Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for treating a pulmonary disease state in mammals by altering indigenous in vivo levels of nitric oxide in mammalian cells. The method comprises contacting the mammalian cells with a therapeutically effective amount of a nitric oxide mediator selected from the group consisting of pyruvates, pyruvate precursors, &agr;-keto acids having four or more carbon atoms, precursors of &agr;-keto acids having four or more carbon atoms, and the salts thereof. The method further comprises contacting the mammalian cells with a therapeutic agent and a nitric oxide source selected from the group consisting of nitric oxide, nitric oxide precursors, and nitric oxide stimulators. In another embodiment, the method comprises treating a pulmonary disease state in mammals by protecting indigenous in vivo levels of nitric oxide in mammalian cells during ozone inhalation by contacting the mammalian cells with a therapeutically effective amount of a nitric oxide mediator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating bronchial constriction in mammals. The method comprises contacting mammalian lung with a compound selected from the group consisting of alpha-keto acids having four or more carbon atoms and precursors of alpha-keto acids having four or more carbon atoms. The compound is present in a therapeutically effective amount to produce bronchial dilation. The present invention is also directed to a method for treating bronchial constriction in mammals. The method comprises contacting mammalian lung with a compound selected from the group consisting of alpha-keto acids having four or more carbon atoms and precursors of an alpha-keto acids having four or more carbon atoms. The compound is present in an amount from about 0.0001 millimoles to about 0.01 millimoles. The present invention is further directed to a method for treating bronchial spasm in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for treating a pulmonary disease state in mammals by altering indigenous in vivo levels of nitric oxide in mammalian cells. The method comprises contacting the mammalian cells with a therapeutically effective amount of a nitric oxide mediator selected from the group consisting of pyruvates, pyruvate precursors, &agr;-keto acids having four or more carbon atoms, precursors of &agr;-keto acids having four or more carbon atoms, and the salts thereof. The method may further comprise contacting the mammalian cells with a therapeutic agent and a nitric oxide source selected from the group consisting of nitric oxide, nitric oxide precursors, and nitric oxide stimulators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating bronchial constriction in mammals. The method comprises contacting mammalian lung with a compound selected from the group consisting of pyruvate and pyruvate precursors. The compound is present in a therapeutically effective amount to produce bronchial dilation. The present invention is also directed to a method for treating airway disease in mammals. The method comprises contacting mammalian lung with a compound selected from the group consisting of pyruvate and pyruvate precursors. The compound is present in an amount from about 0.0001 millimoles to about 0.005 millimoles. The present invention is further directed to a method for treating airway disease in mammals. The method comprises contacting the mammalian lung with a compound selected from the group consisting of pyruvate and pyruvate precursors. The compound is present in a therapeutically effective amount to prevent bronchial spasm.