Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient, comprising the step of administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer network composition comprising a cationic polymer. In one embodiment, the polymer network is an interpenetrating polymer network. In another embodiment, the polymer network is a semi-interpenetrating polymer network.

Abstract: An amine polymer includes first and second substituents bound to amines of the polymer. The first substituent includes a hydrophobic moiety. The second substituent includes a quaternary amine-containing moiety. A method for binding bile salts of bile acids in a mammal includes orally administering to the mammal a therapeutically-effective amount of the amine polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient in need thereof and compositions useful in the method. The method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer comprises the reaction product of polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof having amine containing repeat units, with at least one aliphatic alkylating agent and a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poly(allylamine) polymer and, more generally, a hydrocarbon amine polymer. Preferably, these polymers are crosslinked. The present invention also relates to methods of forming these polymers and methods for their use. Further, the present invention relates to alkylating agents that can be employed to form the polymers and to methods for forming the alkylating agents Generally, the polymer sequestrant includes a substituent bound to an amine of the polymer. The substituent includes a quaternary amine-containing moiety having one, two or three terminal hydrophobic substituents. A method of preparing quaternary amine-containing alkylating agents includes reacting an unsymmetrical dihalide with a tertiary amine having at least one hydrophobic substituent. A method for binding bile salts of bile acids in a mammal includes orally administering to the mammal a therapeutically-effective amount of the polymer sequestrant.

Abstract: The present invention includes polymerizable monomers comprising a fucoside moiety. In one embodiment, the monomer has a polymerizable functional group, such as an olefinic bond, to which the fucoside moiety is attached by a spacer group, for example, an alkylene group, or an alkylene group wherein one or more carbon atoms are substituted by heteroatoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms. The present invention also includes polymers comprising one or more fucoside moieties, such as pendant fucoside moieties, which can inhibit or prevent rotavirus infection in a mammal. Such a polymer can comprise, for example, a monomer of the present invention. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer, and can have, for example, a polyacrylamide, polyacrylate or polystyrene backbone.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient by ion exchange by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more highly crosslinked polymers characterized by a repeat unit having the formula ##STR1## or copolymer thereof, where n is an integer; R.sup.1 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group: M is ##STR2## Z is O, NR.sup.3, S, or (CH.sub.2).sub.m ; m=0-10; R.sup.3 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; and R.sup.2 is ##STR3## where p=0-10, and each R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6, independently, is H, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, or an aryl group.

Abstract: The present invention includes polymerizable monomers comprising an acid-functionalized glycoside moiety. The monomer can have a polymerizable functional group, such as an olefinic bond, to which the acid-functionalized glycoside moiety is attached by a spacer group, for example, an alkylene group, or an alkylene group wherein one or more carbon atoms are substituted by heteroatoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms. The present invention also includes polymers comprising pendant acid-functionalized glycoside moieties. The present invention also provides a method for treating a microbial infection in a mammal by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising one or more acid-functionalized glycoside moieties.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient by ion exchange by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more highly crosslinked polymers characterized by a repeat unit having the formula ##STR1## or copolymer thereof, where n is an integer; R.sup.1 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group: M is ##STR2## Z is O, NR.sup.3, S, or (CH.sub.2).sub.m ; m=0-10; R.sup.3 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; and R.sup.2 is ##STR3## where p=0-10, and each R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6, independently is H, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, or an aryl group.

Abstract: The present invention includes polymerizable monomers comprising an acid-functionalized glycoside moiety. In one embodiment, the monomer has a polymerizable functional group, such as an olefinic bond, to which the acid-functionalized glycoside moiety is attached by a spacer group, for example, an alkylene group, or an alkylene group wherein one or more carbon atoms are substituted by heteroatoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms.The present invention also includes polymers comprising one or more acid-functionalized glycoside moieties, such as pendant acid-functionalized glycoside moieties, which can inhibit or prevent rotavirus infection in a mammal. Such a polymer can comprise, for example, a monomer of the present invention. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer, and can have, for example, a polyacrylamide, polyacrylate or polystyrene backbone.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkylated amine polymers and a method for removing bile salts from a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of product produced by a process comprising alkylating one or more crosslinked amine polymers, salts or copolymers thereof with at least one alkylating agent. The reaction product is characterized in that: (i) at least some of the nitrogen atoms are unreacted with alkylating agent; and (ii) less than 10 mol % of the nitrogen atoms in the polymer react with the alkylating agent to form quaternary ammonium units.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of product produced by a process comprising alkylating one or more crosslinked amine polymers, salts or copolymers thereof with at least one alkylating agent. The reaction product is characterized in that: (i) at least some of the nitrogen atoms are unreacted with alkylating agent; and (ii) less than 10 mol% of the nitrogen atoms in the polymer react with the alkylating agent to form quaternary ammonium units.

Abstract: Phosphate-binding polymers are provided for removing phosphate from the gastrointestinal tract. The polymers are orally administered, and are useful for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient by ion exchange by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more highly crosslinked polymers characterized by a repeat unit having the formula ##STR1## or copolymer thereof, where n is an integer; R.sup.1 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; M is ##STR2## or --Z--R.sup.2 ; Z is O, NR.sup.3, S, or (CH.sub.2).sub.m ; m=0-10; R.sup.3 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; and R.sup.2 is ##STR3## where p=0-10, and each R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6, independently, is H, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, or an aryl group, the polymers being non-toxic and stable once ingested.

Abstract: An amine polymer includes a substituent bound to an amine of the polymer. The substituent includes a quaternary amine-containing moiety having at least one hydrophobic moiety. A method for binding bile salts of bile acids in a mammal includes orally administering to the mammal a therapeutically-effective amount of the amine polymer.

Abstract: An amine polymer includes first and second substituents bound to amines of the polymer. The first substituent includes a hydrophobic moiety. The second substituent includes a quaternary amine-containing moiety. A method for binding bile salts of bile acids in a mammal includes orally administering to the mammal a therapeutically-effective amount of the amine polymer.

Abstract: Phosphate-binding polymers are provided for removing phosphate from the gastrointestinal tract. The polymers are orally administered, and are useful for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia.