USE OF OXYGENATING AGENTS TO ENHANCE HOST RESPONSES TO INFECTIONS AND TO IMPROVE THE IN VIVO EFFICACY OF ANTIMICROBIALS

摘要

Oxygenating agents are used in the present invention for the novel purpose of treating microbial infections. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the increase in tissue pO2 produced thereby can enhance the efficacy of the body's own antimicrobial defenses (including tissue repair), while also improving the efficacy of adjunctive agents that may be co-administered, such as antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, cytokine modulators, endotoxin antagonists and growth factors. The oxygenating agents of the present invention achieve the desired increased pO2 in the tissues without having to resort to the risks and expenses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). The oxygenating agents can be administered systemically, regionally, or topically.