| abstract |
The present invention pertains to cytoprotective compositions for preventing and reducing injury to mammalian cells from a medicament having cytotoxic properties. In one embodiment, the cytoprotective composition comprises (a) pyruvate selected from the group consisting of pyruvic acid, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of pyruvic acid, and mixtures thereof, and (b) an antioxidant. In a second embodiment, the cytoprotective composition comprises pyruvate selected from the group consisting of pyruvic acid, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of pyruvic acid, and mixtures thereof, (b) an antioxidant, and (c) a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids wherein the fatty acids are those fatty acids required for the repair of cellular membranes and resuscitation of mammalian cells. The cytoprotective compositions may be incorporated into a wide variety of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to prepare pharmaceutical products. This invention also relates to methods for preparing and using the cytoprotective compositions and the pharmaceutical products in which the cytoprotective compositions may be used. |