Claims
- 1. A method of inhibiting myocardial fibrosis, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an aldosterone antagonist which suppresses activity at aldosterone receptors in a mammalian body, wherein said aldosterone antagonist is administered in a quantity that is therapeutically effective in suppressing aldosterone-mediated myocardial fibrosis without substantially increasing sodium excretion and without substantially reducing potassium retention by the body.
- 2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the aldosterone antagonist which suppresses activity at aldosterone receptors comprises a spirolactone compound having a lactone ring coupled to a steroid structure in a spiro configuration.
- 3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein the spirolactone compound comprises spironolactone.
- 4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein spironolactone is administered to an adult patient by means of oral tablets or capsules containing between 10 and 20 milligrams.
- 5. An article of manufacture comprising a pharmaceutical tablet or capsule for oral ingestion, containing spironolactone in an amount within a range of 10 to 20 milligrams.
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/871,390, filed on Apr. 21, 1992.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
[0002] This invention was supported in part by grant R01-31701 from the National Institutes of Health. Accordingly, the federal government has certain rights in this invention.
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09274052 |
Mar 1999 |
US |
Child |
09556352 |
Apr 2000 |
US |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
08926638 |
Sep 1997 |
US |
Child |
09274052 |
Mar 1999 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
07871390 |
Apr 1992 |
US |
Child |
08926638 |
Sep 1997 |
US |