Abstract: The present invention encompasses assays to identify compounds that inhibit the enzymatic activity of MIF which catalyzes the tautomerization of MIF-substrates, such as D-dopachrome to DHICA. In general, the assay is conducted in vitro by adding, mixing or combining MIF and a suitable substrate in the presence or absence of a test compound, and measuring the tautomerization of the substrate. The test compounds that inhibit tautomerization in the assay are identified as MIF inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting and reversing nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, compositions are disclosed which comprise an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins, and which additionally reverse pre-formed crosslinks in the advanced glycosylation endproducts by cleaving alpha-dicarbonyl-based protein crosslinks present in the advanced glycosylation endproducts. Certain useful agents are thiazolium salts. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated. A novel immunoassay for detection of the reversal of the nonenzymatic crosslinking is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds and compositions including pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and associated methods that uncouple sugar-mediated coupling of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomaterials, and any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the compositions and associated methods have utility in vivo to reduce the deleterious effects of sugar-mediated coupling processes in an organism, when the organism is exposed to the compound or composition internally, by ingestion, transdermal application, or other means. In yet another embodiment, the compositions and associated methods are useful for the ex-vivo treatment of organs, cells and tissues and external treatment of hair, nails and skin to rejuvenate them by changing deformability and increase the tissue diffusion coefficient. In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting and reversing nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, compositions are disclosed which comprise an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins, and which additionally reverse pre-formed crosslinks in the advanced glycosylation endproducts by cleaving alpha-dicarbonyl-based protein crosslinks present in the advanced glycosylation endproducts. Certain useful agents are thiazolium salts. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated. A novel immunoassay for detection of the reversal of the nonenzymatic crosslinking is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds and compositions including pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and associated methods that uncouple sugar-mediated coupling of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomaterials, and any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the compositions and associated methods have utility in vivo to reduce the deleterious effects of sugar-mediated coupling processes in an organism, when the organism is exposed to the compound or composition internally, by ingestion, transdermal application, or other means. In yet another embodiment, the compositions and associated methods are useful for the ex-vivo treatment of organs, cells and tissues and external treatment of hair, nails and skin to rejuvenate them by changing deformability and increase the tissue diffusion coefficient. In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting and reversing nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, compositions are disclosed which comprise an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins, and which additionally reverse pre-formed crosslinks in the advanced glycosylation endproducts by cleaving alpha-dicarbonyl-based protein crosslinks present in the advanced glycosylation endproducts. Certain useful agents are thiazolium salts. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated. A novel immunoassay for detection of the reversal of the nonenzymatic crosslinking is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to substituted naphthothiazolium, aromatic guanylhydrazones, and other compounds and compositions with anti-malarial activity useful for the treatment and prophylaxis of malaria. The compounds are provided for the treatment of malaria or the sequelae of malarial infection, for depolymerizing malaria pigment (hemozoin), and for ameliorating the adverse effects of hemozoin on host cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to substituted naphthothiazolium, aromatic guanylhydrazones, and other compounds and compositions with anti-malarial activity useful for the treatment and prophylaxis of malaria. The compounds are provided for the treatment of malaria or the sequelae of malarial infection, for depolymerizing malaria pigment (hemozoin), and for ameliorating the adverse effects of hemozoin on host cells.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses assays to identify compounds that inhibit the enzymatic activity of MIF which catalyzes the tautomerization of MIF-substrates, such as D-dopachrome to DHICA. In general, the assay is conducted in vitro by adding, mixing or combining MIF and a suitable substrate in the presence or absence of a test compound, and measuring the tautomerization of the substrate. The test compounds that inhibit tautomerization in the assay are identified as MIF inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting and reversing nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, compositions are disclosed which comprise an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins, and which additionally reverse pre-formed crosslinks in the advanced glycosylation endproducts by cleaving alpha-dicarbonyl-based protein crosslinks present in the advanced glycosylation endproducts. Certain agents useful are thiazolium salts. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated. A novel immunoassay for detection of the reversal of the nonenzymatic crosslinking is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds and compositions including pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and associated methods that uncouple sugar-mediated coupling of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomaterials, and any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the compositions and associated methods have utility in vivo to reduce the deleterious effects of sugar-mediated coupling processes in an organism, when the organism is exposed to the compound or composition internally, by ingestion, transdermal application, or other means. In yet another embodiment, the compositions and associated methods are useful for the ex-vivo treatment of organs, cells and tissues and external treatment of hair, nails and skin to rejuvenate them by changing deformability and increase the tissue diffusion coefficient. In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting and reversing nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, compositions are disclosed which comprise an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins, and which additionally reverse pre-formed crosslinks in the advanced glycosylation endproducts by cleaving alpha-dicarbonyl-based protein crosslinks present in the advanced glycosylation endproducts. Certain agents useful are thiazolium salts. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated. A immunoassay for detection of the reversal of the nonenzymatic crosslinking is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting protein aging. Accordingly, methods are disclosed for treating an animal to inhibit the formation of advanced glycosylation end products of target proteins with the animal by adminstering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent capable of reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product, whereby the subsequent cross-linking of the early glycosylation product is inhibited. Agents of the present invention comprise aminoguanidine, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses assays to identify compounds that inhibit the enzymatic activity of MIF which catalyzes the tautomerization of MIF-substrates, such as D-dopachrome to DHICA. In general, the assay is conducted in vitro by adding, mixing or combining MIF and a suitable substrate in the presence or absence of a test compound, and measuring the tautomerization of the substrate. The test compounds that inhibit tautomerization in the assay are identified as MIF inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the non-enzymatic glycosylation of amyloidogenic proteins and the consequent formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs). It has been found that formation of AGE-amyloidogenic proteins can enhance amyloidosis. The invention further relates to compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of amyloidosis associated with amyloid diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disease and Type II diabetes, and more particularly Alzheimer's disease. In a specific example, aggregation of an amyloidogenic peptide, &bgr;AP, is enhanced by the glycosylation reaction of &bgr;AP to form AGE-&bgr;AP as defined herein. Accordingly, the invention extends to a method for modulating the in vivo aggregation of amyloid polypeptides and associated amyloidosis by controlling the formation and presence of AGE-amyloid polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting protein aging. Accordingly, methods are disclosed for treating an animal to inhibit the formation of advanced glycosylation end products of target proteins with the animal by adminstering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent capable of reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product, whereby the subsequent cross-linking of the early glycosylation product is inhibited. Agents of the present invention comprise aminoguanidine, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting the aging of amino-containing amino acid, peptides, proteins and biomolecules. Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent or compound capable of reacting with the glycosyl-amino moiety of the early glycosylation product (also known as the Amadori product or the Heyns product) formed by the reaction of glucose, or other reactive sugars, with an amino-containing peptide, protein or biomolecule, thus stabilizing this early glycosylation product, and preventing its further reaction to form open-chain, carbonyl-containing advanced glycosylation end products. Suitable agents may contain a reactive aldehyde group. A preferred agent is acetaldehyde. The method comprises contacting the target biomolecule with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting and reversing nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, compositions are disclosed which comprise an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins, and which additionally reverse pre-formed crosslinks in the advanced glycosylation endproducts by cleaving alpha-dicarbonyl-based protein crosslinks present in the advanced glycosylation endproducts. Certain agents useful are thiazolium salts. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated. A novel immunoassay for detection of the reversal of the nonenzymatic crosslinking is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for treating amyloidogenic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and the development of type II diabetes, in which deposition of amyloid in organs such as the brain and pancreas interfere with neurological function and insulin release, respectively. The methods and compositions are directed toward increasing the activity of scavenger cells within the body at recognizing and removing amyloid deposits from affected tissues and organs. Scavenger cells may be targeted to amyloid deposits by means of spontaneously-occurring chemical modifications called advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs). Compositions are described which increase scavenger cell activity towards AGE-modified amyloid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting and reversing nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises a thiazolium compound capable of inhibiting, and to some extent reversing, the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated. A novel immunoassay for detection of the reversal of the nonenzymatic crosslinking is also disclosed.