Product and process for liquefaction of mucus or sputum
AssigneeNational Jewish Health
InventorCarl W. White
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are compositions and methods for decreasing the viscosity and/or cohesiveness of and/or increasing the liquefaction of excessively or abnormally viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum. The composition contains a protein or peptide containing a thioredoxin active-site in reduced state and optionally further contains a reducing system.
Claims17
A method to increase the liquefaction of mucus or sputum in a patient that has excessively viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum, comprising contacting the mucus or sputum of the patient with a composition comprising a protein or peptide containing a thioredoxin active-site in reduced state effective to increase the liquefaction of the mucus or sputum as compared to prior to the step of contacting.
A method to increase the liquefaction of mucus or sputum in a patient that has excessively viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum, comprising contacting the mucus or sputum in the respiratory tract of the patient with a composition comprising a protein comprising the amino acid sequence X-C-X-X-C-X, wherein C residues are in reduced state, wherein the contact of composition increases the volume of the liquid phase in a sample of mucus or sputum from the patient as compared to prior to contact with the composition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.