Methods of protecting and preserving connective and support tissues

Abstract

In this invention methods are described by which prostaglandins of the E.sub.1 class and compounds that mimic or induce cyclic adenosine monophosphate are used to block collagenase gene expression by cells responsible for connective and support tissue breakdown. The consequence of using pharmaceutically acceptable preparations of prostaglandin E.sub.1, analogs of prostaglandin E.sub.1 or cyclic adenosine monophosphate agonists or inducers of cyclic adenosine monophosphate is to preserve and protect connective and support tissues. These methods provide new treatment modalities useful in protecting humans and animals against connective and support tissue degradation that occurs in aging, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.