Treatment for cardiovascular and related diseases

Abstract

A method for the removal of cholesterol, triglycerides and other lipids from animal plasma, serum or other suitable blood fractions, as a discontinuous flow system, the method comprising withdrawing blood from a subject, separating the required fraction from the blood and mixing with a solvent mixture which extracts the lipids from the fraction, after which the delipidated fraction is recombined with the blood cells and returned to the subject, wherein the solvent extraction step is carried out separately and remote from the subject. The delipidated fraction is washed with a second solvent before being recombined with the blood cells. To ensure that the delipidated fraction is free from all extraction solvent, the fraction is mixed with an absorbent specific for the solvent that is being removed. The preferred absorbent is a macroporous polymeric bead contained in the pores of a sintered glass or plastic sphere, the being capable of absorbing organic molecules from an aqueous solution. By treating the plasma, serum or other suitable blood fraction of a patient by these methods, the blood rheology of a patient with impaired blood circulation can be improved. Further, a rapid regression of coronary atherosclerosis occurs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a U.S. National Phase Application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371 based on International Application No. PCT / AU95 / 00875, having an International Filing Date of Dec. 22, 1995.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]THIS INVENTION relates to plasma or serum delipidation in animals (which term shall indicate humans), to a treatment for cardiovascular disease and to removal of excess fat from the animals. In particular, it is directed to the removal of cholesterol, triglycerides and other lipids, and fat soluble toxins—for example, insecticides—from the blood plasma or serum of such animals.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for a significant number of deaths in most industrialised countries.[0004]One such disease is atherosclerosis which is characterised by local fatty thickening in the inner aspects of large vessels supplying blood to the heart, brain and other vital organs. These lesions obstruct the lumen of the vesse...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0049]Suitable solvents for the extraction comprise mixtures of hydrocarbons, ethers and alcohols. Preferred solvents are mixtures of lower alcohols with lower ethers. The lower alcohols suitably include those which are not appreciably miscible with the plasma and these can include the butanols (butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol). C1-4 ethers are also preferred and these can include the propyl ethers (di-isopropyl ether and propyl ether). Other solve...

Problems solved by technology

Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for a significant number of deaths in most industrialised countries.

These lesions obstruct the lumen of the vessel and result in ischaemia of the tissue supplied by the vessel.

Prolonged or sudden ischaemia may result in a clinical heart attack or stroke from which the patient may or may not recover.

However, the use of diet as a primary mode of therapy requires a major effort on the part of physicians, nutritionists, dieticians and other health professionals.

However, there is no direct evidence that any cholesterol-lowering drug can be safely administered over an extended period.

Many drugs are effective in reducing blood lipids, but none work in all types of hyperlipidaemia and they all have undesirable side effects.

There is no conclusive evidence that hypolipidaemic drugs can cause regression of atherosclerosis.

Thus, despite progress in achieving the lowering of plasma cholesterol to prevent heart disease by diet, drug therapies, surgical revascularization procedures and angioplasty, atherosclerosis remains the major cause of death in Western Countries.

This treatment can result in complications due to the possible introduction of foreign proteins and transmission of infectious diseases.

Therefore, removal of HDL is not advantageous.

Furthermore, LDL removal may be counter productive as, low blood LDL levels may result in increased cellular cholesterol synthesis.

While cholesterol apha...