Abstract: A method of treating or preventing post-operative ileus in a mammalian subject is disclosed. The method involves administering to the subject, a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound that is effective in (i) preventing mast cell degranulation, (ii) inhibiting tryptase and chymase, and (iii) antagonizing PAR-2. The treatment is based on the discoveries that proteinase-activated receptor 2 is expressed in colonic muscle cells, and that activation of PAR-2 inhibits colonic motility. The PAR-2 receptor is activated, at least in part, by tryptase and chymase, produced by infiltration and degranulation of mast cells.

Abstract: There is described herein a wound healing enhancing medicinal composition formulated from the salivary protein Lumicarmine. Lumicarmine is a phosphoglycoprotein with a molecular weight of 34.5 kD. About 80% of the total amino acid residues are proline glycine and glutamic acid and another 10% are lysine and arginine. Lumicarmine stains pink violet after gel electrophoresis and staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 dye.

Abstract: A method and composition for inhibition of abnormal postnatal ocular growth are disclosed. The composition comprises vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), PHI or a analogue of these peptides. The method for inhibition of abnormal postnatal ocular growth comprises administering to the eye of an animal effective amount of VIP, PHI or analogue of these peptides.

Abstract: A new marker for colorectal carcinoma has been discovered which is a glycoprotein having a molecular weight of approximately 160,000 daltons. Assay methods which can identify this marker are useful indetecting, diagnosing, and monitoring colorectal carcinoma, and in particular, carcinoma of the undifferentiated variety which heretofor were not readily detectible. For example, an assay which utilizes an antibody reacting to this glycoprotein marker is useful in a screening method for the detection and monitoring of colorectal carcinoma cells. Such an antibody can be included as part of a kit for screening a patient for colorectal carcinoma.