Description:
Current State of the Art
Pulmonary oxygen toxicity is a condition resulting from the harmful effects of breathing molecular oxygen at elevated partial pressures. Oxygen toxicity is a concern for scuba divers, those on high concentrations of supplemental oxygen (particularly premature babies), and those undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Problems with the Current Art
Supplemental oxygen in premature infants contributes to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and high-pressure oxygen delivery in general results in necrotizing bronchiolitis and alveolar septal injury. Currently, the only way to manage oxygen toxicity is to prevent it by reducing the level of fractional oxygen inspired.
Advantages of Invention
Peptide antagonists of this invention prevent pulmonary oxygen toxicity while allowing the maintenance of beneficial levels of supplemental oxygen. The peptide antagonists block eNOS-beta-actin association and prevent peroxynitrite formation and endothelial cell injuries caused by hyperoxia.
Patent Status: PCT Filed
Inventors: Yunchao Su and Dmitry Kondrikov
Case Number: GHSU 2010-038