The invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating the expression of alpha-ENaC, and more particularly to the downregulation of alpha-ENaC expression by chemically modified oligonucleotides.

Pharmaceutical compositions for and methods of treating an animal, including a human, and methods of preparing such compositions. The pharmaceutical compositions contain crosslinked amine polymers and may be used, for example, to treat diseases or other metabolic conditions in which removal of protons and/or chloride ions from the gastrointestinal tract would provide physiological benefits such as normalizing serum bicarbonate concentrations and the blood pH in an animal, including a human.

Pharmaceutical compositions for and methods of treating an animal, including a human, and methods of preparing such compositions. The pharmaceutical compositions contain crosslinked amine polymers and may be used, for example, to treat diseases or other metabolic conditions in which removal of protons and/or chloride ions from the gastrointestinal tract would provide physiological benefits such as normalizing serum bicarbonate concentrations and the blood pH in an animal, including a human.

The present invention relates to the use of selective aquaporin inhibitors, e.g., of aquaporin-4 or aquaporin-2, e.g., certain phenylbenzamide compounds, for the prophylaxis, treatment and control of aquaporin-mediated conditions, e.g., diseases of water imbalance, for example edema (particularly edema of the brain and spinal cord, e.g., following trauma or ischemic stroke, as well as the edema associated with glioma, meningitis, acute mountain sickness, epileptic seizures, infections, metabolic disorders, hypoxia, water intoxication, hepatic failure, hepatic encephalopathy, diabetic ketoacidosis, abscess, eclampsia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and lupus cerebritis, as well as edema consequent to microgravity and/or radiation exposure, as well as edema consequent to invasive central nervous system procedures, e.g., neurosurgery, endovascular clot removal, spinal tap, aneurysm repair, or deep brain stimulation, as well as retinal edema), as well as hyponatremia and excess fluid retention, and diseases such as epilepsy, retinal ischemia and other diseases of the eye associated with abnormalities in intraocular pressure and/or tissue hydration, myocardial ischemia, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, myocardial hypoxia, congestive heart failure, sepsis, and neuromyelitis optica, as well as migraines, as well as to novel assays for identifying aquaporin inhibitors.

This invention is directed to benzenesulfonamide compounds, as stereoisomers, enantiomers, tautomers thereof or mixtures thereof; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, for the treatment of diseases or conditions associated with voltage-gated sodium channels, such as epilepsy.

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof: (Formula (I)) wherein X, L, V, R.sub.1; R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, are as defined herein. The claimed compounds inhibit the enzyme 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11-HSD2) and as a result are useful in the treatment of hyperkalemia by preventing cortisol from being oxidised to cortisone and thus allowing it to occupy the mineralocorticoid receptor, thus stimulating potassium excretion.

##STR00001##

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof: (Formula (I)) wherein X, L, V, R.sub.1; R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, are as defined herein. The claimed compounds inhibit the enzyme 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11-HSD2) and as a result are useful in the treatment of hyperkalemia by preventing cortisol from being oxidised to cortisone and thus allowing it to occupy the mineralocorticoid receptor, thus stimulating potassium excretion.

##STR00001##

A process for removing Pb.sup.2+, Hg.sup.2+, K.sup.+ and NH.sub.4.sup.+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchange composition to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchange composition. The ion exchange compositions are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sup.r+.sub.pM.sup.s+.sub.1-xM′.sup.t+.sub.xSi.sub.nO.sub.m

A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A process for removing Pb.sup.2+, Hg.sup.2+, K.sup.+ and NH.sub.4.sup.+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchange composition to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchange composition. The ion exchange compositions are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sup.r+.sub.pM.sup.s+.sub.1-xM′.sup.t+.sub.xSi.sub.nO.sub.m

A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A process for removing Pb.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchange composition to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchange composition. The ion exchange compositions are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sub.mTi.sub.aNb.sub.1-aSi.sub.xO.sub.y

having either the pharmacosiderite, sitinakite, pharmacosiderite-sitinakite intergrowth topologies or mixtures thereof. A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.