| abstract |
This invention concerns new methods and compositions that are useful in preventing and ameliorating cachexia, the clinical syndrome of poor nutritional status and bodily wasting associated with cancer and other chronic diseases. More particularly, the invention relates to aromatic guanylhydrazone compounds of formulae <CHEM> or <CHEM> wherein all groups designated as X represent GhyCH or GhyCCH3, Ghy being a guanylhydrazone group, X2 in the first formula, and X'1, X'2 and X'3 in the second formula can also represent H, and all the other groups have the meanings given in the specification, compositions and their use to inhibit the uptake of arginine by macrophages and/or its conversion to urea. These compounds, compositions and methods are also useful in preventing the generation of nitric oxide (NO) by cells, and so to prevent NO-mediated inflammation and other responses in persons in need of same. In another embodiment, the compounds can be used to inhibit arginine uptake in arginine-dependent tumors and infections. |