Use of intratracheally administered hyaluronic acid to ameliorate emphysema

Abstract

The subject invention is directed to the treatment of respiratory disorders by intratracheal administration of an effective amount of hyaluronic acid. Respiratory disorders include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary atelectasis. The treatment is intended for a variety of mammals, such as premature neonates to adult humans. Administration of hyaluronic acid may be performed by aerosol, which can be generated by a nebulizer, or by instillation. The hyaluronic acid may be administered alone, or with a carrier such as saline solution, DMSO, an alcohol or water. It may be isolated from a natural source such as a bovine or rooster. The effective daily amount of hyaluronic acid is from about 10 .mu.g/kg to about 1 mg/kg of body weight.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.