Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide-like compounds, e.g. aminocarboxylic acid amide derivatives, and to methods of using same in the field of general health care, for example, to improve resistance to stress, improve production of desired characteristics or useful products in animals, to increase weight gain, prevent diseases caused by pathogens, and to decrease feed efficiency. The invention has applications in the field of animal husbandry, and in treating or preventing weight loss associated with a disease in humans. It also relates to administering carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl taurine to improve feed efficiency in an animal, comprising administering to the animal an amount of carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl taurine sufficient to reduce the amount of food required to increase a unit of weight in the animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide-like compounds, eg aminocarboxylic acid amide derivatives, and to methods of using same to stimulate cells of the immune system, bone marrow and other organs. The present compounds can be used to enhance vaccination, increase synthesis of and enhance function of blood cell components and enhance anti-neoplastic effects of various agents. The compounds of the invention can be used to produce a variety of further pharmacologic effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using peptide-like compounds, e.g., aminocarboxylic acid amide derivatives, to bias the immune system toward producing, enhancing, or maintaining a polarized Th1 response, and to methods for treating diseases that improve by creating a Th1 response. The invention also relates to a method of treating diseases associated with elevated soluble TNF alpha levels by administering beta-alethine together with NAC to reduce soluble TNF alpha, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising same. The present compounds can be used to modulate cytokines including IFN-gamma and IL-10.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel disulfides and thiols that are of up to about eighteen amino acids. One example, is a compound of the formula (1): A—B—C—S—S—D—E—F, wherein: A and F are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an amino acid, a dipeptide, a tripeptide, a modified polypeptide up to three amino acids long, and a carbobenzoxy groups, B and E are selected from the group consisting of an amino acid, a dipeptide, a tripeptide, and a modified polypeptide comprising up to and including three amino acids, C and D are selected from the group consisting of a modified polypeptide and a polypeptide comprising up to and including three amino acids, and S is the sulfur atom in the modified polypeptide and the polypeptide in C and D.

Abstract: Biomodulators, optionally linked to imaging-active moieties, can be administered to a host to enhance images thereof, e.g., NMR-, X-ray- or radio-images, preferably by increasing aberrant tissue signal intensity. Biomodulators can also condition tissue to enhance up-take of otherwise non-specific imaging agents. When linked to drugs, biomodulators can target the same to particular sites in the body.

Abstract: &bgr;-alethine is employed in the differentiation, phenotypic expression, and vitalization of cells, for both in vivo and in vitro applications. Particular applications include the use of &bgr;-alethine in the treatment of immune disorders and diseases, and in the promotion of cell cultures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide-like compounds, eg aminocarboxylic acid amide derivatives, and to methods of using same to stimulate cells of the immune system, bone marrow and other organs. The present compounds can be used to enhance vaccination, increase synthesis of and enhance function of blood cell components and enhance anti-neoplastic effects of various agents. The compounds of the invention can be used to produce a variety of further pharmacologic effects.