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.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/926,638, filed Sep. 10, 1997, abandoned which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/546,776, filed Oct. 23, 1995, abandoned which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/160,236, filed Dec. 2, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,992 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/871,390, filed on Apr. 21, 1992 abandoned.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
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.
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
Brilla et al, J. Hypertension 8(3), 1990. |
Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15th Ed., pp. 867-868, 1975. |
Continuations (3)
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926638 |
Sep 1997 |
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Parent |
546776 |
Oct 1995 |
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Parent |
160236 |
Dec 1993 |
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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871390 |
Apr 1992 |
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