Phenyl Butyl Nitrone Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Oxidative Tissue Damage

Compositions for treating tissue damage from ischemia contain PBN, or active derivatives thereof, which are active during ischemia in preventing ATP depletion of the cells which predisposes them to subsequent injury during reperfusion, and which are active during reperfusion as oxygen radical scavengers, in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier for systemic or local administration, especially to the CNS, spinal column and eyes. Based on animal studies, the dosage for treating damage due to stroke is in the range of 10 to 300 mg/kg. Similar dosages are useful in treating damage resulting from free radical generation during inflammation, either as a product of infection or exposure to inflammatory agents or abusive agents, including drugs and alcohol