| abstract |
In accordance with the present invention, a method for reducing the in vivo concentration of nitrogen oxides in a mammalian subject is provided. In contrast to the inhibition described in the prior art (i.e., the action of the enzyme that produces nitrogen oxides is inhibited), the present invention utilizes a scavenging method in which the overgenerated nitrogen oxides are bound in vivo to a suitable nitrogen oxide scavenger. Nitrogen oxides are made harmless by the obtained complex and are eventually secreted into the urine of the host. In addition, according to the present invention, compositions and formulations useful for carrying out the method are provided. The invention also relates to a method for reducing the in vivo concentration of NO, which is a method for treating a subject with an inflammatory and / or infectious disease. Dithiocarbamate-containing nitrogen oxide scavengers are administered to hosts in need of such treatment, and these scavengers interact with NO generated in vivo to form stable dithiocarbamate-metal-NO complexes. The NO-containing complex is then filtered through the kidneys, concentrated in urine and eventually secreted by the subject to be treated, resulting in a decrease in NO concentration in vivo. |