Abstract: A method is provided for inducing a systemic immune response to an antigen selected from inactivated HIV I and HIV II antigens in a mammal. The method comprises orally administering lyophilized multilaminar liposomes containing the antigen. The liposomes have a size of from 20 nm to 20 microns. The antigen-containing liposomes are absorbed in the Peyer's patches of the gut. Sufficient antigen-containing liposomes are taken up by macrophages in the Peyer's patches to induce a systemic immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: A method is provided for inducing a systemic immune response to an antigen selected from inactivated HIV I and HIV II antigens in a mammal. The method comprises orally administering lyophilized multilaminar liposomes containing the antigen. The liposomes have a size of from 20 nm to 20 microns. The antigen-containing liposomes are absorbed in the Peyer's patches of the gut. Sufficient antigen-containing liposomes are taken up by macrophages in the Peyer's patches to induce a systemic immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: A method is provided for inducing a systemic immune response to an antigen selected from hepatitis B and hepatitis C antigens in a mammal. The method comprises orally administering lyophilized multilamellar liposomes containing the antigen. The liposomes have a size of from 20 nm to 20 microns. The antigen-containing liposomes are absorbed in the Peyer's patches of the gut. Sufficient antigen-containing liposomes are taken up by macrophages in the Peyer's patches to induce a systemic immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: A method for treating female sexual dysfunction or for female sexual enhancement comprises administering to the vagina a composition comprising a prostanoid compound having a vasodilating effect in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The amount of prostanoid compound administered ranges from about 0.05 mg to about 3 mg, and preferably from about 0.125 mg to about 1 mg. Preferably the prostanoid compound is prostaglandin E-1 and the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is methylcellulose.

Abstract: A method is provided for inducing a systemic immune response to an antigen in a mammal. The method comprises orally administering lyophilized multilamellar liposomes containing the antigen. The liposomes have a size of from 20 nm to 20 microns. The antigen-containing liposomes are absorbed in the Peyer's patches of the gut. Sufficient antigen-containing liposomes are taken up by macrophages in the Peyer's patches to induce a systemic immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: X-ray contrast media encapsulated within 50 nm to 10 .mu.m microspheres were shown to be a superior contrast agent for CT imaging of liver tumors. Use of the encapsulated agent resulted in significant improvement in the liver to tumor contrast ratio in CT images over prior art contrast media. The encapsulated media contrast also resulted in sustained contrast enhancement 1 hr after administration, providing the opportunity to use a lesser x-ray exposure in a single scan to discriminate cancerous tissue from normal surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A stent or vascular graft for supporting a blood vessel or organ lumen is coated with a biodegradable, resorbable and hemocompatible surface substrate. Biologically active microspheres which controllably release the biologically active agent into the vessel wall or organ to inhibit restenosis of the stent is embedded in the stent substrate. The biologically active microspheres include encapsulated PGE1 in a water soluble polyethylene glycol mix, which over a period of time dissolves and releases the PGE1 into the vessel wall or organ.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of erectile dysfunction comprises instilling intra meatally an aqueous solution containing prostaglandin-containing liposomes and a detergent for lysing the liposomes. A pharmaceutical composition for treating erectile dysfunction comprises a two-component system. The first component comprises a predetermined amount of lyophilized prostaglandin-containing liposomes. The second component comprises a predetermined volume of an aqueous solution containing a detergent, preferably PEG(9) octylphenyl ether, for lysing the liposomes. Dissolution of the lyophilized prostaglandin-containing liposomes yields a liquid composition suitable for application to the penis, preferably intra meatally, to effect erection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inexpensive and easy to use method of visualizing an arterial circulation, using biodegradable microspheres which are permeated with an imaging energy absorbent contrast material, such as an X-ray absorbent material, which enables the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The microspheres may be comprised of a variety of materials, including human albumin, and may be dyed with a number of X-ray absorbent materials, or other imaging energy absorbent materials. The microspheres are injected into the bloodstream at a particular location such that they travel through the desired circulation, e.g. an arterial circulation and ultimately become lodged in the capillaries of a tissue of interest. Upon exposure of the arterial circulation to X-rays, blood vessels therein containing the microspheres will absorb the X-rays, causing them to show on a developed X-ray film in contrast to other blood vessels and body tissue which do not contain the microspheres that transmit the X-rays.

Abstract: In accordance with practice of the process of this invention, a composition is provided which is useful as a dietary supplement. The composition, which comprises bile salts permanently complexed with insoluble cellulose, upon ingestion by a human, facilitates passage of fats through the gastrointestinal tract and out from the body.

Abstract: A kit for preventing or treating arterial dysfunction resulting from an angioplasty procedure and particularly, in myocardial angioplasty procedures in human beings. The kit provides the materials necessary to introduce a selected amount of an intraarterial prostaglandin compound into an artery, such as a coronary artery, in which an angioplasty procedure is to occur and an intravenous prostaglandin compound. The prostaglandin compound will provide cyto-protection and provide antithrombotic effects and antiplatelet effects and antispasmatic effects. A composition is also provided for reducing dysfunction in angioplasty procedures and comprises a selected amount of a carrier and a prostaglandin compound carried in a specified amount and which carrier does not alter the prostaglandin compound and releases the prostaglandin compound at a rate sufficient to dilate blood vessels to thereby produce the required efficacy.

Abstract: A method and a composition for accumulating and the binding of food fats in an animal body gastrointestinal tract. The method and composition rely upon non-biodegradable collagen particles, such as microspheres, having a size of at least two microns and a fat receptor, such as bile, capable of having food fat adhered thereto on the surface of the particles. These particles are sufficiently large so that they do not pass through the surface mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and permit the particles with the food fat to pass through the gastrointestinal tract and out of the body through animal excretion.

Abstract: A method for reducing dysfunction in angioplasty procedures and particularly, in myocardial angioplasty procedures in human beings is desired. The method involves the introduction of a selected amount of intra-arterial prostaglandin compound into an artery, such as a coronary artery, in which an angioplasty procedure is to occur. The prostaglandin compound will provide cyto-protection and provide antithrombotic effects and antiplatelet effects and antispasmatic effects. The prostaglandin compound is administered in a pharmacological amount, that is, an amount substantially greater than the prostaglandin which would be generated by a normal myocardial artery when insulated and thus, constitutes an administration substantially greater than an amount which would be administered in a replacement therapy.

Abstract: A process for making a volumetric determination of the quantity of a fluid, such as a liquid, by evaluation of a small sample of that fluid. The method comprises labeling microspheres with a non-radioactive substance and introducing the labeled microspheres into a body of fluid for which a determination is to be made. The microspheres are allowed to disperse in the body of fluid. Thereafter, a sample of the fluid which is of know or measurable volume, is selected. The number of microspheres present in the sample is then determined, from which a calculation of the volumetric measurement of the fluid may be made. The process is also adaptable to measuring the flow rate of a moving stream of fluid, since volume is one of the parameters of flow rate, and is also adaptable to determine the percentages of fluid components present in a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A safe and inexpensive method of measuring blood flow in experimental animals using non-radioactively labeled microspheres is provided. The microspheres may be comprised of a variety of materials, including latex and agarose, and may be labeled with colored dyes or by linkage to enzymes, plant enzymes being preferred because they do not occur naturally in an animal's system. After injection and circulation of the microspheres throughout the animal's system, blood flow to particular tissue may be measured by counting the number of microspheres in the tissue sample, the initial number of microspheres in the animal's blood stream having been measured shortly after injection. In the case of microspheres labeled with colored dyes, the spheres may be counted in tissue either after separation from the tissue or while still trapped in the tissue's capillaries. Techniques for separating the microspheres from blood and tissue are also provided.