STABILIZED FGF COMPOSITION

摘要

Methods for stabilizing fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in heat, acid and/or proteolytic environments are provided. Such methods comprise combining or otherwise complexing FGF with a salt of sucrose octasulfate (SOS) and in particular with the aluminum (sucralfate) or potassium salts thereof. The present invention also provides FGF-stable compositions comprising SOS and FGF. Such compositions can be used in the treatment of FGF-responsive diseases including the treatment of wounds and ulcerative conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. The present invention also provides various diagnostic protocols employing SOS as well as diagnostic kits with SOS as a component thereof. Finally, the present invention provides methods of purifying FGF with SOS.