abstract |
A method for treating or preventing cardiovascular pathologies by administering a compound of the formula (I): wherein Z is C-O or a covalent bond; Y is H or O(C<SUB>1</SUB>-C<SUB>4</SUB>)alkyl, R<SUP>1 </SUP>and R<SUP>2 </SUP>are individually (C<SUB>1</SUB>-C<SUB>4</SUB>)alkyl or together with N are a saturated heterocyclic group, R<SUP>3 </SUP>is ethyl or chloroethyl, R<SUP>4 </SUP>is H, R<SUP>5 </SUP>is I, O(C<SUB>1</SUB>-C<SUB>4</SUB>)alkyl or H and R<SUP>6 </SUP>is I, O(C<SUB>1</SUB>-C<SUB>4</SUB>)alkyl or H with the proviso that when R<SUP>4</SUP>, R<SUP>5</SUP>, and R<SUP>6 </SUP>are H, R<SUP>3 </SUP>is not ethyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, effective to elevate the level of TGF-beta to treat and/or prevent conditions such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke is provided. Useful compounds include idoxifene, toremifene or salts thereof. Further provided is a method for identifying an agent that elevates the level of TGF-beta. Another embodiment of the invention is an assay or kit to determine TGF-beta in vitro. Also provided is a therapeutic method comprising inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation associated with procedural vascular trauma employing the administration of tamoxifin or structural analogs thereof, including compounds of formula (I). |