BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For over one hundred years, organic nitrates such as nitroglycerin and amyl nitrite, among others, have been used to relieve anginal pain and treat heart disease (Reeves. J. T., 1995, NIPS. 10,141). The beneficial use of these compounds is due to their ability, once administered to subject, to induce dilation of the vascular system (i. e., arteries and veins) resulting in decrease in blood pressure and attenuation of the pre-load on the heart.

Nitroglycerin or glycerol trinitrate is an organic nitrate ester which, when administered to a subject, is converted biologically to nitric oxide ("NO"), a pharmacologically active metabolite. NO, for example, activates soluble guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle cells which in turn increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) resulting in vasorelaxation and ultimately leading to vasodilation and a reduction in blood pressure. However, the effectiveness of nitroglycerin and other organic nitrates having vasodilating activity is greatly diminished because the recipient of the organic nitrate rapidly develops a tolerance to the beneficial effects of the organic nitrate.

Tolerance to the vascular and anti-anginal effects of nitroglycerin and other organic nitrates can develop at low dosages as well as at high dosages. As a result, the organic nitrate loses its effectiveness during sustained therapy and increasing amounts of the organic nitrate must be administered to achieve the same

effect. As nitrate tolerance progresses, the effectiveness of nitroglycerin and other organic nitrates are further limited and increased dosages have little or no effect on vasorelaxation or vasodilation (see, e. g., Bogaert, M., 1991, J. Cardiovas. Pharmacol.

17 (Suppl. 3), S313 ; and Unger, P., et al., 1991, J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 17 (Suppl.

3), S300). Furthermore, in certain circumstances, the administration of an organic nitrate to a patient who is nitrate tolerant may result in vasoconstriction, and not vasodilation (Caramori et al., 1998, JACC 32 (7), 1969; Gupte et al., 1996, Am. J.

Physiol. H2447). This is potentially a dangerous side effect as the administration of the organic nitrate may exacerbate the very condition that it is supposed to improve.

Moreover, the infusion of very high doses of organic nitrates in an attempt to overcome the development of tolerance may lead cytotoxicity and organ failure.

The precise mechanism in which tolerance of organic nitrates (e. g., nitroglycerin) develops remains unknown. Theories explaining the development of tolerance include: (1) the sulfhydryl pools necessary for the direct biotransformation of nitroglycerin into active nitric oxide are depleted by excess nitroglycerin substrate (Boesgaard, S., et al., 1991, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 258,851); (2) the activation of vascular guanylate cyclase is diminished by nitroglycerin (Henry P. J., et al., 1989, Br. J. Pharmacol. 98,757); or (3) the rate of cGMP degradation may be increased due to enhanced of cGMP phosphodiesterase during tolerance to nitroglycerin (Axelsson, K. L., et al., 1987, Drugs 33,63). Additionally, neurohormonal activation and increase in plasma volume have recently been incriminated in tolerance development.

Attempts to avoid or reduce the development of nitrate tolerance have included the use of antioxidants such as vitamins E and C. (Munzel et al., 1998, Am.

J. Cardiol. 81 (1A), 30A). Other methods include the administration of reduced glutathione or cysteine and the pretreatment with angiotensin II converting enzyme inhibitors or angistensin II receptor antagonist. Likewise, some success has been achieved with thromboxane receptor antagonists to inhibit vasoconstriction associated with organic nitrate administration (Gupte et al., 1996, Am. J. Physiol. H2447).

However, these methods have produced conflicting results.

In view of the above, and because nitrates are considered as first-line therapy, there is a need in the art for methods of potentiating (i. e., increasing the

effectiveness of) organic nitrates being administered to subject who does not exhibit a tolerance for organic nitrates. Likewise, there is a need in the art for methods of increasing the effectiveness of organic nitrates being administered to a subject who already exhibits a tolerance to organic nitrates.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide, inter alia, methods, formulations, and synergistic compositions for potentiating of organic nitrates being administered to a subject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for potentiating an organic nitrate having vasodilating activity by administering to a subject an effective amount of the organic nitrate with a potentiating amount of a thromboxane receptor antagonist and a reducing agent.

In one embodiment, the organic nitrate, thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent are co-administered to the subject. In alternative embodiment, the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent are administered to the subject prior to the organic nitrate. While in another embodiment, the organic nitrate is administered to the subject prior to the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent. The subject preferably is a mammal, which may be in need of vasodilation and may additionally exhibit a tolerance for the organic nitrate.

An organic nitrate having vasodilating activity includes nitroglycerin, amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, erythrityl tetranitrate, pentaerythritol trinitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, sodium nitroprusside, trolnitrate phosphate, clonitrate, mannitol hexanitrate, propatyl nitrate, or any mixture thereof.

One preferred organic nitrate is nitroglycerin. An effective amount of the organic nitrate ranges from 0.0001 to 120 mg/kg of body weight per day, with no more than 30 mg/kg being preferred, and no more 0.5 mg/kg being more preferred.

In one embodiment the reducing agent is a non-antioxidant reducing agent. Non-antioxidant reducing agent include GDP (guanosine diphosphate), GTP (guanosine triphosphate), NADPH (reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate), NADH (reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide), FADH2 (reduced

flavin-adenine dinucleotide), FMNH2 (reduced flavin mononucleotide), sodium pyruvate, sodium dithionite, N-acetylcysteine, reduced glutathione or any mixture thereof. In another embodiment, the reducing agent is L-ascorbic acid.

Thromboxane receptor antagonists include ONO-3708, Seratrodast, Rodigrel, Daltroban, Sulotroban, AH 23848, GR 32191, ICI 192605, SQ 28668, SQ 28913, SQ 29548, or any mixture thereof. Two preferred thromboxane receptor antagonists are ONO-3708 and Seratrodast.

In accordance with the invention, the potentiating amount of the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent provide at least a 15 % decrease in the coronary perfusion pressure of the subject as compared to the organic nitrate alone. More preferable, the potentiating amount provides at least a 25 % decrease, with at least a 40 % or greater decrease in coronary perfusion pressure being preferred.

The present invention also provides a formulation for inducing vasodilation which includes an effective amount of the organic nitrate and a potentiating amount of the thromboxane receptor antagonist and the reducing agent.

Potentiating amounts for the formulation are an organic nitrate: thromboxane receptor antagonist ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 2000, and an organic nitrate: reducing agent ratio of 1: 10 to 1: 5 x 10'. Preferable are organic nitrate: thromboxane receptor antagonist ratios of 1: 1 to 1: 1000, and organic nitrate: reducing agent ratios of 1: 10 to 1: 5 x 105 with organic nitrate: thromboxane receptor antagonist ratios of 1: 1 to 1: 100, and organic nitrate: reducing agent ratio of 1: 10 to 1: 5 x 103 being more preferred. In another embodiment, the formulation further includes a physiologically-acceptable carrier.

A synergistic composition for potentiating the organic nitrate is also provided. The synergistic composition includes the thromboxane receptor antagonist and the reducing agent. The composition contains the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent in a ratio ranging from 1: 1 to 1: 5 x 101, with 1: 1 to 1: 5 x 105 being preferred, and 1: 1 to 1: 5 x 103 being more preferred. In another embodiment, the composition further includes a physiologically-acceptable carrier.

Through the present invention, improved vasodilating activity from organic nitrates are achieved. Significant decreases in coronary perfusion pressure are

facilitated by the combined use of the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent. Likewise, the present invention facilitates the use reduced dosages of organic nitrates to achieve levels of vasodilation that were previously obtained with significantly higher dosages. These and other advantages will be readily apparent from the detailed description of the invention set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a line graph illustrating the effect on coronary perfusion pressure ("CPP") by the administration of varying concentrations of nitroglycerin ("NTG").

FIG. 2 is a line graph illustrating the effect on coronary perfusion pressure by varying concentrations of nitroglycerin administered with a thromboxane receptor antagonist, ONO-3708.

FIG. 3 is a line graph illustrating the effect on coronary perfusion pressure by varying concentrations of nitroglycerin administered with L-ascorbic acid ("AA") as a reducing agent.

FIG. 4 is a line graph illustrating the effect on coronary perfusion pressure by varying concentrations of nitroglycerin administered with ONO-3708 and L-ascorbic acid.

FIG. 5 is bar chart illustrating the effect on coronary perfusion pressure by the administration of nitroglycerin, ONO-3708, NADPH as a reducing agent, and various combinations of the compounds.

FIG. 6 is a bar chart illustrating the effect on coronary perfusion pressure by the administration of nitroglycerin, L-ascorbic acid, a thromboxane receptor antagonist, Seratrodast, and various combinations of the compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a method for potentiating the vasodilating activity of organic nitrates is provided. Advantageously, the vasodilating activity of organic nitrates is potentiated (i. e., increased) by administering the organic nitrate in conjunction with a thromboxane receptor antagonist and a reducing agent.

The unexpected synergism between the organic nitrate and the combination of the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent facilitates the use of reduced levels of organic nitrates to achieve sufficient vasodilation in a subject.

A subject in this context means any organism, preferably living, with mammals being more preferred. Representative examples of mammals include, but are not limited to, bovines, canines, felines, equines, murines and humans. In another preferred embodiment, the subject (e. g., a mammal) is in need of vasodilation, which means that the subject is suffering from cardiac or other conditions in which vasodilation would provide some beneficial relief from or amelioration of unwanted symptoms due to the condition (e. g., chest pain due to angina pectoris). In another embodiment, the subject exhibits already exhibits a tolerance for organic nitrates having vasodilating activity.

In accordance with the present invention, the sequence by which the organic nitrate, thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent are administered to a subject is variable. In a preferred embodiment, the organic nitrate, thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent are co-administered to the subject for ease of delivery. Alternatively, the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent are administered to the subject prior to the organic nitrate or in the reverse order. In yet another embodiment, the organic nitrate, thromboxane receptor antagonist, and reducing agent are administered sequentially to each other or with the organic nitrate and either thromboxane receptor antagonist or reducing agent being co-administered.

The preferred sequence of administration for any particular formulation can easily be determined by one skilled in the art following the teachings of the invention.

The organic nitrate can be any organic nitrate (or nitrite) having vasodilating and/or anti-anginal activity. Vasodilating activity in this context means that the compound is capable of increasing the diameter of the blood vessels in a subject thereby decreasing the resistance to blood flow. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the decrease in resistance to blood flow can be approximated by measuring the decrease in coronary perfusion pressure ("CPP") which is the pressure needed to infuse fluid into the heart.

Examples of organic nitrates (or nitrites) have vasodilating activity and/or anti-anginal activity are well known in the art. Representative example of suitable organic nitrates having vasodilating activity to be utilized in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, nitroglycerin, amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, erythrityl tetranitrate, pentaerythritol trinitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, sodium nitroprusside, trolnitrate phosphate, clonitrate, mannitol hexanitrate, propatyl nitrate, or mixtures thereof. One preferred organic nitrate is nitroglycerin.

In accordance with the invention, an effective amount of an organic nitrate having vasodilating activity is administered to a subject. An effective amount is an amount of the organic nitrate sufficient to induce a decrease in the CPP of the subject. Changes in a subject's CPP can be monitored by non-invasive techniques such as Doppler-and echo-cardiography. Likewise, changes in a subject's CPP can be indirectly ascertained by measuring blood pressure (plethsmography). However, other methods can be used to ascertain a decrease in a subject's CPP due to vasodilation from organic nitrate administration.

The amount of the organic nitrate needed to induce a decrease in CPP will vary from subject to subject and is affected by a variety of factors, including the EDso (or ICso) of the specific organic nitrate, the method of administration, the body mass and age of the subject, and the existence of nitrate tolerance. In general, an effective amount of the organic nitrate will range from 0.0001 to 120 mg/kg of body weight per day, with an upper limit of 30 mg/kg being preferred, and an upper limit of 0.5 mg/kg being more preferred. For example, in the case of nitroglycerin, the dosages can vary from 0.3-0.6 mg for tablet form, 15-30 mg for an ointment, 0.1-10 mg/hr for a transdermal patch and 0.5-75 u. g/kg/min for an intravenous solution. The above parameters can be easily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As previously described, the thromboxane receptor antagonist and a reducing agent are utilized to potentiate the organic nitrate. Thromboxane receptor antagonists to be used in accordance with the invention include any selective thromboxane A2-receptor antagonist. Examples of thromboxane receptor antagonists are well known in the art. Representative examples to be used include, but are not

limited to, ONO-3708 ( (9, 11), (11, 12)-dideoxa-9 alpha, 11 alpha-dimethylmethano- 11, 12-methano-13, 14-dihydro-13-aza-14-oxo-15-cyclopenthyl-16, 17,18,19,20- penthanol-15-epi-TxA2), Seratrodast ( (-+)-C- (2, 4,5-trimethyl-3,6-dioxo-1,4- cyclohexadien-l-yl) benzene heptanoic acid), Rodigrel ( (E)-5- [ [ [3-pyridinyl [3- (trifluoromethyl) phenyl] methylene] amino] oxy] pentanoic acid), Daltroban (4- [2- [ [ (4- chlorophenyl) sulfonyl] amino] ethyl]-benzeneacetic acid), Sulotroban (4- [2- (benzenesulfamido) ethyl] phenoxyacetic acid), AH 23848 ( a (Z)-2p, 5a]- (+)-7- [5- [[ (1, 1'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-methoxy]-2- (4-morpholinyl)-3-oxo-cyclopentyl]-4-heptanoic acid), GR 32191 ([lR-[l a (Z), 2p, ß,3ß,5α]]-(+)-7-[5-([1,1'-biphenyl[-4-ylmethoxy)-3- hydroxy-2- (l-piperidinyl) cyclopentyl]-4-heptanoic acid), ICI 192605-4 ( (Z)-6- [ (2, 4,5- cis) 2-chlorophenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyphenyl) 1, 3-dioxan-5-yl] hexanoic acid, SQ 28668 ( [lS- [la, 2p (5Z), 3p (lE, 3R, 4S), 4a]]-7- [3- (3-hydroxy-4-phenyl-l-pentenyl)-7- oxabicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid), SQ 28913 ( [S- [l (x, 2a (Z), 3a, 4a]]-7- [3- [ (hexylthio) methyl]-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid), SQ 29548 ([1S- [la, 2a, (Z), 3a (lE, 3S*, 4R*), 4<x]]-7- [3- (3-hydroxy-4-phenyl-l-pentenyl)-7- oxabicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid) and any mixture thereof. Preferred thromboxane receptor antagonists are ONO-3708 and Seratrodast.

In the context of the present invention, a reducing agent is any compound capable of reducing the valency of another compound and is itself oxidized as a result of donating electrons (i. e., the compound is an electron donor). Preferably, the compound is physiologically-acceptable to the subject which means the compound is generally tolerable (i. e., relatively non-toxic). The reductive ability of a compound is often characterized by measuring its redox potential (Eo). This is in contrast to a "classic"antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals by either trapping the free radical or by acting as a free radical scavenger. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some compounds characterized as antioxidants also function as reducing agents (i. e., electron donors). In accordance with the present invention, the reducing agent of the synergistic composition includes non-antioxidant reducing agents and antioxidants that have reductive properties. Examples of non-antioxidant reducing agents include GDP, GTP, NADPH, NADH, FADH2, FMNH2, sodium pyruvate, sodium dithionite, N-acetylcysteine, reduced glutathione, or mixtures thereof. An example of an

antioxidant having reductive properties is L-ascorbic acid. Combinations of two categories of compounds can also be used. In a preferred embodiment, the reducing agent is L-ascorbic acid or NADPH.

The thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent are administered in a potentiating amount to synergize the vasodilating effect of the organic nitrate. A potentiating amount in this context means an amount of the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent sufficient to increase the vasodilating effect of the organic nitrate so as to induce at least 15 percent decrease in CPP as compared to the decrease exhibited by the administration of the organic nitrate alone. Preferably, the potentiating amount is an amount that provides at least a 25 percent decrease in CPP, with at least 40 percent or greater being more preferred. One distinct advantage of the present invention is that low dosages of organic nitrates that do not exhibit sufficient vasodilation when administered alone can now provide effective levels of vasodilation when administered with the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent. Accordingly, significantly reduced levels of organic nitrates can be used to provide sufficient vasodilation to a subject.

As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the ratio of organic nitrate to thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent to provide a potentiating amount is variable. Generally, the amount of the thromboxane receptor antagonist is substantially less than the reducing agent. In accordance with the present invention, the molar ratio of the organic nitrate to the thromboxane receptor antagonist ranges from 1: 1 to 1: 2000, with 1: 1 to 1: 1000 being preferred, and 1: 1 to 1: 100 being more preferred. The molar ratio of the organic nitrate to the reducing agent ranges from 1: 10 to 1: 5 x 10', with 1: 10 to 1: 5 x 105 being preferred, and 1: 10 to 1: 5 x 103 being more preferred. In addition, the choice of thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent will affect ratio of two components needed to provide optimum potentiation. For example, the efficacy of thromboxane receptor antagonists as characterized by their respective EDso (or IC50) will vary from compound to compound. Likewise, the efficacy of reducing agents as characterized by their respective redox potentials will also vary from compound to compound. These parameters can be easily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art following the teachings of the present invention.

The present invention also provides formulations for inducing vasodilation in subject, which includes an effective amount of the organic nitrate having vasodilating activity and a potentiating amount of the thromboxane receptor antagonist and reducing agent. The formulations of the invention are administered to a subject by any technique known in the art. Routes of delivery can include, but are not limited to, oral, intranasal, sublingual, intrapulmonary, rectal, transdermal, intravenous and combinations thereof. Acceptable dosage forms suitable for administration to a subject include, but are not limited to, tablets, capsules, powders, patches, solutions, suspensions, immediate and sustained release. Preferably, the formulations of the invention include a physiologically-acceptable carrier in which the organic nitrate is dispersed. For example, the carrier can be buffered saline if a liquid formulation is prepared. Procedures for making and administering such dosage forms are well within the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art.

In addition, the present invention provides a synergistic composition for potentiating an organic nitrate having vasodilating activity. The synergistic composition includes the thromboxane receptor antagonist and the reducing agent.

The molar ratio of the thromboxane receptor antagonist to reducing agent in the synergistic composition ranges from 1: 1 to 1: 5 x 10', with 1: 1 to 1: 5 x 105 being preferred and 1: 1 to 1: 5 x 103 being more preferred. The synergistic composition is administered and formulated is the same manner as the organic nitrate containing formulations described above.

The following non-limiting examples illustrate the use of organic nitrates in conjunction with thromboxane receptors antagonists and reducing agents to provide vasodilation.

EXAMPLES Comparative Example 1 Male Sprague-Dawely rats weighing 310 to 400 grams were decapitated and the hearts were quickly excised. Langendorff perfusion was established following the procedure described in Gupte, S. A., Okada, T., Ochi, R.,"Coronary vasoconstriction in superoxide-pre-treated rat heart: increase by nitroglycerin and

decrease by NO synthase inhibitors"Proc. Jpn. Acad. Ser. B. 71: 1995, p. 274-278 and in Okada, T.,"Hypoxia-induced changes in prostanoids production and coronary flow in isolated rat heart", J. Mol. Cell Cardiol. 23: 939-948 (1991), which are incorporated by reference.

Each heart was perfused retrogradely with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 116 mM NaCl, 25 mM NaHCO3, 2.5 mM CaClz, 1.2 mM MgSO4, 4.7 mM KC1, 1.2 mM KH2PO4, and 5.5 mM glucose (pH 7.4) at a constant flow rate of 12 mL/minute without re-circulation. The perfusate was warmed to 38°C and oxygenated with a 95%, 2-5%CO2 gas mixture to maintain an O2 pressure greater than 400 mm Hg during the entire experimental period. Changes in the mean coronary perfusion pressure ("CPP") were monitored by placing a water transducer at the entrance of the perfusate into the coronary arteries. CPP at time = 0 was considered control and deemed to be 100%.

After a 15 to 20 minute stabilization and control period, the coronary flow was increased to 24 mL/min to maintain the CPP between 85-95 mm Hg. The hearts were perfused with the elevated flow for 10 minutes. After perfusion for 10 minutes at the elevated flow rate, the hearts were ready to be perfused with the test compounds.

In order to ascertain the vasodilating activity of nitroglycerin ("NTG"), the following concentrations of NTG were administered (n = 4-7): 0.05, uM; 0.1 u. M ; 1.0 RM ; 2.0 uM ; and 4.0 u. M, which correlate to intravenous dosages of about 0.681 , ug/kg ; 1.362 llg/kg ; 13.62 gg/kg ; 27.252 llg/kg ; and 54.504 llg/kg, respectively.

Changes in the CPP were monitored and are shown in FIG. 1 and listed in Table 1.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 and Table 1, 0.05 uM NTG (--V--), 0.1 uM NTG and 1. 0 µM NTG (--+--) had a minimal impact on coronary perfusion pressure. In fact, perfusion with 0.05 uM NTG and 0.1 pM NTG provided no vasodilation at all. Perfusion with 2. 0 µM NTG (--1--) and 4, uM NTG (--p--) resulted in a transient decrease in perfusion pressure. However, within 20 minutes following the administration of 2.0 uM NTG and 4.0 FM NTG, the CPP increased above 100%.

Comparative Example 2 Following the procedure of Example 1, the vasodilating activity of nitroglycerin co-administered with a thromboxane receptor antagonist was ascertained.

After the rat hearts were perfused with the elevated flow rate for 10 minutes, NTG and ONO-3708 were co-administered (n = 4-6). The effect of the co-administration of 10 I1M ONO-3708 (which correlates to an intravenous dosage of about 162 ug/kg), and the varying concentrations of NTG on CPP, are shown in FIG. 2 and listed in Table 1.

A 10 uM ONO-3708 was used since this concentration correlates to the IC50 for suppressing vasoconstriction induced with U46619, a thromboxane A2 receptor analogue.

FIG. 2 illustrates that co-administration of ONO-3708 and NTG resulted in slight decrease in CPP. For example, the CPP dropped to only 91% when 0.05 HM NTG and 10, uM of ONO-3708 was administered (--M--). Increasing the NTG concentration to 0.1 uM (--+--) resulted in a CPP of 92%. Thus, the administration 0.05 u. M, 0.1 uM and 1.0 uM NTG in fact provided no improvement over the administration of ONO-3708 alone However, the co-administration of ONO-3708 with either 2 uM NTG (--s--) or 4 uM NTG (--V--) did prevent the vasoconstriction that occurred when 2 IlM or 4, uM of NTG was administered alone (FIG. 1, --#-- & --#--).

Comparative Example 3 In order to ascertain the effect of L-ascorbic acid, an antioxidant having reducing properties, on the vasodilating activity of nitroglycerin, varying dosages of NTG were co-administered with L-ascorbic acid using the procedure described in Example 1. A concentration of 10 mM L-ascorbic acid was used, which correlates to an intravenous dosage of about 60 mg/kg. After the rat hearts were perfused with the elevated flow rate for 10 minutes, the NTG and L-ascorbic acid ("AA") were co- administered (n = 5). The effect of the co-administration of L-ascorbic acid and varying concentrations of NTG on CPP, are shown in FIG. 3 and listed in Table 1.

FIG. 3 shows that co-administration of L-ascorbic-acid and NTG resulted in slight decrease in CPP. For example, the CPP dropped to only 88% 20 minutes after the administration of 0.05, uM NTG and 10 mM of ascorbic acid or 0.1 pM NTG and 10 mM of L-ascorbic acid which is a slight improvement over the administration of L-ascorbic acid alone Increasing the NTG concentration to 2.0 pM (--O--) and 4.0 . M (--O--) resulted in a CPP of 78% and 76%, respectively. Thus, the co-administration of L-ascorbic acid and NTG did provide some increased vasodilation and inhibited the vasoconstriction that was observed when NTG was administered alone.

Example 4 Following the procedure of Example 1, the vasodilating activity of nitroglycerin co-administered with the thromboxane receptor antagonist, ONO-3708, and the reducing agent, L-ascorbic acid, was ascertained. After the hearts were perfused with the elevated flow rate for 10 minutes, NTG was co-administered with a combination of ONO-3708 and L-ascorbic acid (n = 6). The effects of co-administering ONO-3708 and L-ascorbic acid with varying concentrations of NTG on CPP, are shown in FIG. 4 and listed in Table 1.

As can be seen from FIG. 4 and Table 1, administering the organic nitrate, NTG, in conjunction with the synergistic composition containing 10 uM of ONO-3708 and 10 mM L-ascorbic acid (1: 1000 molar ratio) greatly potentiated the NTG. The CPP rapidly dropped to 52% 1 minute after the administration of 4 uM of NTG and in conjunction with the L-ascorbic acid and ONO-3708 where it leveled off at 47% after 240 minutes This compares with the transient drop of CPP after 1 minute to 94%, a gradual decrease to 84% after 3 minutes, followed by an increase of CPP to 150% after 240 minutes resulting from the administration of 4 RM of NTG alone (FIG. 1,--0--). Likewise, the combined administration of the three components provided a significant improvement over the co-administration of 4 pM NTG with ONO-3708 (FIG. 2,--V--) which exhibited a CPP of 86% at 240 minutes and the co- administration of 4, uM NTG with L-ascorbic acid (FIG. 3,--O--) which exhibited a CPP of 76% at 240 minutes.

The synergistic composition also potentiated the effectiveness of low dosages of NTG, which provided no vasodilation when administered alone and only a slight decrease in CPP when co-administered with ONO-3708 or L-ascorbic acid. For example, the co-administration of 0.05 uM ofNTG with L-ascorbic acid and ONO- 3708 resulted a CPP of 77% five minutes after administration and 74% after 240 minutes Likewise, the co-administration of 0.1 p. M ofNTG with L-ascorbic acid and ONO-3708 resulted a CPP of 60% five minutes after administration and 59% after 240 minutes However, the administration of either 0.05 AM NTG alone (FIG. l,--1--) or 0.1 AM NTG alone (FIG. 1,----) resulted in a CPP of 100% at best. The combination of ONO-3708 and L-ascorbic acid also provided a significant improvement over the co-administration of 0.05 uM NTG or 0.1 aM NTG with either ONO-3708 (FIG 2,----and FIG. 2,--t--) or L-ascorbic acid (FIG. 3,--H--and FIG.

3,--+--) which resulted in CPP values, at best, of 91% and 88%. Likewise, only a slight decrease in CPP was observed for the co-administration of ONO-3708 and L- ascorbic acid without NTG.

TABLE 1<BR> CORONARY PERFUSION PRESSURE 0 min 1 min 2 min 3 min 5 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 60 min 120 min 240 min control 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 110 120 NTG 0.05 µM 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 109 112 NTG 0.1 µM 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 108 115 NTG 2.0 µM 100 98 97 96 98 99 100 102 104 114 115 NTG 4.0 µM 100 94 90 8 86 88 114 120 125 135 150 NTF + 10 µM ONO-3708 0.0 µM NTG 100 96 94 92 92 92 92 92 92 92 92 0.05 µM NTG 100 92 92 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 0.1 µM NTG 100 94 93 92 92 92 92 92 92 92 92 1.0 µM NTG 100 90 88 86 85 85 85 85 88 89 89 2.0 µM NTG 100 86 84 82 80 80 80 80 88 89 92 4.0 µM 100 82 81 79 79 79 79 79 85 86 86 Continuation of Table 1 0 min 1 min 2 min 3 min 5 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 60 min 120 min 240 min NTG + 100 mM L-Ascorbic Acid 0.0 µM NTG 100 98 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 0.05 µM NTG 100 94 92 91 90 89 86 88 88 88 88 0.1 µM NTG 100 93 92 91 90 89 88 88 88 88 88 1.0 µM NTG 100 90 90 88 87 86 85 83 82 82 82 2.0 µM NTG 100 86 82 81 79 78 78 78 78 78 78 4.0 µM NTG 100 87 87 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 NTG + 10 µM ONO-3708 and 10mM L-Ascorbic Acid 0.05 µM NTG 100 82 80 78 77 76 76 76 75 74 74 0.1 µM NTG 100 79 75 60 60 59 59 59 59 59 59 1.0 µM NTG 100 72 68 67 65 63 63 63 63 63 63 2.0 µM NTG 100 86 82 81 79 78 78 78 78 78 78 4.0 µM NTG 100 52 51 51 50 50 49 48 48 47 47

Comparative Example 5 Following the procedure of Example 1, the effects of classic antioxidants on the vasodilating activity of NTG were ascertained. Two antioxidant composition were used: (a) TIRON 100 a membrane permeable free radical scavenger (active component-4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid); and (b) superoxide dismutase ("SOD") a membrane impermeable free radical scavenger. 100 j. M TIRON 100 and 80 U/mL SOD were administered alone to provide a control, and were co-administered separately with 4 J. M NTG. The CPP results are listed in Table 2 below. The concentrations of TIRON 100 and SOD were selected since they are equivalents to 10 mM L-ascorbic acid in terms of free radical scavenging capacity.

The free radical scavenging capacity of these compounds was determined by measuring the concentration required to scavenge all superoxide anions generated by purine and xanthine oxidase as detected by the reduction of ferrocytochrome to ferriccytochrome (I. Fridovich, 1970, J. Biol. Chem., 245,4053-4057).

Table 2 CORONARY PERFUSION PRESSURE 0 min 1 min 2 min 3 min 5 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 60 min 120 min 240 min 100 µM Tiron Control 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 106 4 µM NTG + Tiron 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 108 115 80 U/mL SOD Control 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 104 108 4 µM NTG + SOD 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 107 120

As can be seen from Table 2, neither antioxidant provided any potentiation of NTG.

This data shows that the potentiation provided by L-ascorbic acid can be attributed to its reductive properties and not its ability to scavenge free radicals.

Example 6 Following the procedure of Example 1, the effects of non-antioxidant reducing agents in combination with thromboxane receptor antagonists on the vasodilating activity of NTG were ascertained. The CPP of hearts (n = 2) perfused with 24 mL/min coronary flow 20 minutes after the stabilization period was deemed 100% and served as the control (A). Changes in CPP were calculated as percentage from the CPP of the control. After the stabilization period, separate groups of hearts (n = 2) were perfused with an elevated flow for 10 minutes and the following drugs were administered for four hours: (B) 4 p. M NTG, (C) 100 uM NADPH (reducing agent), (D) 4 uM NTG and 100, uM NADPH, (E) 10 uM ONO-3708, and (F) 4 aM NTG, 100 uM NADPH, and 10 , M ONO-3708. The NADPH concentration of 100 uM correlates intravenous dosage of about 642 p. g/kg. The changes in the CPP were monitored and the CPP values 3 minutes after administration are shown in FIG. 5.

From FIG. 5, it is readily apparent that the co-administration of a thromboxane receptor antagonist, ONO-3708, and a non-antioxidant reducing agent, NADPH, are effective in potentiating the vasodilating activity of organic nitrates such as NTG. For example, 4 uM NTG administered alone (B) resulted in a CPP of 87%.

NADPH administered alone (C) resulted in a CPP of 85 %. ONO-3708 administered alone (E) resulted in a CPP of 82 %. However, when the NTG was co-administered with NADPH and ONO-3708 (F), a CPP of 25 % resulted. This dramatic drop in CPP illustrates the synergistic potentiation of organic nitrates such as NTG using thromboxane receptor antagonists and reducing agents. Moreover, the reduced levels were maintained for the remainder of the experiment. Similar results were obtained with sodium dithionate (1 mM) and sodium pyruvate (10 mM).

Example 7 Following the procedure of Example 6, the effects on the vasodilating activity of NTG by co-administering the thromboxane receptor antagonist Seratrodast with L-ascorbic acid were ascertained. The following compounds were perfused in separate groups of hearts (n = 2) for up to four hours: (A) no compounds-control ; (B) 4 LM NTG, (C) 50, uM Seratrodast, (D) 4 uM NTG and 50 aM Seratrodast, and (E) 4 , uM NTG, 50 u. M Seratrodast, and 10 mM L-ascorbic acid. The 50 uM Seratrodast concentration is the ICso for suppressing vasoconstriction induced with U 46619, a thromboxane A2 receptor analogue. This concentration correlates to an intravenous dosage about 900 llg/kg. CPP values after 3 minutes of administration are shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in the FIG. 6, the thromboxane receptor antagonist, Seratrodast, when combined with L-ascorbic acid synergistically potentiates the vasodilating effect of organic nitrates such as NTG. For example, 4 u. M NTG administered alone (B) resulted in a CPP of 85 %. Seratrodast administered alone (C) resulted in a CPP of 82 %. Seratrodast administered alone (D) resulted in a CPP of 77 %. However, when the NTG was co-administered with L-ascorbic acid and Seratrodast (E), a CPP of 43 % resulted. These reduced CPP values were maintained for the remainder of the experiment.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.