible in that they are not reabsorbed, or, if reabsorbed, they are nontoxic in the blood stream.

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Burlington, MA, United States of America

Claudy J Mullon