| abstract |
The present invention is related to a method for enhancing or accelerating re-epithelialization or re-endothelialization of a tissue. Examples of re-epithelialization in which the invention is particularly suited include, but are not limited to, re-epithelialization of (a) skin following surgical wounds, (b) skin abrasions caused by mechanical trauma, caustic agents or burns, (c) cornea following cataract surgery or corneal transplants, (d) mucosal epithelium (respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, mammary, oral cavity, ocular tissue, liver and kidney) following infection, nonpathological etiologies or drug therapy, (e) skin following grafting and (f) renal tubule following acute tubular necrosis. Examples of re-endothelialization in which the invention is particularly suited include, but are not limited to, re-endothelialization (or regrowth of endothelium) in blood vessels following angioplasty, and the lysis of fibrin clots or lysis or mechanical disruption of thrombi in coronary arteries. In accordance with the present invention, the time to complete re-epithelialization or re-endothelialization is enhanced or accelerated by administering a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) derivative. |