Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for providing a cardioprotective effect in a subject. Specifically, the invention relates to compositions and methods for treating cardiovascular ailments, such as compositions and methods for attenuating or ameliorating the development of cardiac contractile dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis or maladaptive remodeling in a subject having or having had a myocardial infarction (MI) or at risk of having a myocardial infarction by administering a retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR?) agonist.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that renin is present in mast cells and can act in a localized manner to initiate and/or exacerbate a number of conditions. Thus, the invention provides methods for treating cardiac, vascular, lung, liver, cervical, intestinal, muscle, pancreatic, brain, kidney, skin and other conditions that involve inhibiting the synthesis and/or release of renin from mast cells and/or inhibiting the activity of renin after release from mast cells. The methods of the invention can also involve inhibiting elements of the local renin-angiotensin system (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that renin is present in mast cells and can act in a localized manner to initiate and/or exacerbate a number of conditions. Thus, the invention provides methods for treating cardiac, vascular, lung, liver, cervical, intestinal, muscle, pancreatic, brain, kidney, skin and other conditions that involve inhibiting the synthesis and/or release of renin from mast cells and/or inhibiting the activity of renin after release from mast cells. The methods of the invention can also involve inhibiting elements of the local renin-angiotensin system (e.g. inhibiting ACE and angiotensin II receptors), thereby inhibiting angiotensin II produced locally from mast-cell-derived renin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that renin is present in mast cells and can act in a localized manner to initiate and/or exacerbate a number of conditions. Thus, the invention provides methods for treating cardiac, vascular, lung, liver, cervical, intestinal, muscle, pancreatic, brain, kidney, skin and other conditions that involve inhibiting the synthesis and/or release of renin from mast cells and/or inhibiting the activity of renin after release from mast cells. The methods of the invention can also involve inhibiting elements of the local renin-angiotensin system (e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing cardiac dysfunctions in a human. The method comprises administration to the human of an effective amount of a selective histamine H3 Receptor agonist. In one embodiment, the method comprises limiting the accumulation of intracellular sodium (Nai) by inhibiting the Na+/H+ exchanger activity in the human having a cardiac dysfunction, or a predisposition to a cardiac dysfunction. In another embodiment the method comprises inhibiting the N-type Ca2+ channel to modulate the concentration of intracellular calcium. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition that includes a selective histamine H3 Receptor agonist with a pharmaceutical carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a human suffering from myocardial ischemia, cardiac arrhythmia, or both. The method comprises administering locally to a heart of a human an effective amount of an enzyme inhibitor that inhibits formation of angiotensin II in the heart. The invention also provides an isolated human renin of about 32-36 kDa.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing cardiac dysfunctions in a human. The method comprises administration to the human of an effective amount of a selective histamine H3 Receptor agonist. In one embodiment, the method comprises limiting the accumulation of intracellular sodium (Nai) by inhibiting the Na+/H+ exchanger activity in the human having a cardiac dysfunction, or a predisposition to a cardiac dysfunction. In another embodiment the method comprises inhibiting the N-type Ca2+ channel to modulate the concentration of intracellular calcium. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition that includes a selective histamine H3 Receptor agonist with a pharmaceutical carrier.

Abstract: A method for prophylaxis or treatment of an animal for systemic hypotension induced by internal nitrogen oxide production. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of certain arginine derivatives to inhibit nitrogen oxide formation from arginine. Preferably N.sup.G -substituted arginine or an N.sup.G,N.sup.G -disubstituted arginine (having at least one hydrogen on a terminal guanidino amino group replaced by another atomic species) is administered to an animal possibly developing or already having such induced systemic hypotension. The arginine derivatives are preferably of the L configuration and include pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts. Prophylaxis or treatment of systemic hypotension in a patient which has been induced by chemotherapeutic treatment with biologic response modifiers such as tumor necrosis factor or interleukin-2 may be accomplished. Treatment of an animal for systemic hypotension induced by endotoxin, i.e.

Abstract: Reducing plasma levels of endogenous arginine by parenteral administration of arginine depleting agent limits nitric oxide formation and results in blood pressure increase. Preferably arginase is administered intravenously to raise blood pressure. The arginine depleting agent can be administered in conjunction with arginine antagonists to potentiate the effect of these. The arginine depleting agent can be used concurrently with .alpha..sub.1 adrenergic agonists in treating systemic hypotension caused by induced production of nitric oxide, to restore vascular contractile sensitivity to the effect of the .alpha..sub.1 adrenergic agonists. Duration of action and avoidance of antigenicity may be obtained by use in conjunction with a carrier or modifier.

Abstract: A method for treatment of an animal for systemic hypotension induced by internal nitric oxide production caused by endotoxin or cytokines. The method involves administering an .alpha..sub.1 adrenergic agonist and an amount of an inhibitor of nitric oxide formation from argiResearch relating to the development of this invention was supported by the United States Public Health Service grants which gives the United States government certain rights to use of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for prophylaxis of treatment of an animal for systemic hypotension induced by internal nitrogen oxide production. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of certain arginine derivatives to inhibit nitrogen oxide formation from arginine. Preferaby N.sup.G -substituted arginine or an N.sup.G,N.sup.G -disubstituted arginine (having at least one hydrogen on a terminal guanidino amino group replaced by another atomic species) is administered to an animal possibly developing or already having induced systemic hypotension. The arginine derivatives are preferably of the L configuration and include pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts. Prophylaxis or treatment or systemic hypotension in a patient which has been induced by chemotherapeutic treatment with biologic response modifiers such as tumor necrosis factor or interleukin-2 may be accomplished. Treatment of an animal for systemic hypotension induced by endotoxin, i.e.