Use of vitaletheine modulators in the prophylaxis and treatment of disease

A method for treating a mammalian, including human, disease or disorder comprising exposing the cells involved in the disease or disorder to a therapeutic amount of at least one vitaletheine modulator of the formula:

• 42
• wherein:
• the set of double parentheses brackets the portion of the molecule bearing a charge p when z is 1;
• M1—(C═M)—M— (wherein C is the #2 carbon atom) is M1—(C═M)—M—, M1═(C—MA)—M—, or M1—(C—MA)═N—;
• and —(C═M)—M— (wherein C is the #5 carbon atom) is —(C═M)—M— or —(C—MA)═N—;
• wherein A is X, −1, or a direct bond, or when —(C═M)—M— is —(C—MA)═N— or the compound is polymeric or internal cyclic or spirocyclic, A is optionally R;
• and M and M1 are as defined below;
• each R is independently H or a hydrocarbon radical;
• X is a biologically-compatible cation or cationic complex;
• X′ is a biologically-compatible ion or ionic complex;
• M is S, O, N, or NH;
• M1 is S or O with the proviso that M1 is also optionally N or NH when the modulator is polymeric, or internal cyclic or spirocyclic;
• Q is CR2 or a direct bond;
• Q1 is CR2, CR2CR2, or a direct bond;
• Y is O, —[(C═O ]-R, or a direct bond;
• a is the absolute value of |r/(r′+p+Σ)| with the proviso that when (r′+p+Σs) is ≧0, at least one q or q′ is zero, such that the sum of any charges on the remainder of the complex is balanced by charges on ion or ions, X or X′, or ions, X and X′;
• m is 0 or a whole integer from +1 to +5;
• n is 1 or 2 when z is 1, and n is 1 or 1.5 when z is 2;
• p is +1, 0, or −1;
• q and q′ are each independently +1 or zero;
• r and r′ are each independently a whole integer from +1 to +4 or r′ is a whole integer from −1 to −4;
• s is −1 or 0;
• y is 1 to 40;
• z is +1 or +2;
• and
• wherein the modulator has a molecular weight of no more than about 10,000 daltons.