Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc.

The Beth Israel Hospital Association

Steven D Freedman

Juan G Alvarez

Irving Waxman

This invention features methods for treating diseases associated with mutations in the CFTR gene by administering PPAR agonists, specifically PPAR&#x3b3;, PPAR&#x3b1;, and PPAR&#x3b4; agonists, PPAR inducers, and/or antioxidants. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying therapeutically useful candidate compounds.

Methods for modulating PPAR biological activity for the treatment of diseases caused by mutations in the CFTR gene

A method of treating disorders in which DHA levels are affected is described. The method includes administering to a subject suffering from the disorder a therapeutically affective amount of DHA. This method is particularly useful in treating subjects suffering from a disorder characterized by a defect in the CF gene, e.g., cystic fibrosis, or a chronic inflammatory disorder, e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis or chronic gastritis. A method of ameliorating affects of cystic fibrosis in a newborn and a method of increasing surfactant levels in a fetus are also described.

Methods for treating disorders in which docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels are affected

A method of treating disorders in which DHA levels are affected is described. The method includes administering to a subject suffering from the disorder a therapeutically affective amount of DHA. This method is particularly useful in treating subjects suffering from a disorder characterized by a defect in the CF, gene, e.g. cystic fibrosis, or a chronic inflammatory disorder, e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis or chronic gastritis. A method of ameliorating affects of cystic fibrosis in a newborn and a method of increasing surfactant levels in a fetus are also described.

A method for accurately and quickly positioning a double lumen gastroduodenal tube into predetermined locations utilizing an endoscopically placed guide wire to retrieve duodenal fluid uncontaminated by gastric fluid, with little or no discomfort to the patient, and minimal radiation exposure. Specifically, an endoscope is passed through a patent's esophagus and stomach into the duodenum such that its distal end is located at a predetermined location, such as the fourth portion of the duodenum. While the endoscope is held in place, a guide-wire is passed through its center instrument channel to position a distal end of the guide-wire adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope. The endoscope is then withdrawn from the patient, leaving the guide-wire. A double lumen gastroduodenal tube is then threaded over the guide-wire such that gastric ports are aligned with the stomach and duodenal ports are aligned with the fourth portion of the duodenum so that upon aspiration of the gastric ports, the gastric fluid is prevented from entering the duodenum and contaminating the duodenal fluid.

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Chestnut Hill, MA, United States of America

Steven D Freedman