FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method for
treating non-rheumatoid arthritis. More specifically, the present
invention is directed to a method for treating the symptoms of various
forms of non-rheumatoid arthritis in mammals by administering either
orally, topically, or parenterally a therapeutic effective amount of
cetyl myristoleate to the subject mammal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Arthritis is a disease which affects approximately
1 in 7 Americans and which actually encompasses more than one hundred
different diseases frequently having entirely different symptoms,
causes, and known treatments. Literally, the word arthritis means joint
inflammation but has come to encompass disorders that affect not only
the joints but other connective tissue of the body including supporting
structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments as well as the
protective coverings of internal organs. Although, as already noted,
there are over one hundred different forms of arthritis, some of the
most commonly occurring forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatic fever, and gout.
In my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,824 and
4,113,881, I describe a method for immunizing against rheumatoid
arthritis as well as a method for relieving its symptoms. Rheumatoid
arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause in which
the joints become inflamed, painful, swollen, and later deformed. In
addition, there may be general symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and
loss of appetite. The disease tends to be both chronic and irregular and
can be severely disabling.
The aforementioned earlier patents of mine,
however, do not address or suggest that the described treatments using
cetyl myristoleate could be employed effectively to treat the many other
diseases which fall under the general heading of arthritis but which
have entirely different causes, symptoms, and known treatments.
The most common form of arthritis is
osteoarthritis which is a degenerative joint disease which primarily
affects cartilage that covers and cushions the ends of the bones causing
it to fray, wear, ulcerate, and in extreme cases, to disappear entirely
leaving a bone on bone joint. The disease can result in severe
disability particularly in the weight bearing joints such as the knees,
hips, and spine. Osteoarthritis is distinguishable, for example, from
rheumatoid arthritis in that osteoarthritis involves little or no
inflammation and is confined to the joints and surrounding tissue where
there is a breakdown or disintegration of cartilage and other tissue
thereby making it difficult for the joints to operate properly.
The occurrence of osteoarthritis frequently
increases with advancing years. When all ages are considered, men are as
frequently affected as women. But in people under age 45, more than
twice as many men as women have it and between 55 and 65 more women than
men have it. In the above 65 group, there is hardly any difference in
the incidence of occurrence.
Accordingly, there is a substantial need for an
effective, relatively inexpensive, and easy to administer treatment for
forms of arthritis which are non-inflammatory and non-rheumatoid such as
the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, as well as the many
other forms of the disease which occur. It is therefore an object of the
present invention to provide a methodology for treating non-rheumatoid
arthritis effectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention,
non-rheumatoid arthritis, and especially osteoarthritis, is effectively
treated by administering to the afflicted subject a therapeutically
effective amount of cetyl myristoleate. The administration of cetyl
myristoleate in accordance with the present invention can be
accomplished either orally, topically, or parenterally. Depending upon
the mode of application, various carriers can be employed to facilitate
transport of the cetyl myristoleate into the subject's body. For
example, the cetyl myristoleate can be administered topically to the
afflicted area in a carrier which is absorbed through the skin such as
dimethyl sulfoxide. The cetyl myristoleate, which is normally a liquid
at about room temperature, can also be injected. Cetyl myristoleate can
also be administered orally in accordance with the present invention in
capsules which can, for example, contain one ml. of cetyl myristoleate.
It will be understood, however, that the amount of
cetyl myristoleate which is therapeutically effective for particular
individuals will depend upon a number of factors including the body
weight and condition of the subject, the severity of the form of
non-rheumatoid arthritis being treated in accordance with the present
invention, the mode of administration of the cetyl myristoleate, and
most importantly, the individuals response to the medication. Typically,
however, cetyl myristoleate is effectively administered in amount of
0.05 to 0.075 grams per each 140 to 200 grams of body weight. Generally
also individuals respond within 3 to 6 weeks time to the cetyl
myristoleate so that prolonged dosage with the compound has not proven
to be necessary.
EXAMPLE I
12 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide solution containing 1
gram of cetyl myristoleate were administered twice daily for 10 days
topically to the hands of an approximately 80 year old male diagnosed as
suffering pain in his hands and knees due to osteoarthritis. A dramatic
decrease in this pain resulted in 3 to 5 weeks and the individual
continued to experience relief from this pain for about four years
without requiring further application of medication.
EXAMPLE II
A 250 pound, age 75 year old male diagnosed as
suffering from osteoarthritis received four 1 cc capsules of cetyl
myristoleate orally, twice with about a two month interval between the
dosages. The result was at least a 75% alleviation of pain in the
afflicted joints. Only minimal pain persisted following medication in
the lower back and hips with the knees, elbows and other joints being
almost completely pain free.
EXAMPLE III
A female suffering severe back pain from
osteoarthritis applied a 10% solution of cetyl myristoleate in dimethyl
sulfoxide topically twice a day until a total of 11 cc had been used.
Approximately 90% of the back pain relieved within about a week.
EXAMPLE IV
A 48 year old male suffering from severe
osteoarthritis received two 1 c.c injections of liquified cetyl
myristoleate at about a two year interval. Prior medication had resulted
only in limited relief of the pain resulting from the osteoarthritis.
Almost total and persistent relief of pain followed each of the cetyl
myristoleate injections.
EXAMPLE V
A 72 year old male diagnosed as having
osteoarthritis took three capsules, each containing 1 cc of cetyl
myristoleate, followed five months latter by four more of the same
capsules. His osteoarthritis was alleviated sufficiently that he was
able to discontinue other arthritis medication and resume playing the
guitar.
EXAMPLE VI
A 65 year old female suffering from osteoarthritis
received four capsules containing 1 cc each of cetyl myristoleate
orally. She experienced complete recovery from the osteoarthritis within
a short time of taking the medication.
