Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to nicotinic acid receptor ligands and, in particular, to ligands that have a relative efficacy for activating a G-protein-coupled receptor function (e.g., signaling) that is greater than their relative efficacy for stimulating ?-arrestin function (e.g., recruitment and/or signaling). The invention further relates to the use of such “biased ligands” to decrease triglycerides levels and to potentially increase high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in patients and potentially lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) and/or very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels. In addition, the invention relates to methods of identifying such “biased ligands”.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and kits for determining the level of S-nitrosothiols in biological fluid samples. The method includes separating tissue or cellular matter from the biological fluid sample and then contacting the biological fluid sample with paraformaldehyde in an amount sufficient to fix free thiols thereby essentially eliminating diaphorase activity of the free thiols. The biological fluid sample is then contacted with NADPH and nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) wherein S-nitrosothiols in the biological fluid sample facilitate the reduction of NBT to NBT formazan or diformazan in the presence of paraformaldehyde. The amount of reduced NBT is measured and the determined levels correlate to the amount of S-nitrosothiols in the biological fluid sample.

Abstract: Desensitization of receptors that control disease is prevented by inhibiting G-protein receptor kinases. This has applicability, e.g., for patients with heart failure or on a left ventricular heart device or a heart pump after surgery or about to undergo surgery and at high risk for a cardiac event or on an opiate or addicted to opiate or with cystic fibrosis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Desensitization of receptors that control disease is prevented by inhibiting G-protein receptor kinases. This has applicability, e.g., for patients with heart failure or on a left ventricular heart device or a heart pump after surgery or about to undergo surgery and at high risk for a cardiac event or on an opiate or addicted to opiate or with cystic fibrosis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Desensitization of receptors that control disease is prevented by inhibiting G-protein receptor kinases. This has applicability, e.g., for patients with heart failure or on a left ventricular heart device or a heart pump after surgery or about to undergo surgery and at high risk for a cardiac event or on an opiate or addicted to opiate or with cystic fibrosis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Desensitization of receptors that control disease is prevented by inhibiting G-protein receptor kinases. This has applicability, e.g., for patients with heart failure or on a left ventricular heart device or a heart pump after surgery or about to undergo surgery and at high risk for a cardiac event of on an opiate or addicted to opiate or with cystic fibrosis or rheumatoid arthritis.