Abstract: Small, anti-inflammatory compounds that are peptide analogs are described useful to inhibit inflammation of a mammal's skin, mucous membranes, or lacerations of the musculature or injury to the brain or leakage of fluids into the air spaces of the lungs. Peptide analogs of the invention have the primary sequence T.sub.N -A.sub.1 -A.sub.2 -A.sub.3 -A.sub.4 -A.sub.5 -A.sub.6 -T.sub.C where one of the moieties is in the D-configuration. A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each a basic polar amino acids while each of A.sub.3, A.sub.4, and A.sub.6 is a hydrophobic amino acid. A.sub.5 can be a variety of structures and appears to function to optimize the spatial relationship between the hydrophobic and the basic residues. T.sub.N is selected or modified to convey resistance against enzymatic degradation. T.sub.C is an amino group or an amidated amino acid, preferably hydrophobic.

Abstract: Neutrophil activating peptide-2 or analog thereof is administered to a mammal to achieve therapeutic reduction of the number of circulating platelets. The peptide is useful in treating essential thrombocythemia and reactive thrombocytosis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of non-Ige-mediated inflammatory response or disease conditions are described.

Abstract: A readily absorbable type of motilin preparation containing a motilin-like active substance and a surface active agent is provided, in which the motilin-like active substance is mainly L-leucine-13-motilin-homoserine, and the surface active agent is selected from the group consisting of a bile salt, saponin and a polyethylene glycol higher-alcohol ether for nasal administration purposes and is a peptide lytic enzyme inhibitor for oral administration purposes.

Abstract: There is disclosed an immunostimulatory agent comprising a peptide derived from lactoferrin having activity to modulate the release of inflammatory mediators from cells of the immune system. The peptide promotes the release of leukotriene B4 from polymorphonuclear neutrophils induced by activators such as the calcium ionophor A23187, It also promotes the release of histamine from mast cells induced by activators such as .alpha.-toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus cells or the calcium ionophor A23187. The peptide is effective at low concentrations within the range of 1 to 100 ppm. By promoting the release of such inflammatory mediators the peptide can potentiate the cellular immune response and stimulate the host defense against infectious disease. This newly discovered immunostimulatory agent is useful as an active component of pharmaceuticals, hygiene products, clinical foods, etc., for prevention and treatment of bacterial, fungal, and viral infectious in humans and animals.

Abstract: A method of selectively inhibiting biochemical activity of cells induced by neuromedin B. The method includes the step of contacting cells which contain neuromedin B receptor with a cyclic octapeptide, D-Nal-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Nal-NH.sub.2, or an analog thereof.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of diabetes mellitus or non-insulin-dependent diabetes comprising at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of Tyr-Gln-Leu-Glu-Asn-Tar-Cys-Asn, Acetyl-Leu-Glu-Asn-Tar-Cys-Asn OH, Asn-Tar-Cys-Asn, or a peptide of the formulaX-Q-Cys-D (II)or the stereoisomeric forms of the peptide of formula II, or the physiologically tolerated salts of the peptide of the formula II.

Abstract: A lipoprotein possessing pulmonary surfactant activity comprising an alveolar polypeptide or protein and, covalently bound thereto, one or two fatty acid residue(s);a pharmaceutical composition comprising such lipoprotein and a phospholipid type of material; anda method of facilitating respiration in mammals including man, comprising administering an effective amount of such a lipoprotein or pharmaceutical composition to the respiratory tract of a patient subject to respiratory disorder so as to reduce surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the patient's alveoli.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide sequence having the formula ##STR1## in which A.sub.1 is a hydrogen or at least one and no more than two amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine and arginine,A.sub.2 is a tyrosine, phenylalanine or tryptophan residue,A.sub.3 is an arginine or lysine residue,A.sub.4 is at least one and no more than two amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine and arginine, andA.sub.5 is an --OH or an NH.sub.2, is described.The polypeptide may be used in a pharmaceutical composition as an antimicrobial or antiviral agent, specifically as an anti-HIV agent.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing penile erections, sufficient for vaginal penetration, in a human male suffering from impotence are provided. Kits containing the compositions in containers for single dosage administration are provided.Compositions for treating impotence that is of psychogenic or neurogenic origin contain a neuropeptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide and/or peptide N-terminal histidine C-terminal methioneamide and are formulated in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that has a pH of about 2 to about 4.5, preferably between about 2 and about 3.5, and most preferably about 3. Compositions for treating impotence of almost origin, including severe atherosclerosis, contain a neuropeptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide and/or peptide N-terminal histidine C-terminal methioneamide, and an .alpha.-adrenergic blocker, such as phentolamine or prazosin.In practicing the methods, the composition is administered by intracavernosal injection accompanied by or followed by sexual stimulation.

Abstract: A peptide having the formula:A--B--Cwherein A is a hydrogen atom, Glu, Phe Glu--, Phe Phe Glu-- or an amino acid sequence as shown by SEQ ID NO:1 in the Sequence Listing, B is an amino acid sequence as shown by SEQ ID NO:2, and C is a hydroxyl group, Glu, --Glu Ile, --Glu Ile Ile or an amino acid sequence as shown by SEQ ID NO:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, and containing from 6 to 25 amino acids; or its salt.

Abstract: Compositions useful for the percutaneous administration of leuprolide comprise from about 1 to about 100 mg/ml of leuprolide in its free base form, a cutaneous membrane penetration enhancing component, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The cutaneous membrane transport enhancing component comprises from about 1 percent to about 15 percent urea, from 1 percent to about 5 percent menthol, from about 0.5 percent to about 5 percent methyl salicylate, and from about 0.5 percent to about 5 percent camphor, all percentages expressed in weight/volume based upon the total volume of the composition.

Abstract: A synthetic HIV-1-based polypeptide as well as methods for topically inhibiting HIV-1 infectivity or replication. The polypeptide of the present invention has an amino acid sequence substantially corresponding to a specified region of the HIV-1.sub.IIIB virus. The polypeptide of the present invention may be administered in effective amounts for topically inhibiting HIV-1 infectivity or replication. The polypeptide is useful for inhibiting the replication of the HIV-1 virus as well as HIV-1-mediated cytopathogenesis and cell fusion at levels which are within acceptable ranges of cytotoxicity.

Abstract: Peptides are described and methods of using the peptides to treat or prevent disease which peptides are described by the formula:SEQ. ID NO:1wherein X is an aromatic amino acid, and n is 1, 2, or 3; X' is either a non-polar or polar uncharged amino acid, and n' is 1, 2, or 3; X" is a basic amino acid, and n" is 1 or 2.

Abstract: A method to obtain selected individual peptides or families thereof which have a target property and optionally to determine the amino acid sequence of a selected peptide or peptides to permit synthesis in practical quantities is disclosed. In general outline, the method of the invention comprises synthesizing a mixture of randomly or deliberately generated peptides using standard synthesis techniques, but adjusting the individual concentrations of the components of a mixture of sequentially added amino acids according to the coupling constants for each amino acid/amino acid coupling. The subgroup of peptides having the target property can then be selected, and either each peptide isolated and sequenced, or analysis performed on the mixture to permit its composition to be reproduced. Also included in the invention is an efficient method to determine the relevant coupling constants.

Abstract: A method of treating an inflammatory disease in a mammal, e.g., a human, by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediator release from basophils or mast cells in the human, by administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of purified or recombinant platelet factor 4 (PF4), a PF4 analog, or a peptide fragment of PF4 or the analog.

Abstract: A peptide derivative containing 1 to 20 units of peptide unit represented by the following general formula [I] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;[Z]--Arg--X--Asp--[Y] [I]wherein Arg represents L- or D-arginine residue, Asp represents L-aspartic acid residue, X represents L- or D-leucine, D-isoleucine, L- or D-norleucine, L- or D-phenylalanine, D-phenylglycine or D-alanine residue, and [Z] and [Y] each represents an amino acid or a peptide residue, which may be present or absent, selected from glycine, L-serine, L-threonine, L- and D-aspartic acid, L-alanine, L- and D-glutamic acid, L-proline residues and a peptide residue constituted by the foregoing amino acid residues, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide derivative. The composition of the present invention is useful as an agent for inhibiting tumor metastasis.

Abstract: A treatment to alleviate the debilitating symptoms of Motility Disorders, including Autonomic Neuropathies associated with autoimmune disease such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE). Treatment of patients with analogs of GnRH significantly reduces or eliminates the symptoms of Motility Disorders, including that associated with SLE.

Abstract: Mixture containing .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester and 3-benzyl-6-carboxymethyl-2,5-dioxopiperazine are brought into contact with hydrochloric acid in an aqueous solvent to precipitate .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride and 3-benzyl-6-carboxymethyl-2,5-dioxopiperazine, which are then separated from each other by classification.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical preparations for inhibiting in-vitro and in-vivo cancerous prostate, gastrointestinal and breast tumors. In one embodiment the pharmaceutical preparation includes human seminal prostatic inhibin which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from prostate cancer. In another embodiment the pharmaceutical preparation includes a mixture of human seminal prostatic inhibin and a anticancer drug which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from, for example gastrointestinal cancer. The anticancer drug of the latter mixture may be one selected from the group of drugs including mitomycin, idalubicin, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, adriamycin and daunomycin.