Acylated uridine and cytidine and uses thereof

A method as recited in claim wherein said acyl derivative of uridine is 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl uridine.

A method far treating diabetes comprising administering to an animal in need of such treatment an acyl derivative of cytidine in an amount to effect such treatment having the formula (III)

• wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are the same or different and each is hydrogen or an acyl radical of a carboxylic add selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic add, enolpyruvic add, an amino add, a fatty acid of 2 to 22 carbon atoms, lipoic acid, pantothenic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, acetoacetic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, betahydroxybutyric acid, orotic acid, and creatine, provided that at least one of said T substituents is not hydrogen, and that R4 is not a fatty add, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A method for treating a diabetic neuropathy comprising administering to an animal in need of such treatment an acyl derivative of uridine in an amount to effect such treatment, having the formula (I)

• wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are the same or different and each is hydrogen or an acyl radical of a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, enolpyruvic acid, an amino acid, a fatty acid of 2 to 22 carbon atoms lipoic acid, pantothenic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, acetoacetic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, betahydroxybutyric add, orotic acid, and creatine, provided that at least one of said R substituents is not hydrogen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.