Method of treating lung disease with uridine triphosphates

A method of treating cystic fibrosis in a human subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering by inhalation an aerosol suspension of respirable particles to the respiratory system of said subject, said particles comprised of a compound of Formula I below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

• ##STR3## wherein:
• X.sub.1, X.sub.2, and X.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OH and SH;
• R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of O, imido, methylene, and dihalomethylene;
• and
• R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H and Br;
• in an amount effective to hydrate retained lung mucous secretions in the lungs of said subject, whereby the retained mucous secretions are more easily transported from the lungs via mucociliary action.

A pharmaceutical formulation comprising amiloride in an amount effective to inhibit the reabsorption of water from lung mucus secretions and a compound of Formula I below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an aerosolizable form to be delivered to the lungs of a subject in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier:

• ##STR4## wherein:
• X.sub.1, X.sub.2, and X.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OH and SH;
• R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of O, imido, methylene, and dihalomethylene;
• and
• R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H and Br.