Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Matthew S Cowlen

Benjamin R Yerxa

Janet L Rideout

William Pendergast

Sammy Ray Shaver

Ward M Peterson

Edward G Brown

Arthur C Jones

Zhen Zhang

The present invention is directed to a method of altering the amount or composition of synovial fluids secreted from joints in a subject in need of such treatment. The method comprises administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a P2Y purinergic receptor agonist in an amount effective to alter the amount or composition of synovial fluids. The P2Y purinergic receptor agonist is administered in an amount effective to stimulate secretion of synovial fluid, lubricin, hyaluronic acid, or surface-active phospholipids; to enhance joint lubrication; or to treat osteoarthritis. The pharmaceutical compositions useful in the present invention comprise a P2Y purinergic receptor agonist of Formula I and include, but are not limited to: uridine-, adenosine-, cytidine-5'-di- or triphosphates, dinucleoside polyphosphates, and analogs thereof. The invention is useful for treating conditions associated with reduced joint lubrication and joint stiffness, such as osteoarthritis.

Joint lubrication with P2Y purinergic receptor agonists

The invention provides a method of regulating water and mucin secretions and fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract. The invention also provides a method for treating a gastrointestinal disease in which the mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal system is impaired. The invention additionally provides a method for correcting disorders of fluid secretion or absorption in the gastrointestinal system. The method comprises administering to a patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising a purinergic P2Y receptor agonist, in an amount effective to regulate water and mucin secretions or to correct abnormal fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract. The pharmaceutical composition used in this invention comprises a P2Y purinergic receptor agonist such as uridine 5&prime;-diphosphate (UDP), uridine 5&prime;-triphosphate (UTP), cytidine 5&prime;-diphosphate (CDP), cytidine 5&prime;-triphosphate (CTP), adenosine 5&prime;-diphosphate (ADP), adenosine 5&prime;-triphosphate (ATP), and their analogs; and dinucleotide polyphosphate compounds of general Formula (IV). Said compound is prepared in an oral form, an injectable form, or a suppository form, and administered to a patient.

Method of treating gastrointestinal tract disease with purinergic receptor agonists

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Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

Matthew S Cowlen