University of North Texas

Lescarden Inc.

Robert W Gracy

S Dan Dimitrijevich

William T Sherman

The present invention provides a non-contracting tissue equivalent comprising at least one cellular component and at least one non-cellular component. The tissue equivalent closely resembles normal tissue in being substantially non-contracting. In addition, the non-contracting tissue equivalent is translucent, allowing direct visual observation of the different layers of cells in the tissue equivalent. The non-contracting tissue equivalent is useful for a variety of complete tissue replacements including skin and cornea. The non-contracting tissue equivalent is useful for in vitro testing, evaluation and screening of potential pharmaceuticals or consumer products, production of biocompatible clinical products for tissue replacement and augmentation, and research studies on fundamental aspects of tissue structure and function. The capability for direct visual observation of layers of cells permits manual or automated assessment of important biological parameters of the tissue, including cell viability, proliferation, motility, and differentiation.

Non-contracting tissue equivalent

The methods of the present invention relate to administering to a mammal afflicted with osteoarthritis an effective amount of poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (poly-NAG), partially depolimerized poly-NAG, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of poly-NAG, or mixtures thereof, to treat osteoarthritis and/or alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis such as pain, joint tenderness and swelling and impaired joint mobility. The present invention also comprises solid and liquid pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising poly-NAG, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and mixtures thereof. These dosage forms may be administered orally and by-injection to treat osteoarthritis and/or alleviate the symptoms thereof.

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Fort Worth, TX, United States of America

Robert W Gracy