Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one inhibitor or of several inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidases and/or of enzymes having a similar substrate specificity for the induction of the production of TGF-?1 and of the expression of TGF-?1 in and/or on Treg cells and relates to the use for preventing and/or treating autoimmune diseases, allergies, arteriosclerosis and for suppressing graft rejection reactions. The invention furthermore relates to uses, wherein peptide fragments of pathogenic autoantigens or synthetic analogs and/or specific antigenic components of pathogenic microorganisms are used in addition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the-inhibition of the DNA synthesis necessary for the proliferation of human sebaceous cells (sebocytes) by the isolated or joint effect of inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (APN) and dipetidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) expressed by these cells. The DNA synthesis (proliferation) of human sebaceous cells is inhibited by the administration of the inhibitors of APN and/or of DP IV depending on the dose. Our invention shows that, for a therapy and for a prevention of dermatological diseases with sebaceous hyperproliferation and modified conditions of differentiation, the application of inhibitors of the above-mentioned enzymes and of corresponding pharmaceutical preparations and dosage forms thereof is suitable.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process wherein the DNA synthesis and, thus, the proliferation of mononuclear cells (MNZ) and of T cells as well is inhibited by the simultaneous and combined inhibition of the enzyme activity (I) of alanyl aminopeptidase and of dipeptidyl peptidase IV; (II) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of the angiotensin-converting enzyme; (III) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of prolyl oligopeptidase; and (IV) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of X-Pro-aminopeptidase to an extent which cannot be achieved by an application of a single one of said enzyme inhibitors, even at a higher dosage. Although the said inhibitors exercise an influence on the very same process finally, i.e. the DNA synthesis and, thus, the proliferation of immune cells, this effect is not complete and is not long lasting when a single inhibitor is applied.

Abstract: A drug composition for the prevention and the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases (for example ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, focal and global ischemia, amyotrophic lateral slerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Hunntington's disease, multiple sclerosis). The combination of effective agents comprises at least two of the following substances: &agr;-lipoic acid; ambroxol and one or several inhibitor(s) of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). It could surprisingly be found in the experiments on which the invention is based that neuronal cells which are particularly sensitive to degenerative insults, have less free constitutional thiol groups than have other cells of the central nervous system (CNS). It was demonstrated that this reduced content of free thiol groups is causally connected to the damaging of those cells after a degenerative event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process wherein, by a separate or simultaneous administration and effect of inhibitors of the enzymes alanyl aminopeptidase (APN) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) or of enzymes having the same or a similar substrate specifity, the damage of cerebral tissue as a consequence of an ischemia or a cranial/cerebral trauma can be reduced or prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament containing an effector of the glutathione metabolism together with &agr;-lipoic acid for treating diabetes mellitus. This medicament enables disturbances of the thiol-disulfide status or those that occur, for example, in diabetes mellitus to be treated simultaneously, separately or in a temporally graduated manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) and of enzymes having the same substrate specifity (DP IV-analogous enzymatic activity) in combination with inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (aminopeptidase N, APN) and of enzymes having the same substrate specifity (APN-analoguos enzymatic activity) for a more than additive to superadditive inhibition of the activation and proliferation (DNA synthesis) of human T lymphocytes and mononuclear cells and of the production of TH2 cytokines for a therapy and prevention of allergic reactions of the type I according to the Gell and Coombs classification and for a more than additive to super-additive inhibition of the activation, proliferation (DNA synthesis) of human epidermal and follicular keratinocytes and of keratinocytes of the transitional zone between the skin and the mucous membranes as well as for a therapy and prevention of dermatological diseases with follicular and epidermal hyperkeratoses and an enhanced prolife

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament containing an effector of the glutathione metabolism together with &agr;-lipoic acid, its salts and/or prodrugs as a combined preparation for the simultaneous, separate or time-controlled treatment of a defective thiol-disulfide status in kidney replacement therapy and of clinical characteristics, which indicate a disorder of the thiol-disulfide status of immunocytes. The correction of a defective thiol metabolism is of fundamental importance as a basic therapy for treating a large number of diseases of different origin, in particular however in circumstances requiring an essential kidney replacement therapy.