US20130143797A1 - Glycoproteins Having Lipid Mobilizing Properties an Therapeutic Uses Thereof - Google Patents

Glycoproteins Having Lipid Mobilizing Properties an Therapeutic Uses Thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20130143797A1
US20130143797A1 US13/805,190 US201113805190A US2013143797A1 US 20130143797 A1 US20130143797 A1 US 20130143797A1 US 201113805190 A US201113805190 A US 201113805190A US 2013143797 A1 US2013143797 A1 US 2013143797A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
zag
formulation
mice
glucose
expression
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/805,190
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michael J. Tisdale
Steven Russell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aston University
Original Assignee
Aston University
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aston University filed Critical Aston University
Priority to US13/805,190 priority Critical patent/US20130143797A1/en
Assigned to ASTON UNIVERSITY reassignment ASTON UNIVERSITY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: RUSSELL, STEVEN, TISDALE, MICHAEL J.
Publication of US20130143797A1 publication Critical patent/US20130143797A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
    • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
    • C07K14/4701—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals not used
    • C07K14/473—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals not used alpha-Glycoproteins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
    • A23L33/17—Amino acids, peptides or proteins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/13—Amines
    • A61K31/135—Amines having aromatic rings, e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline
    • A61K31/137—Arylalkylamines, e.g. amphetamine, epinephrine, salbutamol, ephedrine or methadone
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/13—Amines
    • A61K31/135—Amines having aromatic rings, e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline
    • A61K31/138—Aryloxyalkylamines, e.g. propranolol, tamoxifen, phenoxybenzamine
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/1703—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
    • A61K38/1709—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/1703—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
    • A61K38/1709—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
    • A61K38/1741—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals alpha-Glycoproteins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/22—Hormones
    • A61K38/26—Glucagons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/22—Hormones
    • A61K38/28—Insulins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K45/00—Medicinal preparations containing active ingredients not provided for in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
    • A61K45/06—Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
    • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
    • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
    • A61K47/56—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule
    • A61K47/59—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyureas or polyurethanes
    • A61K47/60—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyureas or polyurethanes the organic macromolecular compound being a polyoxyalkylene oligomer, polymer or dendrimer, e.g. PEG, PPG, PEO or polyglycerol
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
    • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
    • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
    • A61K47/56—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule
    • A61K47/61—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule the organic macromolecular compound being a polysaccharide or a derivative thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
    • A61K9/0014—Skin, i.e. galenical aspects of topical compositions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
    • A61K9/0043—Nose
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
    • A61K9/0053—Mouth and digestive tract, i.e. intraoral and peroral administration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P11/00—Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P13/00—Drugs for disorders of the urinary system
    • A61P13/12—Drugs for disorders of the urinary system of the kidneys
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P19/00—Drugs for skeletal disorders
    • A61P19/02—Drugs for skeletal disorders for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P21/00—Drugs for disorders of the muscular or neuromuscular system
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P21/00—Drugs for disorders of the muscular or neuromuscular system
    • A61P21/04—Drugs for disorders of the muscular or neuromuscular system for myasthenia gravis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A61P3/04—Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A61P3/06—Antihyperlipidemics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A61P3/08—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism for glucose homeostasis
    • A61P3/10—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism for glucose homeostasis for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/04—Antibacterial agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/12—Antivirals
    • A61P31/14—Antivirals for RNA viruses
    • A61P31/18—Antivirals for RNA viruses for HIV
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P43/00—Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P5/00—Drugs for disorders of the endocrine system
    • A61P5/48—Drugs for disorders of the endocrine system of the pancreatic hormones
    • A61P5/50—Drugs for disorders of the endocrine system of the pancreatic hormones for increasing or potentiating the activity of insulin
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P7/00—Drugs for disorders of the blood or the extracellular fluid
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P9/00—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
    • A61P9/04—Inotropic agents, i.e. stimulants of cardiac contraction; Drugs for heart failure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to medicinal formulations and supplements, and more particularly, to formulations and methods for altering the metabolism of a subject, as well as ameliorating disorders such as cachexia, obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance.
  • BMI body mass index
  • Overweight and obesity are associated with increasing the risk of developing many chronic diseases of aging seen in the U.S.
  • Such co-morbidities include type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart diseases and dyslipidemia, gallstones and cholecystectomy, osteoarthritis, cancer (of the breast, colon, endometrial, prostate, and gallbladder), and sleep apnea. It is estimated that there are around 325,000 deaths annually that are attributable to obesity. The key to reducing the severity of the diseases is to lose weight effectively. Although about 30 to 40% claim to be trying to lose weight or maintain lost weight, current therapies appear not to be working.
  • Cachexia is wasting of both adipose and skeletal muscle mass caused by disease. It occurs in many conditions and is common with many cancers when remission or control fails. Patients with advanced cancer, AIDS, and some other major chronic progressive diseases may appear cachectic. Cachexia can occur in people who are eating enough, but who cannot absorb the nutrients. While cachexia may be mediated by certain cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor- ⁇ , IL-1b, and IL-6, which are produced by tumor cells and host cells in the tissue mass, there is currently no widely accepted treatment for cachexia.
  • Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality.
  • Chronically elevated blood glucose leads to debilitating complications: nephropathy, often necessitating dialysis or renal transplant; peripheral neuropathy; retinopathy leading to blindness; ulceration of the legs and feet, leading to amputation; fatty liver disease, sometimes progressing to cirrhosis; and vulnerability to coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.
  • Type I diabetes insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreatic islets The onset of this disease is usually in childhood or adolescence.
  • Treatment consists primarily of multiple daily injections of insulin, combined with frequent testing of blood glucose levels to guide adjustment of insulin doses, because excess insulin can cause hypoglycemia and consequent impairment of brain and other functions.
  • Increasing scrutiny is being given to the role of insulin resistance to the genesis, progression, and therapeutic management of this type of diabetic disease.
  • Type II, or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus typically develops in adulthood.
  • NIDDM is associated with resistance of glucose-utilizing tissues like adipose tissue, muscle, and liver, to the actions of insulin.
  • the pancreatic islet beta cells compensate by secreting excess insulin.
  • Eventual islet failure results in decompensation and chronic hyperglycemia.
  • moderate islet insufficiency can precede or coincide with peripheral insulin resistance.
  • NIDDM neurodegenerative disease 2019
  • insulin releasers which directly stimulate insulin release, carrying the risk of hypoglycemia
  • prandial insulin releasers which potentiate glucose-induced insulin secretion, and must be taken before each meal
  • biguanides including metformin, which attenuate hepatic gluconeogenesis (which is paradoxically elevated in diabetes)
  • insulin sensitizers for example the thiazolidinedione derivatives rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, which improve peripheral responsiveness to insulin, but which have side effects like weight gain, edema, and occasional liver toxicity
  • insulin injections which are often necessary in the later stages of NIDDM when the islets have failed under chronic hyperstimulation.
  • Insulin resistance can also occur without marked hyperglycemia, and is generally associated with atherosclerosis, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and essential hypertension. This cluster of abnormalities constitutes the “metabolic syndrome” or “insulin resistance syndrome”. Insulin resistance is also associated with fatty liver, which can progress to chronic inflammation (NASH; “nonalcoholic steatohepatitis”), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Cumulatively, insulin resistance syndromes, including but not limited to diabetes, underlie many of the major causes of morbidity and death of people over age 40.
  • NASH nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
  • Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein has been identified as a lipid mobilizing factor (LMF) with the potential to induce fat loss in cancer cacehxia.
  • ZAG was shown to induce lipolysis in white adipocytes by interaction with a ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor, while in vivo it increased expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT), and induced loss of body fat.
  • UCP-1 uncoupling protein-1
  • BAT brown adipose tissue
  • ZAG is also produced by white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT and its expression is upregulated in cachexia.
  • ZAG expression in adipose tissue of obese humans was only 30% of that found in non-obese subjects.
  • the present invention is based in part on the finding that Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein has an effect on body weight and insulin responsiveness in adult obese hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mice and mature Wistar rats, and that anti-ZAG antibodies prevent weight loss in cachexia situations.
  • Such a finding is useful in methods for moderating body weight, improving insulin responsiveness or ameliorating the symptoms associated with cachexia or diseases associated with muscle wasting.
  • the present invention provides a formulation comprising a zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG), a ZAG variant, a modified ZAG, or a functional fragment thereof
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • the ZAG is mammalian, e.g., human, and may include the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • the ZAG peptide may conjugated to a non-protein polymer.
  • the ZAG peptide may be sialylated, PEGylated or modified to increase solubility or stability.
  • the ZAG peptide may be recombinant or synthetic.
  • the ZAG peptide may be modified ZAG and include the wild-type ZAG amino acid sequence with one or more mutations to the amino acid sequence selected from deletions, additions or conservative substitutions.
  • the ZAG peptide may include one or more of a leader sequence and a trailing sequence.
  • the ZAG peptide may also be glycosylated, e.g., as a result of a posttranslational modification.
  • the formulation may further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the formulation may also include one or more agents including a ⁇ 3 agonist and ⁇ -adrenergic receptor ( ⁇ -AR) antagonist, such as a ⁇ 2-adrenergic receptor ( ⁇ 2-AR) antagonist, a ⁇ 1-adrenergic receptor ( ⁇ 1-AR) antagonist, and a ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor ( ⁇ 3-AR) antagonist.
  • ⁇ -AR ⁇ -adrenergic receptor
  • the formulation of claim 1 may further include a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or an analog thereof.
  • the invention provides a foodstuff additive or nutritional supplement including the formulation of the invention as described herein.
  • the invention provides a method for delivering a formulation to a mammalian subject, the method including administering to the mammalian subject the formulation as described herein.
  • the invention provides a method for delivering a zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG) to a mammalian subject, the method including delivering to the subject by oral administration the formulation as described herein.
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • the invention provides a method for orally delivering a zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG) to a mammalian subject in mega doses similar to that of mega dosed oral insulin requiring systemic absorption of administered ZAG as described herein.
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • the invention provides a method for orally delivering a zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG) to a mammalian subject in surprisingly effective low doses similar to that of intravenous administration of ZAG and in formulations surprisingly not requiring systemic absorption of administered ZAG as described herein.
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • the invention provides a method for increasing a subject's endogenous level of a zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG), the method including administering to the subject the formulation as described herein.
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • the present invention further provides a method of ameliorating symptoms of cachexia in a subject.
  • the method includes administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective dosage of an inhibitor of the biological activity of a polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, resulting in an amelioration of symptoms associated with cachexia following treatment.
  • the inhibitor is a monoclonal antibody that binds a polypeptide that comprises a sequence at least 80% homologous to the polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • the treatment includes daily administration for 10 days.
  • the inhibitor is administered daily, every other day, every 2 days, or every 3 days, for up to 10 days or longer.
  • the antibody is administered twice daily.
  • the antibody may be administered intravenously, subcutaneously, sublingually, intranasally, orally, or via inhalation.
  • the inhibitor is administered in combination with one or more agents selected from the group consisting of a ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor ( ⁇ 3-AR) antagonist.
  • ⁇ 3-AR ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor
  • the ⁇ 3-AR antagonist is SR59230A.
  • the antibody is glycosylated.
  • the agent that inhibits the homologous polypeptide is a non-antibody agent, for example but not limited to, an aptamer.
  • the present invention provides a method of treating a subject to bring about reduction in weight loss.
  • the method includes administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective dosage of an inhibitor of the polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 in combination with one or more agents selected from the group consisting of a ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor ( ⁇ 3-AR) antagonist.
  • the inhibitor is a monoclonal antibody that binds a polypeptide that comprises a sequence at least 80% homologous to the polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • the ⁇ 3-AR antagonist is SR59230A.
  • the antibody is glycosylated.
  • the agent that inhibits the homologous polypeptide is a non-antibody agent, for example but not limited to, an aptamer.
  • the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody, or functional fragment thereof, that binds the polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and an agent selected from the group consisting of a ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor ( ⁇ 3-AR) antagonist and a ⁇ 3 antagonist.
  • ⁇ 3-AR ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor
  • the ⁇ 3-AR antagonist is SR59230A.
  • the antibody is glycosylated.
  • a nutritional supplement formulation of the invention can include zinc- ⁇ 2-glycoprotein (ZAG) or a functional fragment thereof.
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2-glycoprotein
  • the disclosure also provides materials such as kits that include one or more nutritional supplement formulations, such as nutritional supplement formulations that include ZAG or functional fragments thereof.
  • the disclosure provides a method of delivery of an orally administered therapeutic agent, including administering a ⁇ 3 agonist in combination with the orally administered therapeutic agent.
  • formulations, kits, and methods herein can be useful for improving a human's health and/or to promote weight loss, or independent of weight loss, improve insulin resistance and reduce hyperglycemia. These formulations, kits and methods may therefore find use in the treatment of diseases associated with obesity and/or hyperglycemia.
  • the invention provides a food stuff that includes the formulation of the invention in combination with a consumable carrier.
  • exemplary consumable carriers include, but are not limited to cookies, brownies, crackers, breakfast bars, energy bars, cereals, cakes, breads, beverages, meat products, and meat substitute products.
  • the invention provides a method of supplementing a human diet.
  • the method includes ingesting formulation that includes zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG) or a functional fragment thereof.
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • the ZAG is mammalian, such as the human ZAG polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof.
  • the method may be performed daily for 10 days.
  • the formulation is ingested daily, every other day, every 2 days, or every 3 days, for up to 10 days or longer.
  • the formulation is ingested twice daily.
  • the formulation is ingested in combination with one or more agents selected from the group consisting of a ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor ( ⁇ 3-AR) agonist and a ⁇ AR agonist and a ⁇ 3-AR antagonist.
  • ⁇ 3-AR ⁇ 3-adrenergic receptor
  • the ⁇ 3-AR antagonist is SR59230A.
  • ⁇ 3-AR agonist is AMNI-BRL37344 (BRL37344).
  • the formulation is ingested or delivered in combination with one or more agents used to improve glycemic control whether sequentially in any order or in parallel.
  • the glycemic control agent is insulin or any derivative or analog thereof.
  • the glycemic control agent is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or any derivative or analog thereof.
  • the invention provides a method of delivery of an orally administered therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is delivered in combination with a ⁇ 3 agonist.
  • the ⁇ 3 agonist and the therapeutic agent are delivered simultaneously.
  • the ⁇ 3 agonist is administered prior to or following administration of the therapeutic agent.
  • the therapeutic agent is ZAG.
  • the therapeutic agent includes atrial natriuretic peptides, brain natriuretic peptides, platelet aggregation inhibitors, streptokinase, heparin, urokinase, renin inhibitors, insulin, antibiotics, and sleep inducing peptide.
  • the present invention provides a method of treating a subject to bring about a weight reduction or reduction in obesity.
  • the method includes administering to the subject in need of such treatment a nutritional supplement formulation that includes a therapeutically effective dosage of a polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof.
  • the invention provides a method of monitoring zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG) activity in a mammalian subject.
  • the method includes: a) orally administering the subject the formulation of the invention; and b) detecting the level of ZAG activity; thereby monitoring ZAG activity in the subject.
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • FIG. 1A is a pictorial diagram showing characterization of ZAG and its effect on lipolysis and body weight of ob/ob mice. Coomassie staining after 12% SDS-PAGE showing total proteins in 293 cell media and ZAG purified as described.
  • FIG. 1B is a pictorial diagram showing the results of a Western blot showing expression of ZAG in culture medium and purified ZAG.
  • FIG. 1C is a graphical diagram showing ZAG mRNA levels in adipose tissue and liver tissue in MAC16 mice undergoing weight loss. P ⁇ 0.01.
  • FIG. 1D is a graphical diagram showing the results of lipolysis in epididymal adipocytes from non-obese ( ⁇ ) and ob/ob mice ( ⁇ ) in response to isoprenaline (Iso) and ZAG. Differences from non-obese mice are shown as *p ⁇ 0.05, **p ⁇ 0.01 and ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 1E is a graphical diagram showing the results of lipolysis in adipocytes from epididymal (ep), subcutaneous (s.c.) and visceral (vis) deposits from obese (ob/ob) and non-obese (non ob) mice with either no treatment ( ⁇ ), isoprenaline (10 ⁇ M) ( ⁇ ) or ZAG (0.46 ⁇ M) ( ). Differences from epididymal adipocytes are shown as **p ⁇ 0.01.
  • FIG. 1F is a graphical diagram showing the effect of ZAG ( ⁇ ) on body weight of ob/ob mice in comparison with PBS ( ⁇ ) as described in the methods. Differences in weight form time zero and PBS controls are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 1G is a graphical diagram showing the effect of ZAG ( ⁇ ) on body temperature of the mice shown in e in comparison with PBS controls ( ⁇ ). Differences from control are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 2A is a graphical diagram showing glucose tolerance of ob/ob mice treated with ZAG.
  • FIG. 2B is a graphical diagram showing plasma insulin levels in ob/ob mice treated with ZAG after oral administration of glucose (1 g/kg). p ⁇ 0.001 from PBS.
  • FIG. 2C is a graphical diagram showing glucose uptake into epididymal (ep), visceral (vis) and subcutaneous (s.c.) adipocytes of ob/ob mice treated with ZAG for 5 days in the presence of 0 ( ⁇ ), 1( ⁇ ) or 10 nM insulin ( ). Differences in the presence of ZAG are indicated as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 2D is a graphical diagram showing uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose into gastrocnemius muscle of ob/ob mice treated with either ZAG or PBS for 5 days in the absence or presence of insulin (100 nM). Differences in the presence of insulin are shown as *p ⁇ 0.05 or **p ⁇ 0.01, while differences in the presence of ZAG are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 2E is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on the expression of GLUT4 glucose transporter in skeletal musclein of ob/ob mice. After treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days skeletal muscle was removed and Western blotted for expression of GLUT4.
  • FIG. 3A is a graphical diagram showing the effect of ZAG on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice. After treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days skeletal muscle was removed and used for the measurement of protein synthesis. Differences from PBS controls, or non-obese animals are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 3B is a graphical diagram showing the effect of ZAG on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice. After treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days skeletal muscle was removed and used for the measurement of protein degradation. Differences from PBS controls, or non-obese animals are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 3C is a graphical diagram showing the effect of ZAG on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice. After treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days skeletal muscle was removed and used for the measurement of chymotrypsin-like enzyme activity. Differences from PBS controls, or non-obese animals are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 3D is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice. After treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days skeletal muscle was removed and Western blotted for expression of 20S-proteasome ⁇ -subunits.
  • FIG. 3E is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on signaling pathwasy in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice. After treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days skeletal muscle was removed and Western blotted for expression of p42.
  • FIG. 3F is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice. After treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days skeletal muscle was removed and Western blotted for expression of myosin.
  • FIG. 3G is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice. After treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days skeletal muscle was removed and Western blotted for expression of actin as a control.
  • FIG. 4A is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on catabolic signaling pathways in skeletal muscle by Western blotting of phospho PKR in gastrocnemius muscle of ob/ob mice after treatment with either PBS or ZAG for 5 days.
  • the total forms of the proteins serve as loading controls. Differences from PBS controls are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001 while differences from non-obese mice are shown as # p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 4B is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on catabolic signaling pathways in skeletal muscle by Western blotting of phospho eIF2a in gastrocnemius muscle of ob/ob mice after treatment with either PBS or ZAG for 5 days.
  • the total forms of the proteins serve as loading controls. Differences from PBS controls are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001 while differences from non-obese mice are shown as # p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 4C is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on catabolic signaling pathways in skeletal muscle by Western blotting of phospho PLA 2 in gastrocnemius muscle of ob/ob mice after treatment with either PBS or ZAG for 5 days.
  • the total forms of the proteins serve as loading controls. Differences from PBS controls are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001 while differences from non-obese mice are shown as # p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 4D is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on catabolic signaling pathways in skeletal muscle by Western blotting of phospho p38MAPK in gastrocnemius muscle of ob/ob mice after treatment with either PBS or ZAG for 5 days.
  • the total forms of the proteins serve as loading controls. Differences from PBS controls are shown as *** p ⁇ 0.001 while differences from non-obese mice are shown as # p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 4E is a graphical diagram showing the effect of ZAG on catabolic signaling pathways in skeletal muscle by activity of caspase-3 ( ⁇ ) and caspase-8 ( ⁇ ) in gastrocnemius muscle of ob/ob mice after treatment with either PBS or ZAG for 5 days.
  • FIG. 5A is a pictorial diagram showing expression of HSL in response to ZAG.
  • Western blots show expression of phospho HSL in adipocytes of non-obese mice 3 h after no treatment (Con), or treatment with isoprenaline (10 mM) or ZAG (0.46 ⁇ M) alone, or in the presence of PD98059 (25 ⁇ M) after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5B is a pictorial diagram showing expression of HSL by immunoblotting in epididymal (ep) adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5C is a pictorial diagram showing expression of HSL by immunoblotting in subcutaneous (sc) adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5D is a pictorial diagram showing expression of HSL by immunoblotting in visceral (vis) adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5E is a pictorial diagram showing expression of ATGL in epididymal adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5F is a pictorial diagram showing expression of ATGL in subcutaneous adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5G is a pictorial diagram showing expression of ATGL in visceral adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5H is a pictorial diagram showing expression of pERK in epididymal adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5I is a pictorial diagram showing expression of pERK in subcutaneous adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5J is a pictorial diagram showing expression of pERK in visceral adipocytes after 5 days treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 5K is a graphical diagram showing the response of adipocytes from epididymal (ep), subcutaneous (sc) and visceral (vis) deposits from ob/ob mice treated with either PBS or ZAG for 5 days to the lipolytic effect of BRL37344. Differences from PBS controls are indicated as ***p ⁇ 0.01, while differences in the presence of PD98059 is shown as # p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 6A is a pictorial diagram showing the Effect of treatment of ob/ob mice for 5 days with ZAG on the expression of ZAG in WAT.
  • Western blot showing expression of ZAG in ep, sc, and vis adipocytes.
  • Day 0 represents the day the adipocytes were removed from the mice.
  • FIG. 6B is a pictorial diagram showing expression of ZAG in epididymal adipocytes that were suspended in RMPI medium as described in methods. The samples were then taken out at daily intervals and Western blotted for ZAG expression. Day 0 represents the day the adipocytes were removed from the mice.
  • FIG. 6C is a pictorial diagram showing expression of HSL in epididymal adipocytes that were suspended in RMPI medium as described in methods. The samples were then taken out at daily intervals and Western blotted for HSL expression. Day 0 represents the day the adipocytes were removed from the mice.
  • FIG. 6D is a pictorial diagram showing expression of UCP1 in BAT removed from mice. Differences from PBS treated mice are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 6E is a pictorial diagram showing expression of UCP3 in BAT removed from mice. Differences from PBS treated mice are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 6F is a pictorial diagram showing expression of UCP3 in gastrocnemius muscle removed from mice. Differences from PBS treated mice are shown as ***p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 7A is a graphical diagram showing weight loss of the ob/ob mice during the 21 day study.
  • ZAG was injected at days 1, 4, 5, 8, 13, 16, 18, and 19; PBS was injected at the same time points.
  • FIG. 7B is a graphical diagram showing weight change (g) of the ob/ob mice (weight 80-90 g) during treatment with ZAG.
  • FIG. 7C is a graphical diagram showing increased body temperature of the ob/ob mice during the 21 day study.
  • ZAG was injected at days 1, 4, 5, 8, 13, 16, 18, and 19; PBS was injected at the same time points.
  • FIG. 8A is a graphical diagram showing a progressive decrease in urinary glucose excretion during the first 5 days of treatment.
  • FIG. 8B is a graphical diagram showing a progressive decrease in urinary glucose excretion during the 21 day study.
  • FIG. 9 is a graphical diagram showing glycerol release stimulated by isoprenaline (iso) isolated adipocytes which have been in culture up to 5 days from ob mice treated with and without ZAG.
  • FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram showing the complete amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) of the human plasma Zn- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein, as published by T. Araki et al. (1988) “Complete amino acid sequence of human plasma Zn- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein and its homology to histocompatibility antigens.”
  • FIG. 11 is a graphical diagram showing lipolytic activity of human ZAG in isolated rat epididymal adipocytes, compared with isoprenaline (10 ⁇ M) in the absence or presence of SR59230A (10 ⁇ M) or anti-ZAG antibody (1:1000) (IgG). Each value is an average of 5 separate studies. Differences from control are shown as b, p ⁇ 0.01 or c, p ⁇ 0.001, while differences from ZAG alone are indicated as e, p ⁇ 0.01 or f, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 12A is a graphical diagram showing the effect of daily i.v. administration of ither ZAG (50 ⁇ g/100 g b.w.) in 100 ⁇ l PBS ( ⁇ ) or PBS alone ( ⁇ ) on body weight of male Wistar rats over a 10 day period.
  • the protocol for the experiment is given in the methods section.
  • FIG. 12B is a graphical diagram showing the body temperature of male Wistar rats administered either ZAG ( ⁇ ) or PBS ( ⁇ ) as described in FIG. 12A .
  • FIG. 12C is a graphical diagram showing the uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose into epididymal adipocytes of male Wistar rats after 10 days treatment with either ZAG (open box) or PBS (closed box) for 10 days, as shown in FIG. 12A , in the absence or presence of insulin (60 ⁇ U/ml).
  • FIG. 12D is a graphical diagram showing glucose uptake into gastrocnemius muscle and BAT of male Wistar rats after 10 days treatment with either ZAG or PBS, in the absence or presence of insulin (60 ⁇ U/ml). Differences between ZAG and PBS treated animals are shown as a, p ⁇ 0.05, b, p ⁇ 0.01 or c, p ⁇ 0.001, while differences in the presence of insulin are shown as or f, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 12E is a graphical diagraph showing tissue Rg in ob/ob mice administered ZAG. c, p ⁇ 0.001 from PBS.
  • FIGS. 13A-13C are pictorial diagrams of Western blots showing expression of GLUT4 in BAT ( FIG. 13A ) and WAT ( FIG. 13B ) and gastrocnemius muscle ( FIG. 13C ) of male Wistar rats treated with either PBS or ZAG for 10 days as shown in FIG. 12 . Differences between ZAG and PBS treated animals are shown as c, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIGS. 14A and 14B are pictorial diagrams of Western blots showing expression of UCP1 and UCP3 in BAT ( FIG. 14A ) and WAT ( FIG. 14B ) of male Wistar rats treated with either PBS or ZAG for 10 days as shown in FIG. 12 . Differences between ZAG and PBS treated animals are shown as c, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIGS. 15A and 15B are pictorial diagrams of Western blots showing expression of ATGL ( FIG. 15A ) and HSL ( FIG. 15B ) in epididymal adipose tissue of male Wistar rats treated with either PBS or ZAG for 10 days as shown in FIG. 12 . Differences between ZAG and PBS treated animals are shown as c, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIGS. 16A-16C are pictorial diagrams of Western blots showing expression of ZAG in gastrocnemius muscle ( FIG. 16A ), WAT ( FIG. 16B ) and BAT ( FIG. 16C ). Tissues were excised from male Wistar rats treated with either PBS or ZAG for 10 days as shown in FIG. 12 . Differences between ZAG and PBS treated animals are shown as c, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIGS. 17A and 17B are pictorial diagrams of Western blots showing expression of phosphorylated and total forms of pPKR ( FIG. 17A ) and peIF2 ⁇ ( FIG. 17B ) in gastrocnemius muscle of male Wistar rats treated with either PBS or ZAG for 10 days as shown in FIG. 12 .
  • the densitometric analysis is the ratio of the phosphor to total forms, expressed as a percentage of the value for rats treated with PBS.
  • FIGS. 18A and 18B is a graphical diagram showing phenylalanine release ( FIG. 18A ) and protein synthesis ( FIG. 18B ) in C2C12 myotubes treated with and without ZAG for 4 h in the presence of various concentrations of glucose.
  • FIG. 19 is a graphical diagram showing pheylalanine release in C2C12 myotubes treated with and without ZAG in the presence of various concentrations of glucose and with and without SR59230A.
  • b P ⁇ 0.01 and c, P ⁇ 0.001 from control; e, P ⁇ 0.05 and f, P ⁇ 0.001 from glucose alone.
  • FIG. 20 is a graphical diagram showing protein synthesis in C2C12 myotubes treated with and without ZAG in the presence of various concentrations of glucose and with and without SR59230A.
  • FIG. 21 is a graphical diagram showing ROS activity in C2C12 myotubes treated with various concentrations of glucose with and without ZAG. Statistically significant c, P ⁇ 0.001 from control f, P ⁇ 0.001 from glucose alone.
  • FIG. 22A is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot showing pPKR in C2C12 myotubes treated with glucose with and without ZAG. Statistically significant c, P ⁇ 0.001 from control f, P ⁇ 0.001 from glucose alone.
  • FIG. 22B is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot showing peIF2a in C2C12 myotubes treated with glucose with and without ZAG. Statistically significant c, P ⁇ 0.001 from control f, P ⁇ 0.001 from glucose alone.
  • FIGS. 23A and 23B are graphical diagrams showing the results of an insulin tolerance test in ob/ob mice treated with and without ZAG. Statistically significant b, P ⁇ 0.05 and c, P ⁇ 0.001 from with ZAG.
  • FIG. 24 is a graphical diagram showing the oxidation of D4U- 14 C glucose] to 14 CO 2 in ob/ob mice.
  • FIG. 25 is a graphical diagram showing production of 14 CO 2 from [ 14 C carboxy] triolein in ob/ob mice.
  • FIG. 26 is a graphical diagram showing reduction in weight loss in mice administered anti-ZAG, as compared to mice administered BRL37344 (cachexia model).
  • FIG. 27 is a graphical diagram showing glucose tolerance in ob/ob mice treated with the ⁇ 3 agonist, BRL37344 in the absence and presence of an anti-ZAG antibody.
  • FIG. 28 is a graphical diagram showing the results of lipolysis in epididymal murine adipocytes in response to isoprenaline (Iso), ZAG, and an anti-ZAG antibody.
  • FIG. 29 is a graphical diagram showing weight change in ob/ob mice treated with BRL in the absence or presence of anti-ZAG where BRL was added either 24 h prior to anti-ZAG ab or at the same time.
  • FIG. 30 is a graphical diagram showing decreased proteolysis and increased muscle synthesis in ZAG treated ob/ob mice.
  • FIG. 31 is a graphical diagram showing weight change in ob/ob mice treated with and without ZAG.
  • FIG. 32 is a graphical diagram showing body temperature in ob/ob mice treated with and without ZAG.
  • FIG. 33 is a graphical diagram showing urine glucose levels in ob/ob mice treated pith and without ZAG.
  • FIG. 34 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot showing ZAG in ob/ob mice following oral administration. Treatment with rhZAG administered orally causes an increase in endogenously expressed murine ZAG in plasma.
  • FIG. 35 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot showing ZAG expression in WAT from ob/ob mice treated with and without human ZAG (p.o.). Treatment with rhZAG administered orally causes an increase in endogenously expressed murine ZAG in WAT.
  • FIG. 36 is a graphical diagram showing weight change in ob/ob mice treated with and without ZAG (p.o.) in the absence or presence of propranolol, a gereral ⁇ -AR antagonist.
  • Propranolol was increased from 20 to 40 mg/kg on day 3, after which change in weight loss altered from the negative slope of the ZAG-treated animals to the positive slope of the untreated animals.
  • FIG. 37 is a graphical diagram showing change in body temperature in ob/ob mice treated with and without ZAG (p.o.) in the absence or presence of propranolol. Propranolol was increased from 20 to 40 mg/kg on day 3, after which body temperature of the ZAG+Prop animals tracked that of untreated animals.
  • FIG. 38 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot showing ZAG using anti-mouse ZAG in mouse serum from mice treated with and without ZAG in the absence or presence of propranonol. Endogenous murine ZAG increases with treatment by orally administered rhZAG, and such increase is blocked by propranolol.
  • FIG. 39 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot showing ZAG using anti-human ZAG against mouse serum from mice treated with and without ZAG in the absence or presence of propranonol. Human ZAG is not detected in mouse serum with or without propranolol.
  • FIG. 40 is a graphical diagram showing glucose levels during a glucose tolerance test in ob/ob mice treated with and without ZAG (p.o.) in the absence or presence of propranolol.
  • FIG. 41 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot showing ZAG in ob/ob mice following oral administration. Treatment with rhZAG administered orally causes an increase in endogenously expressed murine ZAG in plasma.
  • FIG. 42 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot showing ZAG expression in WAT from ob/ob mice treated with and without human ZAG (p.o.).
  • FIG. 43 is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice.
  • FIG. 44 is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on signaling pathwasy in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice.
  • FIG. 45 is a pictorial diagram showing the effect of ZAG on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice.
  • FIG. 46 is a pictorial diagram of a 14C ZAG autoradiograph showing stomach and plasma levels of ZAG from ob/ob mouse treated p.o., the samples being taken 24-hours post treatment.
  • FIG. 47 is a graphical diagram showing weight change in ob/ob mice treated with and without 50 ug ZAG (p.o./gavage).
  • FIG. 48 is a graphical diagram showing glucose urine levels in ob/ob mice treated with and without 50 ug ZAG (p.o./gavage).
  • FIG. 49 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot.
  • Anti-ZAG Diminishes Affects Caused by BRL37344 in vivo Western blot of UCP3 in BAT of ob/ob mice treated with and without BRL in the absence or presence of Anti-ZAG. Treatment of ob/ob mice with BRL37344 causes an increase of UCP3 in BAT, an effect which is blocked by the administration of anti-ZAG antibodies.
  • FIG. 50 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot.
  • ZAG administered orally to ob/ob mice causes an up-regulation of endogenous murine ZAG in plasma and in WAT.
  • FIG. 51 is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot.
  • Propranolol blocks the increase in murine serum ZAG due to treatment with rhZAG p.o., but the administered human ZAG is not found in plasma.
  • FIG. 52A is a graphical diagram showing the effect of ZAG concentration on cyclic AMP production in CHO cells transfected with ⁇ 1-AR ( ⁇ ) ⁇ 2-AR ( ⁇ ) and ⁇ 3-AR (hashed).
  • FIG. 52B is a graphical diagram showing effect of isoprenaline (10 ⁇ M) on cyclic AMP production in ⁇ 1- ( ⁇ ), ⁇ 2- ( ⁇ ) and ⁇ 3-AR (hashed) transfected CHO cells in the absence or presence of SR59230A (10 ⁇ M). Differences from basal levels of cyclic AMP are indicated as either a, p ⁇ 0.05 or c, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 52C is a graphical diagram showing mRNA levels. Expression of ⁇ 1-, ⁇ 2- and ⁇ 3-AR in CHO-K1 cells transfected with the respective human genes as absolute numbers of ⁇ -AR mRNA molecules/ ⁇ g of total RNA, measured by RT-real time PCR (closed boxes) in comparison with expression of GAPDH in the same sample (open boxes).
  • FIG. 52D is a graphical diagram showing cyclic AMP production in CHO-KI cells transfected with human ⁇ 1-, ⁇ 2- and ⁇ 3-AR in response to forskolin (20 ⁇ M). (closed boxes) in relation to basal levels (open boxes).
  • FIGS. 52E , 52 F and 52 G is a graphical diagram showing specific binding of ZAG to CHO-K1 cells transfected with human ⁇ 1- ( FIG. 52E ), ⁇ 2- ( FIG. 52F ) and ⁇ 3-AR ( FIG. 52G ) in the absence ( ⁇ ) or presence ( ⁇ ) of 100 uM non-labelled ZAG Binding of similar concentrations of ZAG frozen and thawed(X) is also indicated.
  • FIG. 52H is a graphical diagram showing lipolytic activity of ZAG (0.58 ⁇ M), either fresh (open), or frozen and thawed once (dashed), in comparison with isoprenaline (Iso; 10 ⁇ M) (solid) in murine epididymal adipocytes. Differences from control are shown as c, p ⁇ 0.001, while differences between fresh and frozen ZAG and in the presence of SR59230A are shown as f, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 53A-53C are a graphical diagrams showing the effect of propanolol on body weight ( 53 A), body temperature ( 53 B) and urinary glucose excretion ( 53 C) in ob/ob mice treated with ZAG.
  • FIG. 53D is a pictorial diagram of liver histology after 60 days comparing control-treated and ZAG—treated example sections.
  • FIG. 54A are a graphical diagrams showing total areas under the glucose curves (AUC) in arbitrary units and plasma glucose levels during a glucose tolerance test 3 days after initiation of ZAG ( ⁇ ) in comparison with PBS ( ⁇ )
  • FIG. 54B is a graphical diagram showing plasma insulin levels during the glucose tolerance test described in ( FIG. 54A ).
  • FIG. 54C is a graphical diagram showing glucose uptake into isolated gastrocnemius muscle of ob/ob mice in the absence or presence or insulin (100 nM). Ob/ob mice were treated with ZAG with or without propanolol for 7 days prior to excision of muscle.
  • FIG. 54D is a graphical diagram showing glucose uptake into epididymal adipocytes of ob/ob mice in the absence or presence of insulin (10 nM). Animals received the treatments indicated for 7 days prior to excision of WAT.
  • FIGS. 54E and 54F are graphical diagrams showing levels of TG ( FIG. 54E ) and NEFA ( FIG. 54F ) in ob/ob mice treated with PBS or ZAG, with or without propranolol for 7 days.
  • FIGS. 54G and 54H are pictorial diagrams of Western blots showing Glut 4 expression in Gastronemius ( 54 G) and WAT ( 54 H) from ob/ob mice in the presence of ZAG or Insulin or both. Differences from controls are shown as b, p ⁇ 0.01 or c, p ⁇ 0.001, while differences from ZAG alone are shown as d, p ⁇ 0.05 or f, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 55A is a pictorial diagram of a Western blot.
  • FIGS. 55A , 55 B and 55 C are pictorial diagrams showing expression of ⁇ 3-AR after treatment of ob/ob mice with ZAG (35 ⁇ g; i.v. day ⁇ 1 ) for 5 days.
  • Western blots showing expression of ⁇ 3-AR in gastrocnemius muscle ( 54 A), BAT ( 54 B) and WAT ( 54 C) of ob/ob mice treated with either PBS or ZAG.
  • the densitometric analysis is the average of three separate Western blots. Differences from control as shown as c, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIGS. 56A , 56 B and 56 C are pictorial diagrams of expression of ⁇ 1- and ⁇ 2-AR in gastrocnemius muscle ( 56 A), WAT ( 56 B) and heart ( 56 C) after treatment of ob/ob mice with ZAG (35 ⁇ g; i.v., daily) for 5 days. Differences from PBS treated animals is shown as a, p ⁇ 0.05.
  • FIGS. 57A , 57 B, 57 C and 57 D are pictorial diagrams of the effect of ZAG on expression of uncoupling proteins.
  • the present invention is based on the observation that anti-human Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG) antibodies reduce weight loss in models of cachexia.
  • ZAG Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • the invention provides methods for preventing weight loss in cachexia situations in a subject. Also provided are combinatorial treatments to bring about a reduction in weight loss in a subject with cachexia.
  • kits comprising one or more of the formulations are also provided.
  • the present invention is based on the observation that recombinant zinc- ⁇ 2-glycoprotein (ZAG) produces a decrease in body weight and increase in insulin responsiveness in subjects with no effect on food intake.
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2-glycoprotein
  • cDNA of ZAG has been isolated from human liver and prostate gland libraries, and also the gene has been isolated, as reported by Ueyama et al., (1993) “Molecular cloning and chromosomal assignment of the gene for human Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein”, Biochemistry 32, 12968-12976. H. Ueyama et al. have also described, in J. Biochem. (1994) 116, 677-681, studies on ZAG cDNAs from rat and mouse liver which, together with the glycoprotein expressed by the corresponding mRNAs, have been sequenced and compared with the human material.
  • the purified ZAG discussed above was prepared from fresh human plasma substantially according to the method described by Ohkubo et al. (Ohkubo et al. (1988) “Purification and characterisation of human plasma Zn- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein” Prep. Biochem., 18, 413-430). It will be appreciated that in some cases fragments of the isolated lipid mobilizing factor, of ZAG, or of anti-ZAG antibodies may be produced without loss of activity, and various additions, deletions or substitutions may be made which also will not substantially affect this activity. As such, the methods of the invention also include use of functional fragments of anti-ZAG antibodies.
  • the antibody or fragment thereof used in these therapeutic applications may further be produced by recombinant DNA techniques such as are well known in the art based possibly on the known cDNA sequence for Zn- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein which has been published for example in H. Ueyama et al. (1994) “Structure and Expression of Rat and Mouse mRNAs for Zn- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein” J. Biochem., 116, 677-681.
  • the antibody or fragment thereof used in these therapeutic applications may further include post-expression modifications of the polypeptide, for example, glycosylations, acetylations, phosphorylations and the like, as well as other modifications known in the art, both naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring.
  • ZAG polypeptides or proteins include variants of wild type proteins which retain their biological function. As such, one or more of the residues of a ZAG protein can be altered to yield a variant or truncated protein, so long as the variant retains it native biological activity.
  • Conservative amino acid substitutions include, for example, aspartic-glutamic as acidic amino acids; lysine/arginine/histidine as basic amino acids; leucine/isoleucine, methionine/valine, alanine/valine as hydrophobic amino acids; serine/glycine/alanine/threonine as hydrophilic amino acids.
  • Conservative amino acid substitution also include groupings based on side chains.
  • a group of amino acids having aliphatic side chains is glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine; a group of amino acids having aliphatic-hydroxyl side chains is serine and threonine; a group of amino acids having amide-containing side chains is asparagine and glutamine; a group of amino acids having aromatic side chains is phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; a group of amino acids having basic side chains is lysine, arginine, and histidine; and a group of amino acids having sulfur-containing side chains is cysteine and methionine.
  • Amino acid substitutions falling within the scope of the invention are, in general, accomplished by selecting substitutions that do not differ significantly in their effect on maintaining (a) the structure of the peptide backbone in the area of the substitution, (b) the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at the target site, or (c) the bulk of the side chain.
  • substitutions that do not differ significantly in their effect on maintaining (a) the structure of the peptide backbone in the area of the substitution, (b) the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at the target site, or (c) the bulk of the side chain.
  • the invention also envisions variants with non-conservative substitutions.
  • peptide “polypeptide” and protein” are used interchangeably herein unless otherwise distinguished to refer to polymers of amino acids of any length. These terms also include proteins that are post-translationally modified through reactions that include glycosylation, acetylation and phosphorylation.
  • the present invention includes use of a function fragment of a
  • ZAG polypeptide or protein A functional fragment, is characterized, in part, by having or affecting an activity associated with weight loss, lowering blood glucose level, increasing body termperature, improving glucose tissue uptake, increasing expression of Bet3 receptors, increasing expression of ZAG; increasing expression of Glut 4, and/or increasing expression of UCP1 and UCP3.
  • the term “functional fragment,” when used herein refers to a polypeptide that retains one or more biological functions of ZAG. Methods for identifying such a functional fragment of a ZAG polypeptide, are generally known in the art.
  • antibody includes reference to an immunoglobulin molecule immunologically reactive with a particular antigen, and includes both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.
  • the term also includes genetically engineered forms such as chimeric antibodies (e.g., humanized murine antibodies) and heteroconjugate antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies).
  • antibody also includes antigen binding forms of antibodies, including fragments with antigen-binding capability (e.g., Fab′, F(ab′) 2 , Fab, Fv and rIgG. See also, Pierce Catalog and Handbook, 1994-1995 (Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.).
  • antibody also includes bivalent or bispecific molecules, diabodies, triabodies, and tetrabodies. Bivalent and bispecific molecules are described in, e.g., Kostelny et al. (1992) J Immunol 148:1547, Pack and Pluckthun (1992) Biochemistry 31:1579, Hollinger et al., 1993, supra, Gruber et al. (1994) J Immunol: 5368, Zhu et al. (1997) Protein Sci 6:781, Hu et al. (1996) Cancer Res. 56:3055, Adams et al. (1993) Cancer Res. 53:4026, and McCartney, et al. (1995) Protein Eng. 8:301.
  • An antibody immunologically reactive with a particular antigen can be generated by recombinant methods such as selection of libraries of recombinant antibodies in phage or similar vectors, see, e.g., Huse et al., Science 246:1275-1281 (1989); Ward et al., Nature 341:544-546 (1989); and Vaughan et al., Nature Biotech. 14:309-314 (1996), or by immunizing an animal with the antigen or with DNA encoding the antigen.
  • an immunoglobulin typically has a heavy and light chain.
  • Each heavy and light chain contains a constant region and a variable region, (the regions are also known as “domains”).
  • Light and heavy chain variable regions contain four “framework” regions interrupted by three hypervariable regions, also called “complementarity-determining regions” or “CDRs”.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • the extent of the framework regions and CDRs have been defined. The sequences of the framework regions of different light or heavy chains are relatively conserved within a species.
  • the framework region of an antibody that is the combined framework regions of the constituent light and heavy chains, serves to position and align the CDRs in three dimensional space.
  • the CDRs are primarily responsible for binding to an epitope of an antigen.
  • the CDRs of each chain are typically referred to as CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3, numbered sequentially starting from the N-terminus, and are also typically identified by the chain in which the particular CDR is located.
  • a V H CDR3 is located in the variable domain of the heavy chain of the antibody in which it is found
  • a V L CDR1 is the CDR1 from the variable domain of the light chain of the antibody in which it is found.
  • V H or a “V H ” refer to the variable region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain of an antibody, including the heavy chain of an Fv, scFv, or Fab.
  • V L or a “V L ” refer to the variable region of an immunoglobulin light chain, including the light chain of an Fv, scFv, dsFv or Fab.
  • An antibody having a constant region substantially identical to a naturally occurring class IgG antibody constant region refers to an antibody in which any constant region present is substantially identical, i.e., at least about 85-90%, and preferably at least 95% identical, to the amino acid sequence of the naturally occurring class IgG antibody's constant region.
  • the term “monoclonal antibody” is not limited to antibodies produced through hybridoma technology.
  • the term “monoclonal antibody” refers to an antibody that is derived from a single clone, including any eukaryotic, prokaryotic, or phage clone, and not the method by which it is produced.
  • Monoclonal antibodies useful with the present invention may be prepared using a wide variety of techniques known in the art including the use of hybridoma, recombinant, and phage display technologies, or a combination thereof.
  • monoclonal antibodies can be produced using hybridoma techniques including those known in the art and taught, for example, in Harlow and Lane, “Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual,” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1988); Hammerling et al., in: “Monoclonal Antibodies and T-Cell Hybridomas,” Elsevier, N.Y. (1981), pp. 563-681 (both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).
  • the antibodies of the invention may be chimeric, primatized, humanized, or human antibodies.
  • a “chimeric antibody” is an immunoglobulin molecule in which (a) the constant region, or a portion thereof, is altered, replaced or exchanged so that the antigen binding site (variable region) is linked to a constant region of a different or altered class, effector function and/or species, or an entirely different molecule which confers new properties to the chimeric antibody, e.g., an enzyme, toxin, hormone, growth factor, drug, etc.; or (b) the variable region, or a portion thereof, is altered, replaced or exchanged with a variable region having a different or altered antigen specificity.
  • Methods for producing chimeric antibodies are known in the art.
  • humanized antibody or “humanized immunoglobulin” refers to an immunoglobulin comprising a human framework, at least one and preferably all complementarity determining regions (CDRs) from a non-human antibody, and in which any constant region present is substantially identical to a human immunoglobulin constant region, i.e., at least about 85-90%, and preferably at least 95% identical.
  • CDRs complementarity determining regions
  • framework residues in the human framework regions will be substituted with the corresponding residue from the CDR donor antibody to alter, preferably improve, antigen binding.
  • framework substitutions are identified by methods well known in the art, e.g., by modeling of the interactions of the CDR and framework residues to identify framework residues important for antigen binding and sequence comparison to identify unusual framework residues at particular positions. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,101; 5,585,089; 5,693,761; 5,693,762; 6,180,370 (each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
  • Antibodies can be humanized using a variety of techniques known in the art including, for example, CDR-grafting (EP 239,400; PCT publication WO 91/09967; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,225,539; 5,530,101 and 5,585,089), veneering or resurfacing (EP 592,106; EP 519,596; Padlan, Mol. Immunol., 28:489-498 (1991); Studnicka et al., Prot. Eng. 7:805-814 (1994); Roguska et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 91:969-973 (1994), and chain shuffling (U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,332), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
  • Human antibodies may be desirable for therapeutic treatment of human patients.
  • Human antibodies can be made by a variety of methods known in the art including phage display methods described above using antibody libraries derived from human immunoglobulin sequences. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,444,887 and 4,716,111; and PCT publications WO 98/46645; WO 98/50433; WO 98/24893; WO 98/16654; WO 96/34096; WO 96/33735; and WO 91/10741, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Human antibodies can also be produced using transgenic mice which are incapable of expressing functional endogenous immunoglobulins, but which can express human immunoglobulin genes.
  • Completely human antibodies that recognize a selected epitope can be generated using a technique referred to as “guided selection.”
  • a selected non-human monoclonal antibody e.g., a mouse antibody
  • is used to guide the selection of a completely human antibody recognizing the same epitope Jespers et al., Biotechnology 12:899-903 (1988).
  • primary antibody refers to an antibody comprising monkey variable regions and human constant regions.
  • Methods for producing primatized antibodies are known in the art. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,658,570; 5,681,722; and 5,693,780, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • epitopes refer to a site on an antigen to which an antibody binds.
  • Epitopes can be formed both from contiguous amino acids or noncontiguous amino acids juxtaposed by tertiary folding of a protein. Epitopes formed from contiguous amino acids are typically retained on exposure to denaturing solvents whereas epitopes formed by tertiary folding are typically lost on treatment with denaturing solvents.
  • An epitope typically includes at least 3, and more usually, at least 5 or 8-10 amino acids in a unique spatial conformation. Methods of determining spatial conformation of epitopes include, for example, x-ray crystallography and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance. See, e.g., Epitope Mapping Protocols in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 66, Glenn E. Morris, Ed (1996).
  • Antibodies of “IgG class” refers to antibodies of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4.
  • the numbering of the amino acid residues in the heavy and light chains is that of the EU index (Kabat, et al., “Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest”, 5th ed., National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991); the EU numbering scheme is used herein).
  • polyclonal antibodies can be raised in a mammal, e.g., by one or more injections of an immunizing agent and, if desired, an adjuvant.
  • the immunizing agent and/or adjuvant will be injected in the mammal by multiple subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injections.
  • the immunizing agent may include a protein, such as the polypeptide shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, encoded by a nucleic acid or a functional fragment thereof. It may be useful to conjugate the immunizing agent to a protein known to be immunogenic in the mammal being immunized.
  • immunogenic proteins include but are not limited to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor.
  • adjuvants which may be employed include Freund's complete adjuvant and MPL-TDM adjuvant (monophosphoryl Lipid A, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate).
  • the immunization protocol may be selected by one skilled in the art without undue experimentation.
  • the antibodies may, alternatively, be monoclonal antibodies.
  • Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared using hybridoma methods, such as those described by Kohler & Milstein, Nature 256:495 (1975).
  • a hybridoma method a mouse, hamster, or other appropriate host animal, is typically immunized with an immunizing agent to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the immunizing agent.
  • the lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro.
  • the immunizing agent will typically include a polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a functional fragment thereof.
  • Human antibodies can be produced using various techniques known in the art, including phage display libraries (Hoogenboom & Winter, J. Mol. Biol. 227:381 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222:581 (1991)).
  • the techniques of Cole et al. and Boerner et al. are also available for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies (Cole et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, p. 77 (1985) and Boerner et al., J. Immunol. 147(1):86-95 (1991)).
  • human antibodies can be made by introducing of human immunoglobulin loci into transgenic animals, e.g., mice in which the endogenous immunoglobulin genes have been partially or completely inactivated. Upon challenge, human antibody production is observed, which closely resembles that seen in humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, and antibody repertoire. This approach is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos.
  • the antibody is a single chain Fv (scFv).
  • the V H and the V L regions of a scFv antibody comprise a single chain which is folded to create an antigen binding site similar to that found in two chain antibodies. Once folded, noncovalent interactions stabilize the single chain antibody. While the V H and V L regions of some antibody embodiments can be directly joined together, one of skill will appreciate that the regions may be separated by a peptide linker consisting of one or more amino acids. Peptide linkers and their use are well-known in the art. See, e.g., Huston et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci.
  • the peptide linker will have no specific biological activity other than to join the regions or to preserve some minimum distance or other spatial relationship between the V H and V L .
  • the constituent amino acids of the peptide linker may be selected to influence some property of the molecule such as the folding, net charge, or hydrophobicity.
  • Single chain Fv (scFv) antibodies optionally include a peptide linker of no more than 50 amino acids, generally no more than 40 amino acids, preferably no more than 30 amino acids, and more preferably no more than 20 amino acids in length.
  • the peptide linker is a concatamer of the sequence Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser (SEQ ID NO:7), preferably 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 such sequences.
  • SEQ ID NO:7 the sequence Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser
  • some amino acid substitutions within the linker can be made.
  • a valine can be substituted for a glycine.
  • scFv antibodies have been described. See, Huse et al., supra; Ward et al. supra; and Vaughan et al., supra.
  • mRNA from B-cells from an immunized animal is isolated and cDNA is prepared.
  • the cDNA is amplified using primers specific for the variable regions of heavy and light chains of immunoglobulins.
  • the PCR products are purified and the nucleic acid sequences are joined. If a linker peptide is desired, nucleic acid sequences that encode the peptide are inserted between the heavy and light chain nucleic acid sequences.
  • the nucleic acid which encodes the scFv is inserted into a vector and expressed in the appropriate host cell.
  • the scFv that specifically bind to the desired antigen are typically found by panning of a phage display library.
  • Panning can be performed by any of several methods. Panning can conveniently be performed using cells expressing the desired antigen on their surface or using a solid surface coated with the desired antigen. Conveniently, the surface can be a magnetic bead. The unbound phage are washed off the solid surface and the bound phage are eluted.
  • ZAG and/or fragments thereof has been previously shown to bring about a weight reduction or reduction in obesity in mammals, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,890,899 and 7,550,429, and in U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0173829, the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the present invention demonstrates that anti-ZAG antibodies and/or functional fragments thereof reduces weight loss in models of cachexia. It is therefore contemplated that the methods of the instant invention provide a detectable effect on symptoms associated with cachexia and/or diseases associated with muscle wasting disease.
  • the invention provides a method of ameliorating the symptoms of cachexia in a subject.
  • the method includes administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective dosage of an inhibitor of the biological activity of a polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • the treatment regimen may be for months (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 months), or years.
  • the polypeptide is administered for a period of up to 21 days or longer.
  • the amelioration of symptoms is detectable within days (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 days), weeks (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks), or months (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 months) of initiating treatment.
  • the treatment regimen is about 10 days wherein there is amelioration of symptoms associated with cachexia following treatment.
  • the treatment regimen is about 21 days wherein there is amelioration of symptoms associated with cachexia following treatment.
  • lipid mobilizing agent having similar characteristics of ZAG and/or fragments thereof has also been used to bring about a weight reduction or reduction in obesity in mammals, as disclosed in U.S. Published App. No. 2006/0160723, incorporated by herein by reference in its entirety.
  • ZAG and/or functional fragments thereof increases the insulin responsiveness of adipocytes and skeletal muscle, and produces an increase in muscle mass through an increase in protein synthesis coupled with a decrease in protein degradation regardless of whether a weight reduction or reduction in obesity is observed during treatment (see U.S. Ser. No. 12/614,289, incorporated herein by reference).
  • ⁇ 3 agonists are reportedly effective insulin sensitizing agents in rodents and their potential to reduce blood glucose levels in humans has been a subject of investigation. Activation of ⁇ 3 agonists adrenoceptors stimulates fat oxidation, thereby lowering intracellular concentrations of metabolites including fatty acyl CoA and diacylglycerol, which modulate insulin signaling. Furthermore, it is contemplated herein that certain ⁇ 3 receptor agonists may not have found success in clinical trials given that one category of ⁇ 3 receptors available to these agents is located in the digestive system and particularly in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach, resulting in minimal, if any, exposure of the agonist to most of these receptors. This theory is supported by the observation that several of the ⁇ 3 agonist therepeutic agents were found to be efficacious but had limited bioavailability in the plasma space.
  • a formulation can be in any form, e.g., liquid, solid, gel, emulsion, powder, tablet, capsule, or gel cap (e.g., soft or hard gel cap).
  • a formulation typically will include one or more compositions that have been purified, isolated, or extracted (e.g., from plants) or synthesized, which are combined to provide a benefit (e.g., a health benefit in addition to a nutritional benefit) when used to supplement food in a diet.
  • recommended amounts per day or per serving of a formulation or of ingredients provided in a formulation may be set forth herein.
  • one could vary the form of the formulation e.g., by substituting a powder for a capsule, a tablet for a capsule, a gel-cap for a tablet, a gel-cap for a capsule, a powder for a gel-cap, or any such combination, in order to provide such recommended amounts per day or per serving of a formulation.
  • any of the formulations can be prepared using well known methods by those having ordinary skill in the art, e.g., by mixing the recited ingredients in the proper amounts. Ingredients for inclusion in a formulation are generally commercially available.
  • the invention provides a formulation that includes ZAG or a functional fragment thereof
  • the ZAG may be mammalian ZAG, such human ZAG as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, or fragments thereof.
  • the ZAG may be derived from any source provided that the ZAG retains the activity of wild-type ZAG.
  • subject refers to any individual or patient to which the subject methods are performed.
  • the subject is human, although as will be appreciated by those in the art, the subject may be an animal.
  • animals including mammals such as rodents (including mice, rats, hamsters and guinea pigs), cats, dogs, rabbits, farm animals including cows, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, etc., and primates (including monkeys, chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas) are included within the definition of subject.
  • Cachexia is commonly associated with a number of disease states, including acute inflammatory processes associated with critical illness and chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, AIDS, sepsis, COPD, renal failure, arthritis, congestive heart failure, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, sarcopenia of aging, severe trauma (e.g., orthopaedic immobilization of a limb), metabolic acidosis, denervation atrophy, and weightlessness.
  • acute inflammatory processes associated with critical illness and chronic inflammatory diseases cancer, AIDS, sepsis, COPD, renal failure, arthritis, congestive heart failure, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, sarcopenia of aging, severe trauma (e.g., orthopaedic immobilization of a limb), metabolic acidosis, denervation atrophy, and weightlessness.
  • terapéuticaally effective amount means the amount of a compound or pharmaceutical composition that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by the researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician.
  • the formulations of the invention are intended to be orally administered daily. However, other forms of administration are equally envisioned. As used herein, the terms “administration” or “administering” are defined to include an act of providing a compound or pharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject in need of treatment.
  • parenteral administration and “administered parenterally” as used herein means modes of administration other than enteral and topical administration, usually orally or by injection, and includes, without limitation, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal, transtracheal, subcutaneous, subcuticular, intraarticulare, subcapsular, subarachnoid, intraspinal and intrasternal injection and infusion.
  • systemic administration means the administration of a compound, drug or other material other than directly into the central nervous system, such that it enters the subject's system and, thus, is subject to metabolism and other like processes, for example, subcutaneous administration.
  • the anti-ZAG antibodies, fragments thereof, and/or formulations of the invention are administered to a subject via inhalation, intranasally, buccally, sublingually, intravenously, intramuscularly, and/or orally.
  • the antibodies or compositions thereof are formulated in rapid-melting compositions, extended release compositions, and the like.
  • the term “ameliorating” or “treating” means that the clinical signs and/or the symptoms associated with cachexia are lessened as a result of the actions performed.
  • the signs or symptoms to be monitored will be characteristic of cachexia and will be well known to the skilled clinician, as will the methods for monitoring the signs and conditions.
  • exemplary symptoms associated with cachexia include, but are not limited to, fever, headache, chronic pain, body malaise, fainting, seizure associated with the fever, shock, palpitations, heart murmur, gangrene, epistaxis, hemoptysis, cough, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, hyperventilation and hypoventilation, mouth breathing, hiccup and chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, heartburn, halitosis, and flatulence, as compared to a normal subject or a subject that does not have cachexia.
  • an amelioration of the symptoms associate with cachexia includes but is not limited to, decreasing or reducing weight loss in the subject and reversing one or more of the above-listed symptoms.
  • the terms “reduce” and “inhibit” are used together because it is recognized that, in some cases, a decrease can be reduced below the level of detection of a particular assay. As such, it may not always be clear whether the expression level or activity is “reduced” below a level of detection of an assay, or is completely “inhibited.” Nevertheless, it will be clearly determinable, following a treatment according to the present methods, that amount of weight loss in a subject is at least reduced from the level prior to treatment.
  • ZAG has been attributed a number of biological roles, but its role as an adipokine regulating lipid mobilization and utilization is most important in regulating body composition.
  • Previous studies suggested that the increase in protein synthesis was due to an increase in cyclic AMP through interaction with the ⁇ -adrenoreceptor, while the decrease in protein degradation was due to reduced activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway.
  • Studies in db/db mice show that insulin resistance causes muscle wasting through an increased activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.
  • caspase-3 activity has been shown to be increased in skeletal muscle of diabetic animals, which may be part of the signaling cascade, since it can cleave PKR leading to activation.
  • caspase-3 activity has been shown to be increased in skeletal muscle of diabetic animals, which may be part of the signaling cascade, since it can cleave PKR leading to activation.
  • the ability of ZAG to attenuate these signaling pathways provides an explanation regarding its ability to increase muscle mass.
  • an anti-ZAG antibody is demonstrated to decrease loss of muscle mass in cachexia situations.
  • the invention provides a method of supplementing a human or animal diet.
  • the method includes administering to the subject a ZAG polypeptide or a fragment thereof.
  • the method includes ingesting a formulation that includes a ZAG polypeptide, such as the human ZAG polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • a formulation can be ingested alone or in combination with any other known formulation, in any order and for varying relative lengths of time.
  • certain formulations are used prior to other formulations, while other formulations are ingested concurrently.
  • the invention provides a method of decreasing plasma insulin levels in a subject.
  • the method includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective dosage of a polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof
  • the decrease in plasma insulin occurs within 3 days of initiating treatment.
  • the treatment regimen is administered for 10 days or longer.
  • the treatment regimen is administered for 21 days or longer.
  • amelioration of the symptoms associated with hyperglycemia also includes an increase in body temperature of about 0.5° C. to about 1° C. during treatment. In one embodiment, the increase in body temperature occurs within 4 days of initiating treatment. In another embodiment, amelioration of the symptoms associated with hyperglycemia also includes an increase in pancreatic insulin as compared to pancreatic insulin levels prior to treatment, since less insulin is needed to control blood glucose as a result of the presence of ZAG.
  • mice lacking MAPK phosphatase-1 have increase activities of ERK and p38MAPK in WAT, and are resistant to diet-induced obesity due to enhanced energy expenditure.
  • Previous studies have suggested a role for MAPK in the ZAG-induced expression of UCP3 in skeletal muscle.
  • ERK activation may regulate lipolysis in adipocytes by phosphorylation of serine residues of HSL, such as Ser-600, one of the sites phosphorylated by protein kinase A.
  • ATGL may be important in excess fat storage in obesity, since ATGL knockout mice have large fat deposits and reduced NEFA release from WAT in response to isoproterenol, although they did display normal insulin sensitivity.
  • HSL null mice when fed a normal diet, had body weights similar to wild-type animals.
  • expression of both ATGL and HSL are reduced in human WAT in the obese insulin-resistant state compared with the insulin sensitive state, and weight reduction also decreased mRNA and protein levels.
  • UCP1 would be expected to decrease plasma levels of NEFA, since they are the primary substrates for thermogenesis in BAT.
  • BAT also has a high capacity for glucose utilization, which could partially explain the decrease in blood glucose.
  • GLUT4 in skeletal muscle and WAT, which helps mediate the increase in glucose uptake in the presence of insulin.
  • mice treated with ZAG there was an increased glucose utilization/oxidation by brain, heart, BAT and gastrocnemius muscle, and increased production of 14 CO 2 from D-[U- 14 C] glucose, as well as [ 14 C carboxy] triolein ( FIG. 24 ).
  • the term “agonist” refers to an agent or analog that is capable of inducing a full or partial pharmacological response.
  • an agonist may bind productively to a receptor and mimic the physiological reaction thereto.
  • the term “antagonist” refers to an agent or analog that does not provoke a biological response itself upon binding to a receptor, but blocks or dampens agonist-mediated responses.
  • the methods and formulations of the invention may include administering anti-ZAG antibodies, or a functional fragment thereof, in combination with a ⁇ 3 antagonist, such as but not limited to BRL37344, or a ⁇ 3 agonist.
  • ⁇ 3 agonists examples include, but are not limited to: epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), isoprotenerol, isoprenaline, propranolol, alprenolol, arotinolol, bucindolol, carazolol, carteolol, clenbuterol, denopamine, fenoterol, nadolol, octopamine, oxyprenolol, pindolol, [(cyano)pindolol], salbuterol, salmeterol, teratolol, tecradine, trimetoquinolol, 3′-iodotrimetoquinolol, 3′,5′-iodotrimetoquinolol, Amibegron, Solabegron, Nebivolol, AD-96
  • ⁇ -AR antagonists examples include, but are not limited to: propranolol, ( ⁇ )-propranolol, (+)-propranolol, practolol, ( ⁇ )-practolol, (+)-practolol, CGP-20712A, ICI-118551, ( ⁇ )-buprranolol, acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, esmolol, nebivolol, metoprolol, acebutolol, carteolol, penbutolol, pindolol, carvedilol, labetalol, levobunolol, metipranolol, nadolol, sotalol, and timolol.
  • Induction of lipolysis in rat adipocytes by ZAG is suggested to be mediated through a ⁇ 3-AR, and the effect of ZAG on adipose tissue and lean body mass may also be due to its ability to stimulate the ⁇ 3-AR.
  • Induction of UCP1 expression by ZAG has been shown to be mediated through interaction with a ⁇ 3-AR.
  • the increased expression of UCP1 in WAT may also be a ⁇ 3-AR effect through remodeling of brown adipocyte precursors, as occurs with the ⁇ 3-AR agonist CL3 16,243.
  • the invention provides a method of treating a subject to bring about a reduction in weight loss due to cachexia or a disease associated with muscle wasting.
  • the method includes administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective dosage of a ⁇ 3 antagonist in combination with an antibody, or a fragment thereof, that binds to the polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • the method includes administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective dosage of a ⁇ 3-AR antagonist in combination with an antibody, or a fragment thereof, that binds to the polypeptide having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • the purpose of combining ZAG, ⁇ -3AR agonists and ⁇ -AR antagonists varies depending on the purpose of the treatment and the status of the subject.
  • ⁇ -3AR mechanism In one embodiment involving the treatment of obesity or diabetes in which it is desired to activate the ⁇ -3AR mechanism to achieve the desired lipolysis, glucose consumption, insulin sensitization, protein synthesis, increased energy expenditure, and the like.
  • the administered ZAG, or more likely the ⁇ -3AR agonist will exhibit some undesired activity at one or more of the ⁇ -1AR or the ⁇ -2AR, causing side effects or diminishment of desired efficacy.
  • ⁇ -AR antagonists sometimes referred to as “classic beta blockers” so as to prevent the undesired activity at the ⁇ -1AR or ⁇ -2AR.
  • These ⁇ -AR antagonists would preferably, but not necessarily, be selected to block the receptor subtype (one of ⁇ -1AR, ⁇ -2AR) that is associated with the side effect or mitigation of efficacy.
  • cachexia caused by different diseases, and within populations of subjects with a given diseases, different degrees of cachexia are observed, and with different proportions of muscle loss and fat loss.
  • a cachectic subject may be suffering from loss of muscle mass, but with either no loss of fat, or some degree of fat loss. Because muscle loss is typically a more clinically undesireable outcome, utilizing ZAG to cause some of the muscle build-up that occurs in cachetic animals treated with ZAG, while also causing some degree of fat loss, may be desired. Thus treating such subjects with ZAG, a ⁇ -3AR agonist, and optionally as described above, ⁇ -AR antagonists, could increase muscle mass.
  • a cachectic subject may be suffering from loss of fat mass, with either no or some degree of loss of muscle mass.
  • it may be desirable from a clinical standpoint to block the loss of fat, and so administration of antibodies specific to ZAG would be used, in order to block the action caused by ZAG and therefore decrease the downstream action of ⁇ -3AR.
  • All methods may further include the step of bringing the active ingredient(s) into association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients.
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients.
  • the invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating subjects having symptoms associated with cachexia.
  • the composition includes as the active constituent a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-ZAG antibody as discussed above, or a functional fragment thereof, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent of excipient.
  • compositions for administration to a subject include, for example, aqueous solutions such as water or physiologically buffered saline or other solvents or vehicles such as glycols, glycerol, oils such as olive oil or injectable organic esters.
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can contain physiologically acceptable compounds that act, for example, to stabilize or to increase the absorption of the conjugate.
  • physiologically acceptable compounds include, for example, carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose or dextrans, antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, chelating agents, low molecular weight proteins or other stabilizers or excipients.
  • physiologically acceptable compounds may further be in salt form (i.e., balanced with a counter-ion such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, NH4+, etc.), provided that the carrier is compatible with the desired route of administration (e.g., intravenous, subcutaneous, oral, etc.).
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier including a physiologically acceptable compound, depends, for example, on the physico-chemical characteristics of the therapeutic agent and on the route of administration of the composition, which can be, for example, orally or parenterally such as intravenously, and by injection, intubation, or other such method known in the art.
  • the pharmaceutical composition also can contain a second (or more) compound(s) such as a diagnostic reagent, additional nutritional substance, toxin, or therapeutic agent, for example, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent and/or vitamin(s).
  • Formulations of the present invention may also include one or more excipients.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which may be included in the formulation are buffers such as citrate buffer, phosphate buffer, acetate buffer, and bicarbonate buffer, amino acids, urea, alcohols, ascorbic acid, phospholipids; proteins, such as serum albumin, collagen, and gelatin; salts such as EDTA or EGTA, and sodium chloride; liposomes; polyvinylpyrollidone; sugars, such as dextran, mannitol, sorbitol, and glycerol; propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol (e.g., PEG-4000, PEG-6000); glycerol; and glycine or other amino acids.
  • Buffer systems for use with the formulations include citrate; acetate; bicarbonate; and phosphate buffers.
  • Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets, tablets or lozenges, each containing a predetermined amount of the active compound in the form of a powder or granules; or as a suspension of the active compound in an aqueous liquid or non-aqueous liquid such as a syrup, an elixir, an emulsion of a draught.
  • the nutritional supplement formulations can further include any number of additional ingredients that are known to promote health and/or weight reduction.
  • additional ingredients include, but are not limited to, low-glycemic ingredients such as carbohydrate sources, protein sources and sources of dietary fiber. Such low-glycemic ingredients have been shown to curb appetite and cause a reduction in daily caloric intake.
  • satiety refers to the sensation of fullness between one meal and the next and satiation refers to a sensation of fullness that develops during the progress of a meal and contributes to meal termination.
  • Foods with low-glycemic-indexes evoke a smaller rise in blood glucose and insulin and a higher glucagon concentration, which promote satiety and prevent weight gain better than those carbohydrate-containing foods with higher ones because they take longer to digest and to be absorbed than carbohydrates with high- glycemic-indices.
  • the “glycemic index” is a system of predicting subsequent rises in blood glucose after ingestion of carbohydrate-containing foods (Anderson, J. S. et al., Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, ch. 70: 1259-86 (1994); Wolever, T. M. S. et al., Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 54: 846-54 (1991); Wolever, T. M. S. et al., Diab. Care, 12: 126-32 (1990)).
  • the glycemic index characterizes the rate of carbohydrate absorption after a meal.
  • glycemic index carbohydrates have the highest peak circulating glucose in a 2 hour period following ingestion of food. Conversely, low-glycemic-index carbohydrates cause a lower peak glucose and smaller area under the curve.
  • glycemic index of foods include carbohydrate type, fiber, protein and fat content and the method of preparation (overcooked foods evoke a higher response).
  • high-glycemic-index carbohydrates are highly refined, and have a relatively high amount of glucose or starch compared to lactose, sucrose or fructose. Also, they are low in soluble fiber.
  • the inclusion of fiber is important due to the way fiber facilitates weight loss by forming a gel with the food in the stomach. This gelling action reduces the rate of gastric emptying and hence digestion rates which promote satiety.
  • the low-glycemic-index carbohydrate source can be provided by a single carbohydrate or a combination.
  • the carbohydrate source can further provide a source of fiber and may be a natural sweetener, fructose, barley, konjac mannan, psyllium and combinations thereof.
  • the protein source is of a high biological value and is selected from at least one of the following: whey protein concentrate, casein, soy, milk, egg and combinations of these.
  • the nutritional supplement may contain, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, Aietary supplements (e.g., herb), nutrients, emulsifiers, flavorings and edible compounds.
  • the nutritional supplement formulation may further include a carbohydrate for sweetening the nutritional supplement.
  • exemplary carbohydrates useful for sweetening the nutritional supplement include, but are not limited to, fructose, evaporated cane juice, inulin, agave, honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, malt syrup, date sugar, fruit juice concentrate, and mixed fruit juice concentrate.
  • Dietary fiber that may be suitable for use in the invention includes but is not limited to cellulose, seeds, hemicellulose (e.g., bran, whole grains), polyfructose (e.g., inulin and oligofructans), polysaccharide gums (e.g., Larch Arabinogalactan), oatmeal, barley, pectins, lignin, resistant starches.
  • suitable fiber sources include but are not limited to wheat bran, cellulose, oat bran, corn bran, guar, pectin, and psyllium.
  • the nutritional supplement can also contain other ingredients such as one or a combination of other vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber (e.g., ginkgo biloba, ginseng) and other nutritional supplements. Selection of one or several of these ingredients is a matter of formulation design, consumer and end-user preference.
  • the amount of these ingredients added to the nutritional supplements of this invention are readily known to the skilled artisan and guidance to such amounts can be provided by the RDA and DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) doses for children and adults.
  • Vitamins and minerals that can be added include, but are not limited to, calcium phosphate or acetate, tribasic; potassium phosphate, dibasic; magnesium sulfate or oxide; salt (sodium chloride); potassium chloride or acetate; ascorbic acid; ferric orthophosphate; niacin amide; zinc sulfate or oxide; calcium pantothenate; copper gluconate; riboflavin; beta-carotene; pyridoxine hydrochloride; thiamin mononitrate; folic acid; biotin; chromium chloride or picolinate; potassium iodide; selenium; sodium selenate; sodium molybdate; phylloquinone; Vitamin D3; cyanocobalamin; sodium selenite; copper sulfate; Vitamin A; Vitamin E; vitamin B6 and hydrochloride thereof; Vitamin C; inositol; Vitamin B12; potassium iodide.
  • the amount of other ingredients per unit serving is a matter of design and will depend upon the total number of unit servings of the nutritional supplement daily administered to the patient.
  • the total amount of other ingredients will also depend, in part, upon the condition of the patient.
  • the amount of other ingredients will be a fraction or multiplier of the RDA or DRI amounts.
  • the nutritional supplement will comprise 50% RDI (Reference Daily Intake) of vitamins and minerals per unit dosage and the patient will consume two units per day.
  • Flavors, coloring agents, spices, nuts and the like can be incorporated into the product. Flavorings can be in the form of flavored extracts, volatile oils, chocolate flavorings (e.g., non-caffeinated cocoa or chocolate, or chocolate substitutes, such as carob), peanut butter flavoring, cookie crumbs, crisp rice, vanilla or any commercially available flavoring. Flavorings can be protected with mixed tocopherols.
  • chocolate flavorings e.g., non-caffeinated cocoa or chocolate, or chocolate substitutes, such as carob
  • peanut butter flavoring e.g., peanut butter flavoring, cookie crumbs, crisp rice, vanilla or any commercially available flavoring.
  • Flavorings can be protected with mixed tocopherols.
  • useful flavorings include but are not limited to pure anise extract, imitation banana extract, imitation cherry extract, chocolate extract, pure lemon extract, pure orange extract, pure peppermint extract, imitation pineapple extract, imitation rum extract, imitation strawberry extract, or pure vanilla extract; or volatile oils, such as balm oil, bay oil, bergamot oil, cedarwood oil, cherry oil, walnut oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, or peppermint oil; peanut butter, chocolate flavoring, vanilla cookie crumb, butterscotch or toffee.
  • the nutritional supplement contains berry or other fruit flavors.
  • the food compositions may further be coated, for example with a yogurt coating, if it is produced as a bar.
  • Emulsifiers may be added for stability of the final product.
  • suitable emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, lecithin (e.g., from egg or soy), and/or mono- and di-glycerides.
  • lecithin e.g., from egg or soy
  • mono- and di-glycerides e.g., from egg or soy
  • Other emulsifiers are readily apparent to the skilled artisan and selection of suitable emulsifier(s) will depend, in part, upon the formulation and final product.
  • Preservatives may also be added to the nutritional supplement to extend product shelf life.
  • preservatives such as potassium sorbate, sodium sorbate, potassium benzoate, sodium benzoate or calcium disodium EDTA are used.
  • the nutritional supplement can contain artificial sweeteners, e.g., saccharides, cyclamates, aspartamine, aspartame, acesulfame K, and/or sorbitol.
  • artificial sweeteners can be desirable if the nutritional supplement is intended for an overweight or obese individual, or an individual with type II diabetes who is prone to hyperglycemia.
  • the nutritional supplements of the present invention may be formulated using any pharmaceutically acceptable forms of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients discussed above, including their salts. They may be formulated into capsules, tablets, powders, suspensions, gels or liquids optionally comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier, such as but not limited to water, milk, juice, sodas, starch, vegetable oils, salt solutions, hydroxymethyl cellulose, carbohydrate.
  • the nutritional supplements may be formulated as powders, for example, for mixing with consumable liquids, such as milk, juice, sodas, water or consumable gels or syrups for mixing into other nutritional liquids or foods.
  • the powdered form has particular consumer appeal, is easy to administer and incorporate into one's daily regimen, thus increasing the chances of patient compliance.
  • the nutritional supplements of this invention may be formulated with other foods or liquids to provide premeasured supplemental foods, such as single serving breakfast bars, energy bars, breads, cookies, brownies, crackers, cereals, cakes, or beverages, for example.
  • the nutritional supplement formulation may be administered as a dietary supplement or as an additive to a consumable carrier such as a foodstuff.
  • a consumable carrier such as a foodstuff.
  • the composition may be incorporated into a foodstuff that is later cooked or baked.
  • the components of the composition are structurally stable to remain un-oxidized and are heat stable at temperatures required for baking or cooking.
  • the beverage is a preferred nutritional supplement form due to its ability to aid in the sensation of satiety if consumed at least one half hour prior to meals.
  • the dry ingredients are added with the liquid ingredients in a mixer and mixed until the dough phase is reached; the dough is put into an extruder and extruded; the extruded dough is cut into appropriate lengths; and the product is ooled.
  • the ingredients comprising the nutritional supplement of this invention can be added to traditional formulations or they can be used to replace traditional ingredients.
  • Those skilled in food formulating will be able to design appropriate foods/beverages with the objective of this invention in mind.
  • the nutritional supplement can be made in a variety of forms, such as puddings, confections, (i.e., candy), nutritional beverages, ice cream, frozen confections and novelties, or baked or non-baked, extruded food products such as bars.
  • nutritional supplement is in the form of a powder for a beverage or a non-baked extruded nutritional bar.
  • the consumable carrier is a meat product, such as natural or cultured meat.
  • In vitro meat also known as cultured meat, is animal flesh that has never been part of a complete, living animal.
  • the process of developing in vitro meat involves taking muscle cells and applying a protein that helps the cells to grow into large portions of meat. Once the initial cells have been obtained, additional animals would not be needed—akin to the production of yogurt cultures.
  • the production of in vitro meat loose muscle cells and structured muscle, the latter one being vastly more challenging than the former.
  • Muscles consist of muscle fibers, long cells with multiple nuclei. Such cells do not proliferate by themselves, but arise when precursor cells fuse.
  • Precursor cells can be embryonic stem cells or satellite cells, specialized stem cells in muscle tissue.
  • the invention includes cultured meat that is engineered to express ZAG in sufficient quantities such that addition of recombinant ZAG is unnecessary.
  • the ingredients can be administered in a single formulation or they can be separately administered. For example, it may be desirable to administer a bitter tasting ingredient in a form that masks its taste (e.g., capsule or pill form) rather than incorporating it into the nutritional composition itself (e.g., powder or bar).
  • a pharmaceutical pack or kit comprising one or more containers filled with one or more of the ingredients of the nutritional compositions of the invention.
  • Optionally associated with such container(s) can be a notice in the form prescribed by a government agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceutical or dietary supplement products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, use of sale for human administration.
  • the pack or kit can be labeled with information regarding mode of administration, sequence of administration (e.g., separately, sequentially or concurrently), or the like.
  • the pack or kit may also include means for reminding the patient to take the therapy.
  • the pack or kit can be a single unit dosage of the combination therapy or it can be a plurality of unit dosages.
  • the agents can be separated, mixed together in any combination, present in a formulation or tablet. Agents assembled in a blister pack or other dispensing means is preferred.
  • the formulation includes about 1.0 mg to 1000 mg ZAG. In another embodiment, the formulation includes about 1.0 mg to about 500 mg ZAG. In another embodiment, the formulation includes about 1.0 mg to about 100 mg ZAG. In another embodiment, the formulation includes about 1.0 mg to about 50 mg ZAG. In another embodiment, the formulation includes about 1.0 mg to about 10 mg ZAG. In another embodiment, the formulation includes about 5.0 mg ZAG.
  • the invention provides the use of anti-ZAG antibodies, or functional fragments thereof, as herein defined, for the manufacture of a medicament useful in human medicine for treating symptoms and/or conditions associated with cachexia or diseases associated with muscle wasting disorders.
  • the formulation of the present invention is administered orally.
  • the formulation is at least 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% as effective as any other route of administration.
  • the total amount of formulation to be administered in practicing a method of the invention can be administered to a subject as a single dose, either as a bolus or by ingestion over a relatively short period of time, or can be administered using a fractionated treatment protocol, in which multiple doses are administered over a prolonged period of time (e.g., once daily, twice daily, etc.).
  • a fractionated treatment protocol in which multiple doses are administered over a prolonged period of time (e.g., once daily, twice daily, etc.).
  • the amount of formulation depends on many factors including the age and general health of the subject as well as the route of administration and the number of treatments to be administered. In view of these factors, the skilled artisan would adjust the particular dose as necessary.
  • the formulation of the pharmaceutical composition and the routes and frequency of administration are determined, initially, using Phase I and Phase II clinical trials.
  • the methods of the invention include an intervalled treatment regimen. It was observed that long-term daily administration of ZAG in ob/ob mice results in continuous weight loss.
  • the treatment of ZAG or anti-ZAG antibodies, alone or in combination with one or more ⁇ -AR antagonists or ⁇ 3-AR agonists is administered every other day.
  • the treatment is administered every two days.
  • the treatment is administered every three days.
  • the treatment is administered every four days.
  • Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein Attenuates Hyperglycemia
  • Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein (ZAG) to attenuate obesity and hyperglycemia ob/ob mice were administered ZAG which induced a loss of body weight, and a rise in body temperature, suggesting an increased energy expenditure.
  • ZAG Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein
  • Expression of uncoupling proteins-1 and -3 in brown adipose tissue were increased, while there was a decrease in serum levels of glucose, triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids, despite an increase in glycerol, indicative of increased lipolysis.
  • Dulbeccos' Modified Eagle's (DMEM) and Freestyle media were purchased from ivitrogen (Paisley, UK) while fetal calf serum was from Biosera (Sussex, UK).
  • 2-[1- 14 C] Deoxy-D-glucose (sp.act.1.85GBq mmol ⁇ 1 ) and L-[2,6- 3 H] phenylalanine (sp.act.37Bq mmol ⁇ 1 ) were from American Radiolabeled Chemicals (Cardiff, UK).
  • Rabbit polyclonal antibody to phospho (Thr-202) and total ERK1, total p38MAPK, phospho HSL (Ser-552), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), adipose triglyceride lipase, hormone sensitive lipase, and phospho PLA 2 (Ser-505) and to human ATGL were purchased from Abcam (Cambridge, UK).
  • Mouse monoclonal antibody to full length human ZAG was from Santa Cruz (California, USA), and mouse monoclonal antibody to myosin heavy chain type II was from Novacastra (via Leica Biosystems, Newcastle, UK).
  • Mouse monoclonal antibodies to 20S proteasome ⁇ -subunits and p42 were from Affiniti Research Products (Exeter, UK).
  • Mouse monoclonal antibody to phospho (Thr-180/Tyr-182) p38MAPK and rabbit polyclonal antisera to total and phospho (Thr-451) PKR, phospho (Ser-162) eIF2 ⁇ and to total eIF2 ⁇ were from New England Biosciences (Herts, UK).
  • Polyclonal rabbit antibodies to UCP1, UCP3 and total PKR and PHOSPHOSAFETM Extraction Reagent were from Calbiochem (via Merk Chemicals, Nottingham, UK).
  • Peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit and rabbit anti-mouse antibodies were purchased from Dako (Cambridge, UK).
  • Polyclonal rabbit antibody to mouse ⁇ -actin and the triglyceride assay kit were purchased from Sigma Aldrich (Dorset, UK).
  • Hybond A nitrocellulose membranes and enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) development kits were from Amersham Pharmacia Biotech (Bucks, UK).
  • a WAKO colorimetric assay kit for NEFA was purchased from Alpha Laboratories (Hampshire, UK), and a mouse insulin ELISA kit was purchased from DRG (Marburg, Germany). Glucose measurements were made using a Boots (Nottingham, UK) plasma glucose kit.
  • ZAG recombinant ZAG—HEK293F cells were transfected with full length human ZAG cDNA in the expression vector pcDNA 3.1, and maintained in FreeStyle medium under an atmosphere of 5% CO 2 in air at 37° C. ZAG was secreted into the medium, which was collected, and maximal protein levels (16 ⁇ gml ⁇ 1 ) were obtained after 14 days of culture.
  • media 200 ml was centrifuged at 700 g for 15 min to remove cells, and concentrated into a volume of 1 ml sterile PBS using an Amicon Ultra-15 centrifugal filter with a 10 kDa cut-off.
  • the concentrate (about 2 mg protein) was added to 2 g DEAE cellulose suspended in 20 ml 10 mM Tris, pH 8.8 and stirred for 2 h at 4° C.
  • the DEAE cellulose bound ZAG and it was sedimented by centrifugation (1500 g for 15 min) and the ZAG was eluted by stirring with 20 ml 10 mM Tris, pH8.8 containing 0.3M NaCl for 30 min at 4° C.
  • the eluate was washed and concentrated into a volume of lml in sterile PBS using an Amicon centrifugal filter.
  • the purified ZAG was free of endotoxin, as determined with a LAL Pyrogent single test kit (Lonza, Bucks, UK).
  • adipocytes Single-cell suspensions of white adipocytes were prepared from minced adipose deposits by incubation at 37° C. for 2 h in Krebs-Ringer biocarbonate buffer containing 1.5 mgml ⁇ 1 collagenase, and 4% bovine serum albumin under an atmosphere of 95% oxygen: 5% CO 2 as previously described.
  • adipocytes were suspended in DMEM containing 10% fetal calf serum at a concentration of 10 5 cells ml ⁇ 1 and maintained under an atmosphere of 10% CO, in air at 37° C.
  • Human 293 cells transfected with a plasmid containing human ZAG were seeded at a concentration of 10 5 cells ml ⁇ 1 in FreeStyle medium and maintained under an atmosphere of 5% CO 2 in air at 37° C. Maximal protein levels (16 ⁇ gml ⁇ 1 ) were obtained after 14 days of culture. The media (200 ml) was then centrifuged at 700 g for 15 min to remove cells and concentrated into a volume of 1 ml of sterile PBS using an Amicon Ultra-15 centrifugal filter with a 10 kDa cut-off.
  • mice Homozygous obese (ob/ob) mice from the colony maintained at Aston University were used in the present study. The origin and characteristics of Aston ob/ob mice have been previously described.
  • Body temperature was measured daily by the use of a rectal thermometer (RS Components, Northants, UK). All animal experiments were carried out in accordance with the U.K. Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. No adverse effects were observed after administration of ZAG.
  • the water content was then determined from the difference between the wet and dry weight.
  • Lipids were extracted from the dry carcass using a sequence of chloroform:methanol (1:1), ethanol/acetone (1:1) and diethyl ether (120 ml of each) as described by Lundholm et al (14). The solvents were evaporated and the fat weighed. The non-fat carcass mass was calculated as the difference between the initial weight of the carcass and the weight of water and fat.
  • Non-esterified fatty acids were determined using a Wako-ASC-ACOD kit (Wako Chemical GmbH, Neuss, Germany). Triglycerides were determined using a Triglyceride kit (Sigma Chemical Co., Poole, United Kingdom) and 3-hydroxybutyrate by a quantitative enzymatic determination kit (Sigma). Glucose was measured using a glucose analyser (Beckman, Irvine, Calif) and glycerol was determined enzymatically using the method of Wieland as described in “Methods of Enzymatic Analysis” (Ed. Bergmeyer, H. U.) Vol. 3, pp 1404-1409, published by Academic Press, London (1974).
  • adipocyte Plasma Membranes Isolation of Mouse Adipocyte Plasma Membranes.
  • white adipocytes were isolated from mouse epididymal fat pads as referred to above except that the cells were washed in 250 mM sucrose, 2 mM ethyleneglycol bis( ⁇ -aminoethylether)-N,N,N′,N′(EGTA), 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4).
  • Adipocytes were resuspended in 20 ml of the above buffer and homogenised by aspirating through a Swinny filter at least 10 times. The cell homogenate was then centrifuged at 300 g for 5 min, the fat cake removed from the surface and the remaining pellet and infranatant transferred to clean tubes.
  • Plasma membranes were separated from other organelle membranes on a self-forming gradient of PERCOLLTM colloidial silica particles.
  • the constituents were 250 mM sucrose, 2 mM EGTA, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4; PERCOLLTM; and 2M sucrose, 8 mM EGTA, 80 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, mixed in a ratio of 32:7:1 together with the membrane suspension (in a total volume of 8 ml).
  • This mixture was centrifuged at 10,000 g for 30 mM at 4° C.
  • the gradient was fractionated into 0.75 ml portions and each portion was assayed for the presence of succinate dehydrogenase, NADH-cytochrome c reductase, lactate dehydrogenase and 5′-nucleotidase to locate the plasma membrane fraction.
  • the membrane fractions were resuspended in 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EGTA, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4 and centrifuged at 10,000 g at 4° C. for 2 min. The process was repeated twice.
  • the washed plasma membranes were then diluted in 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 250 mM sucrose, 2 mM EGTA and 4 ⁇ M phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) at 1-2 mg/ml, snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at ⁇ 70° C. until use.
  • PMSF phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride
  • Lipolytic activity in rat adipocytes White adipocytes were prepared from finely minced epididymal adipose tissue of male Wistar rats (400g) using collagenase digestion, as described (Beck S A, et al. Production of lipolytic and proteolytic factors by a murine tumor-producing cachexia in the host. Cancer Res 47:5919-5923, 1987). Lipolytic activity was determined by incubating 10 5 -2 ⁇ 10 5 adipocytes for 2 h in 1 ml Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.2, and the extent of lipolysis was determined by measuring the glycerol released (Wieland O. Glycerol UV method.
  • Gel Electrophoresis Gels were prepared according to the method of Laemmli and generally consisted of a 5% stacking gel and a 15% SDS-PAGE resolving gel (denaturing or reducing conditions) or a 10% SDS-PAGE resolving gel (non-denaturing or non-reducing conditions). Samples were loaded at 1-5 ⁇ g/lane. Bands were visualized by staining either with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 or by silver. Samples were prepared for reducing conditions by heating for 5 min at 100° C. in 0.0625M Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, 10% glycerol, 1% SDS, 0.01% bromophenol blue and 5% 2-mercaptoethanol.
  • Glucose uptake into adipocytyes Isolated adipocytes (5 ⁇ 10 4 ) were washed twice in lml Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.2 (KRBS) and further incubated for 10 min at room temperature in 0.5 ml KRBS containing 18.5MBq 2-[1- 14 C] deoxy-D-glucose and non-radioactive 2-deoxy-D-glucose to a final concentration of 0.1 mM.
  • Uptake was terminated by the addition of lml ice-cold glucose-free KRBS, and the cells were washed three times with 1 ml KRBS, lysed by addition of 0.5 ml 1M NaOH and left for at least 1 h at room temperature before the radioactivity was determined by liquid scintillation counting.
  • Glucose uptake into gastrocnemius muscle Gastrocnemius muscles were incubated in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer for 45 min at 37° C. and then incubated for a further 10 min in 5 ml Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 185M Bq 2-[1- 14 C] deoxy-D-glucose and non-radioactive 2-deoxy-D-glucose to a final concentration of 0.1 mM. The muscles were then removed and washed in 0.9% NaCl for 5 min followed by dissolution in 0.5 ml 1M NaOH and the radioactivity was determined by liquid scintillation counting.
  • Glucose uptake into soleus muscle Soleus muscles were incubated in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer for 45min at 37° C. and then incubated for a further 10 min in 5 ml Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 185 MBq 2-[1- 14 C] deoxy-D-glucose and non-radioactive 2-deoxy-D-glucose to a final concentration of 0.1 mM. The muscles were then removed and washed in 0.9% NaCl for 5 min, followed by dissolution in 0.5 ml 1M NaOH and the radioactivity was determined by liquid scintillation counting.
  • the ‘chymotrypsin-like’ activity of the proteasome was determined fluorometrically by measuring the release of 7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) at an excitation wavelength of 360 nm and an emission wavelength of 460 nm from the fluorogenic substrate N-succinyl Lys Lys Val Tyr.AMC (SEQ ID NO: 2) as previously described for myotubes (Whitehouse, A. S. & Tisdale, M. J. Increased expression of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in murine myotubes by proteolysis-inducing factor (PIF) is associated with activation of the transcription factor NF- ⁇ B. Br. J.
  • Gastrocnemius muscle was homogenised in 20 mM Tris, pH7.5, 2 mM ATP, 5 mM MgCl 2 and 50 mM DTT at 4° C., sonicated and centrifuged at 18,000 g for 10 min at 4° C. to pellet insoluble material, and the resulting supernatant was used to measure ‘chymotrypsin-like’ enzyme activity in the presence or absence of the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin (10 ⁇ M). Only lactacystin suppressible activity was considered as true proteasome activity.
  • caspase-3 The activity of caspase-3 was determined by the release of AMC from AcAsp.Gly.Val.Asp.AMC (SEQ ID NO: 3), and the activity of caspase-8 was determined by the release of 7-amino-4-trifluromethylcoumarin (AFC) from the specific substrate Z-Ile Glu Phe Thr Asp-AFC (SEQ ID NO: 4), using the supernatant from above (50 ⁇ g protein), and either the caspase-3 or -8 substrate (10 ⁇ M) for 1 h at 37° C., in the presence or absence of the caspase-3 (AcAspGluValAsp-CHO) (SEQ ID NO: 5) or caspase-8 (Ile Glu Phe Thr Asp-CHO) (SEQ ID NO: 6) inhibitors (100 ⁇ M).
  • the increase in fluorescence due to AFC was determined as above, while the increase in fluorescence due to AFC was measured with an excitation wavelength of 400 nm and an emission wavelength of 505 nm.
  • the difference in values in the absence and presence of the caspase inhibitors was a measure of activity.
  • Both primary and secondary antibodies were used at a dilution of 1:1000 except anti-myosin (1:250). Incubation was for lh at room temperature, and development was by ECL. Blots were scanned by a densitometer to quantify differences.
  • Samples of epididymal WAT, BAT and gastrocnemius muscle excised from rats treated with ZAG or PBS for 5 days were homogenized in 0.25M sucrose, 1 mM HEPES, pH 7.0 and 0.2M EDTA, and then centrifuged for 10 min at 4,500 rpm.
  • Samples of cytosolic protein (10 ⁇ g) were resolved on 12% sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the proteins were then transferred onto 0.45 ⁇ m nitrocellulose membranes, which had been blocked with 5% Marvel in Tris-buffered saline, pH 7.5, at 4° C. overnight, and following four 15 min washes with 0.1% Tween in PBS, incubation with the secondary antibody was performed for 1 h at room temperature. Development was by ECL.
  • FIG. 1F The effect of ZAG on the body weight of ob/ob mice over a 5 day period is shown in FIG. 1F . While control animals remained weight stable, animals treated with ZAG showed a progressive weight loss, such that after 5 days there was a 3.5 g weight difference between the groups, despite equal food (PBS 32 ⁇ 3.1 g; ZAG 30 ⁇ 2.5 g) and water (PBS 140 ⁇ 8.2 ml; ZAG 135 ⁇ 3.2 ml) intake over the course of the experiment. There was a significant rise of body temperature of 0.4° C. after 4 days of ZAG administration ( FIG. 1G ), indicative of an increase in basal metabolic rate. Measurement of plasma metabolite levels suggest an increase in metabolic substrate utilization in ZAG treated animals (Table 1).
  • FIG. 2A a glucose tolerance test was performed, on fed animals, after 3 days of ZAG administration. While blood glucose levels were significantly elevated in PBS controls, there was only a small rise in ZAG treated animals, which remained significantly below the control group throughout the course of the study. In addition plasma insulin levels were significantly lower in ZAG treated animals at the onset of the study and remained so during the 60 min of observation ( FIG. 2B ). ZAG administration increased glucose uptake into epididymal, visceral and subcutaneous adipocytes in the absence of insulin and also increased glucose uptake into epididymal and visceral adipocytes in the presence of low (1 nM) insulin ( FIG. 2C ).
  • Glucose uptake into gastrocnemius muscle was also significantly enhanced in ZAG treated animals both in the absence and presence of insulin (100 nM) ( FIG. 2D ).
  • the glucose uptake in gastrocnemius muscle of ZAG treated mice was greater than the response to insulin in non-treated animals.
  • ZAG administration also attenuated the effect of hyperglycemia on skeletal muscle atrophy.
  • ob/ob mice treated with ZAG showed a significant increase in the wet weight of both gastrocnemius and soleus muscles (Table 1). This was associated with over a two-fold increase in protein synthesis in soles muscle ( FIG. 3A ), and a 60% decrease in protein degradation ( FIG. 3B ).
  • Gastrocnemius muscles from mice treated with ZAG showed a decreased activity of the proteasome ‘chymotrypsin-like’ enzyme activity ( FIG. 3C ), which was not significantly different from that found in non-obese mice, and a decreased expression of both the 20S proteasome a-subunits ( FIG.
  • PKA 2 phospholipase A 2
  • FIG. 4D p38 mitogen activated protein kinase
  • FIG. 4E caspases-3 and -8
  • ZAG but not isoprenaline increased expression of phospho HSL in adipocytes which was completely attenuated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059 14 . While ZAG increased expression of HSL in epididymal adipocytes there was no increase in either subcutaneous or visceral adipocytes ( FIGS. 5B-5D ). A similar situation was observed with expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) ( FIGS. 5E-5G ).
  • ERK extracellular signal-regulated kinase
  • HSL and ATGL correlated with expression of the active (phospho) form of ERK ( FIGS. 5H-5J ).
  • Expression of HSL and ATGL in epididymal adipocytes correlated with an increased lipolytic response to the ⁇ 3 agonist, BRL37344 ( FIG. 5K ). This result suggests that ZAG may act synergistically with ⁇ 3 agonists.
  • ZAG administration increased its expression in adipose tissue ( FIG. 6A ).
  • ZAG expression remained elevated, for a further 3 days in tissue culture in the absence of ZAG ( FIG. 6B ).
  • Expression of HSL was also elevated in adipocytes for 3 days in tissue culture in the absence of ZAG ( FIG. 6C ).
  • Administration of ZAG increased the expression of UCP1 ( FIG. 6D ) and UCP3 ( FIG. 6E ) in BAT ( FIG. 6D ) and UCP3 in skeletal muscle ( FIG. 6F ).
  • An increased expression of uncoupling proteins would be expected to channel metabolic substrates into heat as observed ( FIG. 1G ).
  • body temperature of the ob/ob mice increased 0.5° to 1° C. ( FIG. 1G ) within four days and peaked at 38.1° C. ( FIG. 7 ) just before they lost the maximum amount of weight. This would correlate with the weight of brown adipose tissue which increases from 0.33 ⁇ 0.12 g in the control to 0.52 ⁇ 0.08 g in the ZAG treated animals ( FIG. 7 ).
  • the weight of the gastrocnemius muscles was also increased from 0.2 ⁇ 0.05 g to 0.7 ⁇ 0.1 g, while there was a progressive decrease in urinary glucose excretion ( FIGS. 8A and 8B ).
  • FIG. 12A The effect of single daily i.v. injection of ZAG (50 ⁇ g/100 g b.w.) on the body weight of mature male Wistar rats (540 ⁇ 83g) is shown in FIG. 12A .
  • rats administered ZAG showed a progressive decrease in body weight, such that after 10 days, while rats treated with PBS showed a 13 g increase in body weight, animals treated with ZAG showed a 5 g decrease in body weight (Table 4).
  • ZAG administration increased expression of the uncoupling proteins (UCP)-1 and -3 in both BAT and WAT by almost two-fold ( FIGS. 13A and 13B), which would contribute to increased substrate utilization.
  • UCP uncoupling proteins
  • FIGS. 13A and 13B the lipolytic enzymes adipose triglyceride lipase
  • HSL hormone sensitive lipase
  • ATGL is mainly responsible for the hydrolysis of the first ester bond in a triacylglycerol molecule forming diacylgylcerol, while its conversion to monacylglycerol is carried out by HSL.
  • FIG. 16A skeletal muscle
  • WAT FIG. 16B
  • BAT FIG. 16C
  • Adipocytes were removed from mice after 5 days of ZAG and their responsiveness to isoprenaline (iso) was measured after culture in the absence of ZAG ( FIG. 9 ). The responsiveness to iso is higher in ZAG treated mice and this continues for a further 4 days (which was when expression of ZAG and HSL were increased) and then falls on day 5 (when expression was not increased) down to values of PBS control.
  • Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein Attenuates Muscle Atrophy in ob/ob Mouse
  • This example demonstrates the mechanism by which ZAG attenuates muscle atrophy in the ob/ob mouse using a newly developed in vitro model (Russell et al, Exp. Cell Res. 315, 16-25, 2009).
  • This utilizes murine myotubes subjected to high concentrations of glucose (10 or 25 mM).
  • high glucose stimulates an increase in protein degradation ( FIG. 18A ), and depresses protein synthesis ( FIG. 18B ), and both of these effects were completely attenuated by ZAG (25 ⁇ g/ml). It was therefore determined if the effect of ZAG was mediated through a ⁇ 3-AR using the antagonist SR59230A.
  • SR59230A can also act as a ⁇ -agonist, which it seemed to do in these experiments.
  • protein degradation induced by both 10 and 25 mM glucose was attenuated by both ZAG and the SR compound, and the combination was additive rather than antagonistic ( FIG. 19 ).
  • the SR compound seems to be similar to ZAG with no evidence of reversal, while with 10 mM glucose the SR compound causes an increase in the depression of protein synthesis.
  • Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein Attenuates ROS Formation
  • ROS reactive oxygen species
  • Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein Increases Insulin Tolerance
  • FIG. 23 An insulin tolerance test was also carried out in ob/ob mice administered ZAG for 3 days ( FIG. 23 ).
  • Animals were administered two doses of insulin (10 and 20 U/kg) by i.p. injection and blood glucose was measured over the next 60 min.
  • animals treated with ZAG showed an increased sensitivity to insulin (10 U/kg) than those given PBS.
  • This difference disappeared ( FIG. 23B ).
  • the glucose disappearance curve for 20 U/kg+PBS was almost identical to 10 U/kg+ZAG, so at this dose level ZAG is reducing the requirement for insulin by 50%, but this can be overcome by giving more insulin.
  • FIGS. 26-29 The data shown in FIGS. 26-29 is from a study where the ⁇ 3 agonist, BRL37344 was administered alone and in combination with an anti-ZAG antibody at 50 ⁇ g per day on a daily basis. Within 24 hours of administration, mice that were administered the antibody showed significant reduction in weight loss, as compared to mice administered BRL37344.
  • adipocytes from ZAG treated mice showed an increased response to isoprenaline (10 ⁇ M), and this was also maintained for 4 days in tissue culture in the absence of ZAG ( FIG. 9 ).
  • the increased response to isoprenaline is due to an increased expression of HSL by ZAG, and this was also maintained in tissue culture for 4 days in the absence of ZAG ( FIG. 6C ).
  • FIGS. 5B-5D An increased expression of HSL was only seen in ep adipocytes after 5 days ZAG ( FIGS. 5B-5D ), as was ATGL ( FIGS. 5E-5G ).
  • FIGS. 5H-5J There was an increase in expression of pERK only in ep adipose tissue ( FIGS. 5H-5J ), and an inhibitor of pERK (PD98059 10 ⁇ M) attenuated the increase in expression of HSL in ep adipocytes incubated with ZAG for 3 h ( FIG. 5A ).
  • ZAG increased expression of UCP1 and UCP3 in BAT ( FIGS. 6D and 6E ) and muscle ( FIG. 6F ) which would account for the increase in body temperature and fall in TG and NEFA in serum despite the increase in lipolysis.
  • ⁇ -adrenoreceptor ⁇ -AR
  • ZAG zinc- ⁇ 2-glycoprotein
  • Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein was first recognised to play a role in lipid metabolism when tryptic fragments of a lipid mobilizing factor (LMF), thought to be responsible for loss of adipose tissue in cancer cachexia, were shown to be identical in amino acid sequence to ZAG. Both ZAG and LMF were shown to be immunologically identical, and both stimulated lipolysis in murine adipocytes by the same amount, at the same concentration, by activation of adenylyl cyclase in a GTP-dependent process.
  • LMF lipid mobilizing factor
  • ZAG was also produced in normal tissues including liver, brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT), so that ZAG can be classified as an adipokine.
  • WAT brown adipose tissue
  • WAT white adipose tissue
  • ZAG mRNA showed negative correlation with body mass index (BMI), but a positive correlation with weight loss and serum glycerol levels.
  • BMI body mass index
  • ZAG mRNA levels in WAT have been shown to be downregulated in obesity and correlated negatively with fat mass, BMI, plasma insulin and leptin.
  • Treatment of ob/ob mice with ZAG decreased body weight and fat mass and improved the parameters of insulin resistance including decreasing plasma levels of glucose, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), improving insulin sensitivity, and increasing muscle mass.
  • NEFA non-esterified fatty acids
  • Serum ZAG levels have been found to be significantly lower in mice fed a high fat diet than those fed a normal diet, as well as in obese humans and mice. While ZAG overexpression in mice reduced both the body weight and weight of epididymal fat, ZAG knock-out animals showed an increased body weight, especially when fed a high fat diet. These results suggest that ZAG, like leptin, is closely associated with fat mass. However, while leptin is positively correlated with fat mass, ZAG is negatively correlated.
  • the lipolytic effect of ZAG was shown to be attenuated by the ⁇ 3-adrenoreceptor ( ⁇ 3-AR) antagonist, SR59230A, while LMF has been shown to bind to the ⁇ 3-AR through a high affinity binding site (Kd 78 ⁇ 4.5 nM).
  • ⁇ 3-AR ⁇ 3-adrenoreceptor
  • LMF has been shown to bind to the ⁇ 3-AR through a high affinity binding site (Kd 78 ⁇ 4.5 nM).
  • FCS total calf serum
  • DMEM Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium
  • PAA Somerset, UK
  • Freestyle media and Superscript II reverse transcriptase were purchased from Invitrogen (Paisley, UK).
  • 2-[1- 14 C] deoxy-D-glucose sp.act. 1.85 GBq mmol ⁇ 1 ) was purchased from American Radiolabeled Chemicals (Cardiff, UK).
  • Na [ 125 I] (specific radioactivity >17 Ci mg ⁇ 1 ) was purchased from Perkin Elmer Limited.
  • Chicken polyclonal antibody to ⁇ 3-AR and rabbit polyclonal antibodies to ⁇ 1-AR and ⁇ 2-AR were purchased from Abcam (Cambridge, UK) and peroxidise-conjugated goat anti-chicken antibody was from Santa Cruz (USA).
  • Polyclonal rabbit antibodies to UCP1 and UCP3 were from Calbiochem (via Merck Chemicals, Nottingham, UK).
  • Peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit antibody was from Dako (Cambridge, UK).
  • Polyclonal rabbit antibody to mouse ⁇ -actin, Tri-Reagent and propanolol were from Sigma Aldrich (Dorset, UK). Hybond A nitrocellulose membranes were from GE Healthcare (Bucks, UK).
  • the Parameter cyclic AMP assay kit was purchased from New England Biolabs (Hitchin, UK).
  • the iodo beads and enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) development kits were purchased from Thermo Scientific (Northumberland, UK).
  • a mouse insulin ELISA kit was purchased from DRG (Marburg, Germany) and glucose measurements were made using a Boots (Nottingham, UK) plasma glucose kit.
  • Primers for reverse transcription and Easy-A one tube RT.PCR system were from Agilent Technologies (Cheshire, UK).
  • Obese (ob/ob) hyperglycaemic mice having an average weight of 71 g were bred.
  • the background of these animals has been previously described (Bailey C J, et al. Influence of genetic background and age on the expression of the obese hyperglycaemic syndrome in Aston ob/ob mice. Int J Obes 6: 11-21, 1982), and they exhibit a more severe form of diabetes than C57BL/6J ob/ob mice.
  • Male mice (about 20 weeks of age) were grouped into three per cage and kept in an air conditioned room at 22 ⁇ 2° C., with ad libitum feeding of a rat and mouse breeding diet (Special Diet Services, Witham, UK) and tap water.
  • mice were administered ZAG (50 ⁇ g, i.v. in 100 ⁇ l PBS) or PBS daily with or without propanolol (40 mgkg ⁇ 1 , po, daily) and body weight and food and water intake were determined, as well as urinary glucose excretion and body temperature, determined by the use of a rectal thermometer (RS Components, Northants, UK).
  • RS Components RS Components, Northants, UK
  • a glucose tolerance test was performed on day 3.
  • Glucose (1 gkg ⁇ 1 in a volume of 100 ⁇ l) was administered orally to animals which had been fasted for 12 h. Blood samples were removed from the tail vein at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after glucose administration and used for the measurements of glucose and insulin. At the end of the experiment the animals were terminated by cervical dislocation, tissues removed and rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen, and maintained at ⁇ 80° C.
  • Human HEK293F cells which had been transfected with pcDNA3.1 containing human ZAG were maintained in Freestyle medium, containing neomycin (50 ⁇ gml ⁇ 1 ), under an atmosphere of 5% CO 2 in air. After 2 weeks of growth cells were removed by centrifugation (700 g for 15 min) and the medium was concentrated into a volume of lml sterile PBS using an Amicon Ultra-15 centrifugal filter with a M.W. cut-off of 10 kDa. The ZAG was purified as described (Russell S T and Tisdale M J, Antidiabetic properties of zinc- ⁇ 2-glycoprotein in ob/ob mice.
  • Endocrinol 151: 948-957, 2010 by binding to DEAE cellulose, since ZAG has a high electronegativity, and was eluted with 0.3 MNaCl.
  • the ZAG produced by this method was greater than 95% pure and was free of endotoxin, as determined by the LAL Pyrogent single test kit (Lonza).
  • the purified ZAG ras stored at 4° C. in PBS.
  • [ 125 I] labelling of ZAG One iodo bead that had been washed and dried was incubated with Na [ 125 I] (1 mCi per 100 ⁇ g protein) for 5 min in PBS, then ZAG (100 ⁇ g protein) was added and left for a further 15 min. The reaction was terminated by removal of the iodo bead, while free Na [ 125 I] was removed using a Sephadex G25 column eluted with 0.1MNal. The [ 125 I] ZAG was concentrated against PBS using a Microcon microconcentrator with a filter cut-off of Mr 10,000. The specific activity of the [ 125 I] ZAG was 8 Cimg protein 1 .
  • CHO-K1 cells transfected with the human ⁇ 1- and ⁇ 2-AR obtained from University of Nottingham, UK, while CHOK1 cells transfected with the ⁇ 3-AR were obtained from Astra Zeneca, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK.
  • Gene expression was under the control of hygromycin, together with a ⁇ -gal reporter construct, selected for resistance to G418. They were maintained in DMEM supplemented with 2 mM glutamine, hygromycin B (50 mgml ⁇ 1 ), G418 (200 mgml ⁇ 1 ), and 10% FCS, under an atmosphere of 10% CO 2 in air.
  • cyclic AMP production cells were grown in 24-well plates containing lml of nutrient medium. ZAG or isoproterenol at the concentrations shown in FIG. 51 were added to the cells and incubation was continued for 30min. The medium was removed and replaced with 0.5 ml of 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 5 mM EDTA and 0.1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine, and the plates were heated on a boiling water bath for 5 min and cooled on ice for 10 min. The concentration of cyclic AMP was determined with an ELISA assay.
  • the membranes were then precipitated by centrifugation at 13000 g for 20 min, the supernatant was removed and the [ 125 I] bound to the pellet was quantitated using a Packard Corbra Model 5005 Auto-gamma counter. Binding was analysed using non-linear regression analysis (GraphPad Prism, Version 5.04). Specific binding was regarded as the amount of labelled ZAG displaced by non-radioactive ZAG.
  • RNA isolation and RT-PCR RNA isolation and RT-PCR._Quantitation of the mRNA transcripts for ⁇ 1-, ⁇ 2- and ⁇ 3-AR in the three CHO-K1 cells was based on the methodology already described (Moniotte S, et al. Real-time RT-PCR for the detection of beta-adrenoceptor messanger RNAs in small human endomyocardial biopsies. J Mol Cell Cardiol 33: 2121-2133, 2001). Total RNA was extracted with Tri Reagent and quantitated by spectrophotometry, 800 ⁇ 34 ng total RNA was reverse transcribed, together with 2000pmol random hexamers as primers using Superscript II reverse transcriptase at 43° C. for 50 min.
  • the probe sequences were selected to obtain T m S approximately 10° C. lower than the matching primer pair.
  • PCR was carried out using Easy-A one tube RT.PCR system according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • the PCR conditions included a denaturing at 95° C. for 10 min, an annealing step at 42-65° C., and an extension step at 68° C. for 2 min, and with a final extension at 68° C. for 10 min. There were 40 cycles of amplification.
  • Expression of ⁇ -AR mRNA was determined by the ⁇ -CT method using Stratagenes MxPro, QPCR software v3.00.
  • Cytosolic protein (5 ⁇ g for UCP's and 20 ⁇ g for ⁇ -AR) was resolved on 12% sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gels by electrophoresis at 180V for about 1 h and transferred on to 0.45 ⁇ m nitrocellulose membranes, which had been blocked with 5% (w/v) non-fat dried milk (Marvel) in Tris-buffered saline, pH 7.5, at 4° C. overnight. Prior to adding the primary antibodies membranes were washed for 15min in 0.1% Tween 20-buffered saline. Both primary and secondary antibodies were used at a dilution of 1:1000. Incubation was for lh at room temperature and development was by ECL. Blots were scanned by a densitometer to quantify differences.
  • Glucose uptake into adipose tissue and skeletal muscle Uptake of 2-[1- 14 C] deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) into freshly isolated epididymal adipocytes and gastrocnemius muscle was determined as previously described (Russell S T and Tisdale M J, Antidiabetic properties of zinc- ⁇ 2-glycoprotein in ob/ob mice. Endocrinol 151: 948-957, 2010).
  • FIG. 51 The effect of human ZAG on cyclic AMP production in CHO cells transfected with human ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2 and ⁇ 3-AR is shown in FIG. 51 .
  • concentrations up to 460 nM
  • there was specific stimulation of cyclic AMP production only in cells transfected with the ⁇ 3-AR FIG. 51A .
  • 580 nM there was also a significant increase in cyclic AMP level in CHO cells transfected with the ⁇ 2-AR, although the magnitude of the change was less than in cells transfected with the ⁇ 3-AR.
  • There was no increase in cyclic AMP in CHO cells transfected with the ⁇ 1-AR at any concentration of ZAG FIG. 51A ).
  • isoprenaline (10 ⁇ M) showed significant increases in cyclic AMP level in CHO cells transfected with ⁇ 1-, ⁇ 2- and ⁇ 3-AR, showing the lack of specificity to the three isoforms of the ⁇ -AR ( FIG. 51B ).
  • the increase in cyclic AMP by isoprenaline through ⁇ 1-, ⁇ 2- and ⁇ 3-AR was attenuated by SR59230A, showing a lack of specificity of this agent to the ⁇ 3-AR.
  • ⁇ 2-AR and ⁇ 3-AR was determines by RT-PCR as described (Moniotte S, et al. Real-time RT-PCR for the detection of beta-adrenoceptor messanger RNAs in small human endomyocardial biopsies. J Mol Cell Cardiol 33: 2121-2133, 2001).
  • the data in FIG. 51C show that the level of expression of each ⁇ -AR is the same in relation to the housekeeping gene GAPDH.
  • the level of adenylate cyclase as determined by cyclic AMP production in the presence of forskolin, was also similar in the three cell lines ( FIG. 51D ).
  • the affinity of binding of ZAG to the three ⁇ -AR was determined using 125 I labelled ZAG and crude membranes from CHO-K1, ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2 and ⁇ 3 cells ( FIGS. 51E , F and G). The data was evaluated using non-linear regression analysis and the Kd and Bmax values are shown. The binding data reflect the stimulation of cyclic AMP production by ZAG as shown in FIG. 51A . Thus ZAG bound predominantly to ⁇ 3-AR (high Bmax and lowest Kd), less so to ⁇ 2-AR (Bmax 20% of ⁇ 3-AR and Kd twice ⁇ 3-AR), and not at all to ⁇ 1-AR (no Bmax and high Kd).
  • Non-specific binding was determined by the binding of [ 125 I] ZAG in the presence of 100 ⁇ M non-labelled ZAG, and these values were subtracted from the total binding to give the specific binding values.
  • the lipolytic activity of ZAG was shown to be destroyed by a single freezing and thawing cycle ( FIG. 51H ), probably due to a change in onformation of the protein.
  • ob/ob mice were treated with ZAG (50 ⁇ g, iv, daily), as previously reported (Russell S T and Tisdale M J, Antidiabetic properties of zinc- ⁇ 2-glycoprotein in ob/ob mice. Endocrinol 151: 948-957, 2010), in the absence and presence of the non-specific ⁇ -AR antagonist propanolol (40 mg kg ⁇ 1 , po, daily).
  • mice treated with ZAG showed an increased body temperature ( FIG. 52B ), and this was completely attenuated by propanolol, as was the reduction in the urinary excretion of glucose ( FIG. 52C ).
  • ZAG alone had no effect on liver lipids, although there was some increase in glycogen ( FIG. 52D ).
  • Propanolol also blocked the reduction in peak plasma glucose levels, and the area under the glucose curve (AUC) induced by ZAG in the oral glucose tolerance test ( FIG. 53A ), as well as the corresponding reduction in peak plasma insulin levels ( FIG. 53B ).
  • Animals treated with ZAG showed an increased glucose uptake into gastrocnemius muscle in the presence of insulin (10 nM) ( FIG.
  • FIG. 54 shows a two-fold increase in ⁇ 3-AR expression in gastrocnemius muscle ( FIG. 54A ) an 89% increase in BAT ( FIG. 54B ) and a 85% increase in WAT ( FIG. 54C ).
  • FIG. 55A shows a two-fold increase in ⁇ 3-AR expression in gastrocnemius muscle
  • FIG. 55B shows a two-fold increase in BAT
  • FIG. 55C shows a small increase in ⁇ 2-AR which just reached significance
  • ZAG binds predominantly to the ⁇ 3-AR, with intermediate binding to the ⁇ 2-AR, and no binding to the ⁇ 1-AR.
  • the human ⁇ 3-AR is 51% homologous in amino acid sequence to the ⁇ 1 -AR and 46% homologous to the ⁇ 2-AR.
  • the Bmax for ZAG binding to the ⁇ 3-AR is about three times that for the ⁇ 2-AR, while the Kd is about half.
  • the Kd for ZAG for binding to the ⁇ 3-AR is about 100-fold lower than that of CGP12177, a partial agonist, while the Bmax is only slightly lower.
  • ZAG would be maximally stimulating the ⁇ 2- and ⁇ 3-AR at normal plasma concentrations, which is clearly not correct. Care must be taken in interpreting plasma concentrations of ZAG using an ELISA, since there may be other components which bind to the anti-ZAG antibody, giving apparently higher concentrations. Thus ZAG has been shown to non-specifically bind to a monoclonal antihuman erythropoietin antibody giving apparently higher values in samples containing increased amounts of urinary ZAG.
  • ⁇ 3-AR agonists show anti-obesity effects in rodent models similar to ZAG, which induced an increased mobilisation of triglycerides from WAT depots, increased fat oxidation, and increased BAT-mediated thermogenesis, resulting in a selective reduction in body fat and preservation of fat-free mass.
  • the anti-diabetic effects of ⁇ 3-AR agonists are independent of the anti-obesity effects, and occur at dose levels which do not induce weight loss.
  • ⁇ 3-AR agonist BRL 35135 normalised plasma glucose levels and significantly decreased plasma insulin and non esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels.
  • NEFA non esterified fatty acid
  • ZAG BRL 35135 stimulated Glucose uptake into three types of skeletal muscle, BAT, WAT, heart and diaphragm, which was independent of the action of insulin.
  • Another ⁇ 3-agonist L-796568 increased lipolysis and energy expenditure in obese men when administered as a single dose.
  • treatment for 28 days had no major lipolytic or thermogenic effect, although it lowered triacylglycerol concentration. This may be due to insufficient recruitment of ⁇ 3-AR responsive tissues in humans, or down-regulation of ⁇ 3-AR with chronic dosing.
  • the reduced ⁇ 3-AR mediated lipolysis and fat oxidation seen in obese subjects may be due to low levels of ZAG, and that administration of ZAG could improve sensitivity.
  • ZAG administration to ob/ob mice increased sensitivity of epididymal adipocytes to the lipolytic effect of the ⁇ 3-AR agonist, BRL 37344.
  • the ability of ZAG to induce expression of ⁇ 3-AR would explain the lack of response of adipose tissue from ZAG ‘knock-out mice’ to the lipolytic effect of the ⁇ 3-AR agonist CL316243.
  • ⁇ 3-AR agonists have been shown to induce upregulation of UCP1 in BAT through stimulation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) downstream of cyclic AMP/protein kinase A, leading to activation (phosphorylation) of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ⁇ coactivator 1 (PCG-1 ⁇ ), as well as ATF-2, allowing the CRE and PPAR elements of the UCP1 enhancer to be occupied.
  • p38 MAPK mitogen activated protein kinase
  • PPAR peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
  • PCG-1 ⁇ peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
  • ZAG is a naturally occurring ligand with selective agonist activity towards the ⁇ 3-AR. Very few proteins display such activity, although the hypotensive peptide adrenomedullin may also activate ⁇ 3-AR leading to relaxation of ileal muscle. Since ZAG is much larger than the normal catecholamine agonists it is possible that activation occurs through allosteric modulation. However, previous studies using LMF have shown binding to be completely attenuated by propranolol, suggesting direct interaction with a ⁇ 3-AR. It is likely that only part of the ZAG molecule is required for binding, since evidence suggested that tryptic fragments of a lipolytic factor (Mr about 5 kDa) were still biologically active.
  • Mr lipolytic factor
  • ⁇ 3-AR agonists such as BRL37344 have been shown to increase ZAG expression in adipocytes, and induction of ZAG expression by ZAG has also been suggested to occur through a ⁇ 3-AR.
  • ZAG is a natural agonist of ⁇ 2- and ⁇ 3-AR.
  • the goal of the study was to [explore the mechanism of net protein gain in ob/ob mice when treated with ZAG.
  • ZAG treatment experiments it is observed that ob/ob mice lose significant body fat but simultaneously gain a (countervailing) amount of muscle mass as protein.
  • Protein synthesis was measured by the incorporation of L-[2,6-3H] phenylalanine into acid-insoluble material with 2 h incubation at 37° C. without phenol red and saturated with O2CO2 (95:5). The rate of protein synthesis was calculated by dividing the amount of protein-bound radioactivity by the amount of acid soluble radioactivity.
  • Protein degradation was determined by the release of tyrosine (21) from gastrocnemius muscle over 2 h in oxygenated Krebs-Henselit buffer containing 5 mM glucose and 0.5 mM cycloheximide.
  • results shown in FIG. 30 indicate indicate that the net protein gain in skeletal muscle is a consequence of both a slowing of protein degradation and an increase in protein synthesis.
  • the goal of the study was to explore the ability of ZAG to generate weight loss through fat loss and lowering of plasma and urinary glucose levels over an extended period of time and by means of oral administration of ZAG.
  • recombinant human ZAG administered orally was able to generate the same set of responses as intravenous administration of recombinant human ZAG, and was able to do so without entering the plasma space from the digestive space of the body.
  • a novel mechanism of action is at work to transduce the signal of recombinant human ZAG present in the digestive space, causing generation of endogenous murine ZAG in the plasma space and WAT and other tissues, as seen in FIGS. 34 and 35 .
  • ZAG administration p.o generally duplicates the results obtained by i.v. administration. This wide range of effects includes significant weight loss ( FIGS. 31 , 36 , 41 , 47 ), a slight increase in body temperature emblematic of increased energy expenditure ( FIGS. 32 , 37 , 43 ), a lowering of urinary and plasma glucose ( FIGS. 33 , 42 ), and a significant improvement in response to the oral glucose tolerance test ( FIGS. 40 , 48 ).
  • the mechanism of action mirrors that of intraveneous injection, with a critical difference.
  • the mechanisms are similar in that there is a wide-ranging set of responses in WAT, BAT, plasma, liver and skeletal muscle that are identical.
  • the critical difference is that the orally-administered rhZAG never enters the space occupied by blood and the body's organs. Instead the administered rhZAG remains in the digestive system space, persisting 24 hours or longer in the stomach.
  • the surprising and critical difference in mechanism is that the animal responds to oral dosing of rhZAG by creating its own endogenous ZAG, which mediates the subsequent set of responses named above.
  • FIG. 38 shows that propranolol blocks the increase in murine serum ZAG due to treatment with rhZAG p.o. Additionally, FIG. 39 shows that human ZAG is not detected in mouse serum.
  • Zinc- ⁇ 2 -glycoprotein Achieves Loss of Body Fat and a Simultaneous Gain in Muscle Mass in Skeletal Muscles
  • the goal of the study was to compare the efficacy of ZAG via various routes of administration. Mice were orally administered 50 ⁇ g ZAG or PBS (control). The results of are shown in FIGS. 31 , 32 , 33 (8 day oral ZAG study); 36 , 37 , 40 (8 day oral ZAG plus propranolol study); and FIGS. 47 , 48 (oral ZAG gavage study).
  • ZAG was unexpectedly shown to be effective in bringing about weight change when administered orally by simply mixing low doses of ZAG in the drinking water of mice without requiring systemic absorption of administered ZAG
  • Typical oral dosing of proteins, such as insulin can require up to 10 ⁇ (or mega dosing) the intravenous dose to achieve the same level of efficacy and such limited efficacy requires systemic absorption of such proteins.
  • Oral dosing with rhZAG causes the animals to generate endogenous ZAG in response, as shown in FIGS. 34 , 35 and 38 .
  • Propranolol blocks the increase in murine serum ZAG due to treatment with rhZAG p.o. ( FIG. 38 ), but administered human ZAG is not found in plasma ( FIG. 39 ).
  • FIG. 38 is a Western blot of ZAG using Anti-mouse ZAG in mouse serum from Mice treated with and without ZAG in the absence or presence of propranonol. Human ZAG is not detected in mouse serum.
  • FIG. 39 is a Western blot of ZAG using Anti-human ZAG in mouse serum from Mice treated with and without ZAG in the absence or presence of propranonol ( FIG. 39 ).

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Diabetes (AREA)
  • Endocrinology (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Nutrition Science (AREA)
  • Obesity (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Physiology (AREA)
  • Dermatology (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Mycology (AREA)
  • Neurology (AREA)
  • Oncology (AREA)
  • Communicable Diseases (AREA)
  • Virology (AREA)
US13/805,190 2010-06-25 2011-06-27 Glycoproteins Having Lipid Mobilizing Properties an Therapeutic Uses Thereof Abandoned US20130143797A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/805,190 US20130143797A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2011-06-27 Glycoproteins Having Lipid Mobilizing Properties an Therapeutic Uses Thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US35859610P 2010-06-25 2010-06-25
US38465210P 2010-09-20 2010-09-20
US42067710P 2010-12-07 2010-12-07
PCT/GB2011/000966 WO2011161427A2 (en) 2010-06-25 2011-06-27 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
US13/805,190 US20130143797A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2011-06-27 Glycoproteins Having Lipid Mobilizing Properties an Therapeutic Uses Thereof

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2011/000966 A-371-Of-International WO2011161427A2 (en) 2010-06-25 2011-06-27 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/266,371 Continuation US20140235534A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2014-04-30 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130143797A1 true US20130143797A1 (en) 2013-06-06

Family

ID=44584798

Family Applications (5)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/805,190 Abandoned US20130143797A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2011-06-27 Glycoproteins Having Lipid Mobilizing Properties an Therapeutic Uses Thereof
US14/266,371 Abandoned US20140235534A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2014-04-30 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
US15/238,051 Active - Reinstated US10077295B2 (en) 2010-06-25 2016-08-16 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
US16/131,955 Abandoned US20190002512A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2018-09-14 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
US16/930,687 Pending US20200339642A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2020-07-16 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof

Family Applications After (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/266,371 Abandoned US20140235534A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2014-04-30 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
US15/238,051 Active - Reinstated US10077295B2 (en) 2010-06-25 2016-08-16 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
US16/131,955 Abandoned US20190002512A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2018-09-14 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
US16/930,687 Pending US20200339642A1 (en) 2010-06-25 2020-07-16 Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (5) US20130143797A1 (de)
EP (2) EP3459558B1 (de)
JP (2) JP2013530981A (de)
CN (1) CN103068400A (de)
AU (2) AU2011268780A1 (de)
DK (1) DK3459558T3 (de)
ES (1) ES2706913T3 (de)
WO (1) WO2011161427A2 (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019066590A1 (ko) * 2017-09-29 2019-04-04 주식회사 엘앤씨바이오 Zag 유래 펩타이드 및 그의 용도
US10335380B2 (en) 2013-05-10 2019-07-02 CNIC Fundacion Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Compounds suitable for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms as well as methods for the diagnosis/prognosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms
KR20190111870A (ko) * 2016-04-06 2019-10-02 연세대학교 산학협력단 항알러지 약학 조성물 및 알러지성 질환의 예방용 또는 치료용 약학 조성물
US20200022385A1 (en) * 2016-09-30 2020-01-23 Kirin Kabushiki Kaisha Low-carbohydrate squeezed carrot juice and carrot-containing beverage
US10688044B2 (en) 2018-03-19 2020-06-23 Bryn Pharma, LLC Epinephrine spray formulations
WO2022234868A1 (ko) * 2021-05-03 2022-11-10 주식회사 엘앤씨바이오 Zag 유래 펩타이드를 포함하는 흉터 및 켈로이드 개선용 조성물

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008089521A1 (en) 2007-01-25 2008-07-31 Verva Pharmaceuticals Ltd Insulin sensitisers and methods of treatment
CN103068400A (zh) 2010-06-25 2013-04-24 阿斯顿大学 具有脂类动员性质的糖蛋白及其治疗用途
ITRM20120214A1 (it) * 2012-05-14 2013-11-15 Alfonso Baldi Metodo in vitro per la diagnosi di endometriosi.
US20150174108A1 (en) * 2012-05-24 2015-06-25 Vera Pharmaceuticals Ltd Method of weight reduction
CA2879250A1 (en) 2012-07-31 2014-02-06 Aston University Targeted oesophageal administration of zn-.alpha.2-glycoproteins (zag), methods and formulations thereof
ES2394349B1 (es) * 2012-08-29 2013-11-04 Fundación Centro Nacional De Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos Iii Uso de agonistas selectivos de receptores beta-3 adrenérgicos para el tratamiento de hipertensión pulmonar
IT201600130491A1 (it) * 2016-12-23 2018-06-23 Azienda Ospedaliero Univ Meyer Uso di composti β-bloccanti per il trattamento dell’immuno-tolleranza associata a stati patologici
JP2019034926A (ja) * 2017-08-10 2019-03-07 小林製薬株式会社 加齢性肥満改善剤及び脂肪分解力改善剤
WO2023028602A1 (en) * 2021-08-27 2023-03-02 The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Texas System Beta adrenergic receptor compositions and methods of use thereof

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6890899B1 (en) * 1998-05-29 2005-05-10 Michael J Tisdale Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic applications thereof

Family Cites Families (45)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4444887A (en) 1979-12-10 1984-04-24 Sloan-Kettering Institute Process for making human antibody producing B-lymphocytes
US4716111A (en) 1982-08-11 1987-12-29 Trustees Of Boston University Process for producing human antibodies
GB8308235D0 (en) 1983-03-25 1983-05-05 Celltech Ltd Polypeptides
US4816567A (en) 1983-04-08 1989-03-28 Genentech, Inc. Recombinant immunoglobin preparations
US5807715A (en) 1984-08-27 1998-09-15 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Methods and transformed mammalian lymphocyte cells for producing functional antigen-binding protein including chimeric immunoglobulin
US5225539A (en) 1986-03-27 1993-07-06 Medical Research Council Recombinant altered antibodies and methods of making altered antibodies
GB8607679D0 (en) 1986-03-27 1986-04-30 Winter G P Recombinant dna product
US4946778A (en) 1987-09-21 1990-08-07 Genex Corporation Single polypeptide chain binding molecules
US5132405A (en) 1987-05-21 1992-07-21 Creative Biomolecules, Inc. Biosynthetic antibody binding sites
GB8823869D0 (en) 1988-10-12 1988-11-16 Medical Res Council Production of antibodies
US5530101A (en) 1988-12-28 1996-06-25 Protein Design Labs, Inc. Humanized immunoglobulins
US5413923A (en) 1989-07-25 1995-05-09 Cell Genesys, Inc. Homologous recombination for universal donor cells and chimeric mammalian hosts
GB8928874D0 (en) 1989-12-21 1990-02-28 Celltech Ltd Humanised antibodies
SG48759A1 (en) 1990-01-12 2002-07-23 Abgenix Inc Generation of xenogenic antibodies
GB9015198D0 (en) 1990-07-10 1990-08-29 Brien Caroline J O Binding substance
US5814318A (en) 1990-08-29 1998-09-29 Genpharm International Inc. Transgenic non-human animals for producing heterologous antibodies
EP0546073B1 (de) 1990-08-29 1997-09-10 GenPharm International, Inc. Produktion und Nützung nicht-menschliche transgentiere zur Produktion heterologe Antikörper
US5633425A (en) 1990-08-29 1997-05-27 Genpharm International, Inc. Transgenic non-human animals capable of producing heterologous antibodies
US5625126A (en) 1990-08-29 1997-04-29 Genpharm International, Inc. Transgenic non-human animals for producing heterologous antibodies
US5545806A (en) 1990-08-29 1996-08-13 Genpharm International, Inc. Ransgenic non-human animals for producing heterologous antibodies
US5661016A (en) 1990-08-29 1997-08-26 Genpharm International Inc. Transgenic non-human animals capable of producing heterologous antibodies of various isotypes
DE69233482T2 (de) 1991-05-17 2006-01-12 Merck & Co., Inc. Verfahren zur Verminderung der Immunogenität der variablen Antikörperdomänen
IE922437A1 (en) 1991-07-25 1993-01-27 Idec Pharma Corp Recombinant antibodies for human therapy
US5565332A (en) 1991-09-23 1996-10-15 Medical Research Council Production of chimeric antibodies - a combinatorial approach
DE69233782D1 (de) 1991-12-02 2010-05-20 Medical Res Council Herstellung von Autoantikörpern auf Phagenoberflächen ausgehend von Antikörpersegmentbibliotheken
HU218069B (hu) 1992-06-09 2000-05-28 Hoppe Ag. Kilincses zárrendszer
US5639641A (en) 1992-09-09 1997-06-17 Immunogen Inc. Resurfacing of rodent antibodies
EP1978033A3 (de) 1995-04-27 2008-12-24 Amgen Fremont Inc. Aus immunisiertem Xenomid abgeleitete menschliche Antikörper
CA2219486A1 (en) 1995-04-28 1996-10-31 Abgenix, Inc. Human antibodies derived from immunized xenomice
US5916771A (en) 1996-10-11 1999-06-29 Abgenix, Inc. Production of a multimeric protein by cell fusion method
ES2301183T3 (es) 1996-12-03 2008-06-16 Amgen Fremont Inc. Anticuerpo completamente humano que se une al receptor del egfr.
RU2224766C2 (ru) 1997-04-14 2004-02-27 Микромет Аг Способ получения рецепторов для человеческих антигенов и их применение
US6235883B1 (en) 1997-05-05 2001-05-22 Abgenix, Inc. Human monoclonal antibodies to epidermal growth factor receptor
WO1999031222A1 (en) 1997-12-18 1999-06-24 Willem Frederik Van Eelen Industrial scale production of meat from in vitro cell cultures
US20030236190A1 (en) * 1998-09-02 2003-12-25 Renuka Pillutla Isulin and IGF-1 receptor agonists and antagonists
AUPQ981700A0 (en) * 2000-09-01 2000-09-28 Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Limited Product and method for control of obesity
US6835390B1 (en) 2000-11-17 2004-12-28 Jon Vein Method for producing tissue engineered meat for consumption
WO2003037915A1 (en) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-08 Biopolymed Inc. Biocompatible polymers including peptide spacer
WO2003064462A1 (fr) * 2002-02-01 2003-08-07 Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha Pth a liaison peg ou derive de pth a liaison peg
GB0313259D0 (en) * 2003-06-09 2003-07-16 Consejo Superior Investigacion Magnetic nanoparticles
WO2008132229A2 (en) * 2007-04-30 2008-11-06 Novo Nordisk A/S Highly concentrated insulin solutions and compositions
US20100173829A1 (en) * 2008-11-07 2010-07-08 Aston University Glycoproteins Having Lipid Mobilizing Properties and Therapeutic Uses Thereof
CA2802635A1 (en) 2010-06-18 2011-12-22 Xiberscience Gmbh Peptides as active agents to stabilize biologic barriers
CN103068400A (zh) * 2010-06-25 2013-04-24 阿斯顿大学 具有脂类动员性质的糖蛋白及其治疗用途
CA2879250A1 (en) * 2012-07-31 2014-02-06 Aston University Targeted oesophageal administration of zn-.alpha.2-glycoproteins (zag), methods and formulations thereof

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6890899B1 (en) * 1998-05-29 2005-05-10 Michael J Tisdale Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic applications thereof

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10335380B2 (en) 2013-05-10 2019-07-02 CNIC Fundacion Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Compounds suitable for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms as well as methods for the diagnosis/prognosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms
KR20190111870A (ko) * 2016-04-06 2019-10-02 연세대학교 산학협력단 항알러지 약학 조성물 및 알러지성 질환의 예방용 또는 치료용 약학 조성물
KR102106466B1 (ko) 2016-04-06 2020-05-28 연세대학교 산학협력단 항알러지 약학 조성물 및 알러지성 질환의 예방용 또는 치료용 약학 조성물
US20200022385A1 (en) * 2016-09-30 2020-01-23 Kirin Kabushiki Kaisha Low-carbohydrate squeezed carrot juice and carrot-containing beverage
WO2019066590A1 (ko) * 2017-09-29 2019-04-04 주식회사 엘앤씨바이오 Zag 유래 펩타이드 및 그의 용도
US10688044B2 (en) 2018-03-19 2020-06-23 Bryn Pharma, LLC Epinephrine spray formulations
US10925841B2 (en) 2018-03-19 2021-02-23 Bryn Pharma, LLC Epinephrine spray formulations
US11000489B2 (en) 2018-03-19 2021-05-11 Bryn Pharma, LLC Epinephrine spray formulations
US11723884B2 (en) 2018-03-19 2023-08-15 Bryn Pharma, LLC Epinephrine spray formulations
WO2022234868A1 (ko) * 2021-05-03 2022-11-10 주식회사 엘앤씨바이오 Zag 유래 펩타이드를 포함하는 흉터 및 켈로이드 개선용 조성물

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3459558B1 (de) 2020-07-29
EP2585097B1 (de) 2018-09-26
US20190002512A1 (en) 2019-01-03
US10077295B2 (en) 2018-09-18
AU2011268780A1 (en) 2013-02-07
JP6312748B2 (ja) 2018-04-18
EP3459558A1 (de) 2019-03-27
WO2011161427A2 (en) 2011-12-29
JP2016199568A (ja) 2016-12-01
AU2017201718A1 (en) 2017-03-30
ES2706913T3 (es) 2019-04-01
AU2017201718B2 (en) 2018-12-20
US20170088594A1 (en) 2017-03-30
DK3459558T3 (da) 2020-11-02
EP2585097A2 (de) 2013-05-01
US20140235534A1 (en) 2014-08-21
JP2013530981A (ja) 2013-08-01
CN103068400A (zh) 2013-04-24
WO2011161427A3 (en) 2012-03-08
US20200339642A1 (en) 2020-10-29
AU2017201718C1 (en) 2019-09-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20200339642A1 (en) Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
US20240000888A1 (en) Glycoproteins having lipid mobilizing properties and therapeutic uses thereof
EA036757B1 (ru) Фармацевтические композиции для комбинированной терапии
JPWO2006061992A1 (ja) 肝疾患予防・治療用組成物
KR102173183B1 (ko) Fas 신호전달 억제용 펩티드를 포함하는 비만, 지방간 또는 지방간염의 예방 또는 치료용 약학적 조성물
US20220211809A1 (en) Targeted oesophageal administration of zn-alpha2-glycoproteins (zag), methods and formulations thereof
EP2780029A1 (de) Orale leptinformulierungen und ihre verwendung
WO2013141202A1 (ja) 筋増加剤、及び筋増加物質のスクリーニング方法
US20150132344A1 (en) Oral Leptin Formulations and Uses Thereof
Olowookere The effect of total milk protein, casein and whey protein ingestion on blood glucose and insulin in rats
WO2023192259A1 (en) Synergy for increasing insulin sensitivity
Gu et al. Reduced expression of transmembrane protein 43 during cardiac hypertrophy leading to deteriorating heart failure in mice
Simons Cancer cachexia
Lourenço et al. Organic consequences of ileal transposition in rats with diet-induced obesity

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ASTON UNIVERSITY, UNITED KINGDOM

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TISDALE, MICHAEL J.;RUSSELL, STEVEN;REEL/FRAME:029801/0516

Effective date: 20130205

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION