A method of treating a patient suffering from a disease characterized by tissue necrosis by administering to the patient a necrosis inhibitor and/or a Humanin or a derivative of Humanin is provided. The invention further includes a method for prophylactically treating a patient at risk for a pathological condition that is precipitated at least in part by tissue necrosis by administering to the patient a necrosis inhibitor and/or a Humanin or a derivative of Humanin.
