This invention relates to a method of treating certain disorders by administering a compound of the formula 1 ##STR00001## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R.sup.1 is hydrogen, straight or branched alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or phenyl; and R.sup.2 is straight or branched alkyl of from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, straight or branched alkenyl of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, -alkylcycloalkyl, -alkylalkoxy, -alkyl OH, -alkylphenyl, -alkylphenoxy, or -substituted phenyl. The invention also relates to a method of treating the above disorders by administering the compound (3S,5R)-3-aminomethyl-5-methyl-octanoic acid.