Methods for increasing
blood flow and / or regenerating tissue using compounds which bind to the
chemokine receptor CXCR4 are disclosed. Preferred embodiments of such compounds are of the formula Z-
linker-Z′) wherein Z is a cyclic
polyamine containing 9-32 ring members of which 2-8 are
nitrogen atoms, said
nitrogen atoms separated from each other by at least 2 carbon atoms, and wherein said heterocycle may optionally contain additional heteroatoms besides
nitrogen and / or may be fused to an additional ring
system; or Z is of the formula (I) wherein A comprises a monocyclic or bicyclic fused ring
system containing at least one N and B is H or an organic
moiety of 1-20 atoms; Z′ may be embodied in a form as defined by Z above, or alternatively may be of the formula —N(R)—(CR2)n-X wherein each R is independently H or straight, branched or cyclic
alkyl (1-6C), n is 1 or 2, and X is an aromatic ring, including heteroaromatic rings, or is a mercaptan; or Z is of the formula —Ar(Y)j; wherein Ar is an aromatic or heteroaromatic
moiety, and each Y is independently a non-interfering
substituent and j is 0-3; “
linker” represents a bond, alkylene (1-6C) or may comprise
aryl, fused
aryl,
oxygen atoms contained in an alkylene chain, or may contain keto groups or nitrogen or
sulfur atoms.