Abstract: A method for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and noncardiovascular inflammatory diseases that are mediated by VCAM-1 is provided that includes the removal, decrease in the concentration of, or prevention of the formation of oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids, or interferes with a complex formed between a polyunsaturated fatty acid or an oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acid and a protein or peptide that mediates the expression of VCAM-1. A method is also provided for suppressing the expression of a redox-sensitive gene or activating a gene that is suppressed through a redox-sensitive pathway, that includes administering an effective amount of a substance that prevents the oxidation of the oxidized signal, and typically, the oxidation of a polyunsaturated fatty acid, or interferes with a complex formed between the oxidized signal and a protein or peptide that mediates the expression of the redox gene.

Abstract: The invention provides a class of water-soluble probucol derivatives having one or more ester groups replacing the phenyl hydroxyl groups of the probucol molecule. Some derivatives have polar or charged functionalities such as carboxylic acid groups, amino groups, aldehyde groups and amide groups located on the ester groups. Some of these compounds are spontaneously hydrolyzable in typical biological milieus. The present invention also provides method of treating an animal with probucol by administering a water-soluble probucol prodrug to the animal.