Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions and uses thereof as antioxidants and/or neuroprotective agents for the treatment of medical conditions associated with oxidative stress and/or neural damage, such as, for example, neurological diseases, disorders and trauma, and hence in the treatment of CNS-associated diseases, disorders and trauma.

Abstract: The current invention comprises compositions and methods for protecting a neuronal cell of a subject from a toxic insult. The method includes delivering an effective amount of a neuroprotective compound to the neuronal cells before or after the toxic insult. The neuroprotective compounds contain a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (“PPAR-&ggr;”) binding moiety with either a phenolic ring moiety or a prostaglandin (“PG”) with a reactive &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carbonyl group on the cyclopentenone ring. Other novel compounds are also disclosed. The toxic insult that impinges upon the neuronal cell may be an acute process, or chronic disease process. Oxidative stress (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, and glutamate), injury, and secondary physiological responses to injury are among the acute processes discussed. Clinical disease processes that comprise oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and Parkinson's disease are also addressed.

Abstract: The present invention in various embodiments provides methods of treating stroke and conferring protection on a population of cells associated with ischemia in a subject following an ischemic event, comprising: (a) providing an estrogen compound; and (b) administering the effective amount of the compound over a course that includes at least one dose within a time that is effectively proximate to the ischemic event, so as to confer protection on the population of cells. Novel methods are provided for the delivery of an estrogen compound. Examples of ischemic events treatable according to the invention are cerebrovascular disease or stroke, subarachnoid subhemorrhage, myocardial infarct, surgery and trauma. A method of treating ischemic damage utilizing hormones that are non-sex hormones is also provided. A method of treating stroke with ent-17&bgr;-estradiol, and a method of synthesis, and compounds produced from the synthesis are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of conferring protection on a population of cells in a subject following an acute degenerative event, comprising: administering an effective amount of the compound in an oil formulation over a course that includes at least one dose within a time that is effectively proximate to the ischemic event, so as to confer protection on the population of cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of conferring protection on a population of cells associated with ischemia in a subject following an ischemic event, comprising: (a) providing a sulfated form of an estrogen compound intravenously; and (b) administering the effective amount of the compound over a course that includes at least one dose within a time that is effectively proximate to the ischemic event, so as to confer protection on the population of cells. Examples of ischemic events treatable according to the invention are cerebrovascular disease or stroke, subarachnoid subhemorrhage, myocardial infarct, surgery and trauma.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for achieving a cytoprotective effect by selecting a polycyclic compound with a phenol group at one end of the molecule and a carbon ring at the other such that an alkyl ether functional group in which the alkyl group has a formula CnH2n+1 (where n is at least 3 and less than 20) is positioned on the carbon ring. The compound may be used to achieve a cytoprotective effect in cells and to retard the development of a degenerative condition in a subject suffering from a disease, trauma or aging.

Abstract: The present invention in various embodiments provides methods of treating stroke and conferring protection on a population of cells associated with ischemia in a subject following an ischemic event, comprising: (a) providing an estrogen compound; and (b) administering the effective amount of the compound over a course that includes at least one dose within a time that is effectively proximate to the ischemic event, so as to confer protection on the population of cells. Novel methods are provided for the delivery of an estrogen compound. Examples of ischemic events treatable according to the invention are cerebrovascular disease or stroke, subarachnoid subhemorrhage, myocardial infarct, surgery and trauma. A method of treating ischemic damage utilizing hormones that are non-sex hormones is also provided. A method of treating stroke with ent-17&bgr;-estradiol, and a method of synthesis, and compounds produced from the synthesis are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of conferring protection on a population of cells associated with ischemia in a subject following an ischemic event, comprising: (a) providing an estrogen compound; and (b) administering the effective amount of the compound over a course that includes at least one dose within a time that is effectively proximate to the ischemic event, so as to confer protection on the population of cells. Novel methods are provided for the delivery of an estrogen compound. Examples of ischemic events treatable according to the invention are cerebrovascular disease or stroke, subarachnoid subhemorrhage, myocardial infarct, surgery and trauma. A method of treating ischemic damage utilizing non-sex hormones is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of conferring protection on a population of cells associated with ischemia in a subject following an ischemic event, comprising: (a) providing an estrogen compound; and (b) administering the effective amount of the compound over a course that includes at least one dose within a time that is effectively proximate to the ischemic event, so as to confer protection on the population of cells. Novel methods are provided for the intravenous administration of an estrogen compound. Examples of ischemic events treatable according to the invention are cerebrovascular disease or stroke, subarachnoid subhemorrhage, myocardial infarct, surgery and trauma. A method of treating ischemic damage utilizing non-sex hormones is also provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods for conferring a cytoprotective effect on a population of cells, such as providing a polycyclic phenolic compound in a physiologically acceptable formulation, and administering the formulation in an effective dose to the population of cells.

Abstract: A method is provided for preserving tissues during removal, storage and implantation into a subject by enhancing cell viability in a population of graft cells during the transplantation procedure. The method includes selecting an effective dose of a polycylic phenolic compound in a physiologically acceptable formulation and exposing at least the population of graft cells to the formulation containing the compound within a time that is effectively proximate to the transplantation procedure so as to confer cytoprotection on the population of graft cells.

Abstract: A method is provided for conferring neuroprotection on a population of cells in a subject, the method including providing a polycyclic compound having a terminal phenolic group in a structure containing at least a second ring, the compound having a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons, the compound not including estrogen compounds including estrogen agonists. The compound may be administered in an effective dose to the population of cells so as to confer neuroprotection. Methods are further provided for treating a neurodegenerative disease in a subject that include providing an effective dose of a formulation containing the compound and administering the dose to the subject.

Abstract: Androgens and their derivates and analogs, such as anabolic agents, are characterized by at least one substituent or substituent grouping with radical trapping properties.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for enhancing the cytoprotective effects of polycyclic phenolic compounds through the synergistic interaction with anti-oxidants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of conferring protection on a population of cells associated with an ischemic focus, in subject, comprising:(a) providing an estrogen compound having insubstantial sex-related activity; and(b) administering an effective cumulative amount of the compound over a course that includes at least one dose within a time that is effectively proximate to the ischemic event, so as to confer protection on the population of cells. Also directed is a method of treating a myocardial infarct in a subject and an ischemic event with the above combination.

Abstract: This application relates to the use of non-estrogen compounds having a terminal phenol group in a four-ring cyclopentanophenanthrene compound structure for conferring neuroprotection to cells and for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A method is provided for conferring a cytoprotective effect on a population of cells in a male of female subject which includes providing an estrogen compound having insubstantial sex related activity in a pharmaceutical formulation and administering the formulation in an effective dose to a population of cells to confer cytoprotection. The method further includes administering the estrogen compound so as to confer a cytoprotective effect in a subject so as to retard adverse effects of osteoporosis in a male or female subject.

Abstract: A method is provided for preserving tissues during removal storage and implantation by enhancing cell viability in a population of graft cells during the transplantation procedure The method includes selecting an effective dose of a cyclopentanophenanthrene compound having a terminal phenol A ring in a physiologically acceptable formulation and exposing at least one of: a donor at an effective dose prior to removal of the cells; the population of cells in an ex vivo storage medium;, and a recipient tissue at an effective time prior to association with the donor graft cells; so as to confer cytoprotection on the population of graft cells.

Abstract: A method is provided for conferring neuroprotection on a population of cells using estrogen compounds that have insubstantial sex activity and furthermore, a method is provided that utilizes estrogen compounds in the absence of testosterone for treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease so as to retard the adverse effects of these disorders, Examples of estrogen compounds that have insubstantial sex activity includes alpha isomers of estrogen compounds such as 17.alpha. estradiol.

Abstract: A method and diagnostic kit is provided for diagnosing responsiveness to a hormone in a human subject that includes determining the amount of glucose utilized by a sample taken from the subject in the presence of the hormone. The sample taken from the subject may include body fluid or body tissue such as blood or skin. The glucose utilized in the test may be labelled for example, with a radioactive label. The diagnostic test may be used to determine responsiveness to estrogen in a human subject prior to treatment with hormone replacement therapy.