Method for modulating claudin mediated functions

A method for modulating a claudin-mediated function in a mammalian subject, which comprises administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a fatty acid derivative represented by the formula (I):

• wherein L, M and N are hydrogen atom, hydroxy, halogen atom, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower)alkyl, lower alkanoyloxy or oxo, wherein at least one of L and M is a group other than hydrogen, and the five-membered ring may have at least one double bond;
• A is —CH3, or —CH2OH, —COCH2OH, —COOH or a functional derivative thereof;
• B is single bond, —CH2—CH2—, —CH═CH—, —C═C—, —CH2—CH2—CH2—, —CH_CH—CH2—, —CH2—CH═CH—, —C≡C—CH2— or —CH2—C═C—;
• Z is
• or single bond
• wherein R4 and R5 are hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or hydroxy(lower)alkyl, wherein R4 and R5 are not hydroxy and lower alkoxy at the same time;
• R1 is a saturated or unsaturated bivalent lower or medium aliphatic hydrocarbon residue, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy, oxo, aryl or heterocyclic group, and at least one of carbon atom in the aliphatic hydrocarbon is optionally substituted by oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur;
• and
• Ra is a saturated or unsaturated lower or medium aliphatic hydrocarbon residue, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, cyclo(lower)alkyl, cyclo(lower)alkyloxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic group or hetrocyclic-oxy group;
• lower alkoxy;
• lower alkanoyloxy;
• cyclo(lower)alkyl;
• cyclo(lower)alkyloxy;
• aryl;
• aryloxy;
• heterocyclic group;
• heterocyclic-oxy.

A method for modulating an expression of a claudin in a mammalian subject, which comprises administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a fatty acid derivative represented by the formula (I):

• wherein L, M and N are hydrogen atom, hydroxy, halogen atom, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower)alkyl, lower alkanoyloxy or oxo, wherein at least one of L and M is a group other than hydrogen, and the five-membered ring may have at least one double bond;
• A is —CH3, or —CH2OH, —COCH2OH, —COOH or a functional derivative thereof;
• B is single bond, —CH2—CH2—, —CH═CH—, —C═C—, —CH2—CH2—CH2—, —CH═CH—CH2—, —CH2—CH═CH—, —C═C—CH2— or —CH2—C═C—;
• Z is
• or single bond
• wherein R4 and R5 are hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or hydroxy(lower)alkyl, wherein R4 and R5 are not hydroxy and lower alkoxy at the same time;
• R1 is a saturated or unsaturated bivalent lower or medium aliphatic hydrocarbon residue, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy, oxo, aryl or heterocyclic group, and at least one of carbon atom in the aliphatic hydrocarbon is optionally substituted by oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur;
• and
• Ra is a saturated or unsaturated lower or medium aliphatic hydrocarbon residue, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, cyclo(lower)alkyl, cyclo(lower)alkyloxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic group or hetrocyclic-oxy group;
• lower alkoxy;
• lower alkanoyloxy;
• cyclo(lower)alkyl;
• cyclo(lower)alkyloxy;
• aryl;
• aryloxy;
• heterocyclic group;
• heterocyclic-oxy.