Development of Compounds for the Prevention and Treatment of Rhabdomyolysis

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this Phase I STTR project is to establish the feasibility of developing a small-molecule therapeutic agent designed to prevent rhabdomyolysis-induced renal failure. Rhabdomyolysis accounts for 7% to 10% of cases of renal failure in the US. Rhabdomyolysis results from muscle injury that leads to the release of myoglobin, which is then deposited in the kidney. Acute renal injury and renal failure results. Often caused by crush injuries such as those thatoccur with earthquakes, explosive injuries (especially to military personnel) and other trauma, rhabdomyolysis also can result from hyperthermia, seizures, muscle ischemia, coma, or statin-induced myopathy. No effective means currently exist to prevent thekidney failure that results from rhabdomyolysis. Myoglobin deposited in the kidney undergoes redox cycling, generating radicals that produce lipid peroxidation-the products of which cause vasoconstriction and tubular necrosis. Consequently, the VDDI STTR