Polyol succinates and their pharmaceutical formulation

PCT No. PCT/EP97/02966 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 14, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 14, 1998 PCT Filed Jun. 4, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/47584 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 18, 1997Compounds of general formula (I) in which Y and Q are the same or different and are hydrogen atoms or C1-6 alkyl groups, optionally substituted by 1-4 hydroxy or 1-4 R3O2CCH2CH2CO2- groups, where R3 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group which may be straight or branched and saturated or unsaturated, and R1 and R2 are the same or different and are C1-6 alkyl groups, which may be straight or branched and saturated or unsaturated, and solvates and prodrugs of these compounds and the salts of compounds in which R3 is a hydrogen atom. These compounds can be used in the treatment of diseases caused by or resulting in metabolic dysfunction and/or energy deprivation, such as diabetes, acute starvation, endotoxemia, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple orgen dysfunction syndrome.