FGF8b Polypeptide Inducing White to Brown Adipocyte Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for obesity and related metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and dyslipidemia, are inadequate due to the limited amount of brown adipose tissue in adults, particularly overweight individuals, which hinders effective thermogenesis and energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
The use of paracrine FGFs, specifically FGF8b and FGF8f, to induce the differentiation or conversion of white adipocytes to brown adipocytes, increasing the mass of active brown adipose tissue through local administration, particularly in visceral adipose tissue, thereby enhancing energy dissipation and improving metabolic health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current treatments for obesity and metabolic disorders are used, then treatment is provided, but the treatments are inadequate due to limited brown adipose tissue mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biological state of adipose tissue by inducing differentiation of white adipocytes into brown adipocytes through FGF8b treatment, thereby transforming the tissue's functional properties from energy storage to energy dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses FGF8b as an intermediary substance to mediate the conversion of white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue, enabling therapeutic effects without directly manipulating the adipocytes themselves
2Use of energy by moving object
If white adipose tissue is converted to brown adipose tissue, then energy expenditure is enhanced, but this requires inducing differentiation of adipocytes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables white adipocytes to self-differentiate into brown adipocytes through FGF8b treatment, utilizing the cells' inherent plasticity and differentiation capacity without requiring external cellular manipulation techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phenotypic parameters of adipocytes by inducing expression of brown adipocyte-specific genes and proteins, thereby transforming the tissue's metabolic function from anabolic to catabolic
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively increases brown adipose tissue, leading to improved energy expenditure, weight loss, and enhanced insulin sensitivity, providing a therapeutic means for obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia by converting energy-storing white fat into energy-dissipating brown fat, thus addressing the limitations of existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
induce the differentiation or conversion of white adipocytes to brown adipocytes
Implementation Method 2
The primary function of brown adipose tissue is to produce body heat in mammals without the necessity to shiver
Implementation Method 3
body heat is produced by signaling the mitochondria to allow protons to run back along the proton gradient without producing ATP (proton leak). This is realized by the uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1 or thermogenin)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present invention relates to polypeptides for use in treating diseases or disorders of energy homeostasis such as obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia or the metabolic syndrome. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides for use in treating diseases or disorders of energy homeostasis. Also provided by the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said polypeptides and polynucleotides for use in treating diseases or disorders of energy homeostasis. Said polypeptides, polynucleotides and pharmaceutical compositions may be administered locally, in particular locally into the visceral adipose tissue. Another aspect of the invention relates to a cosmetic product and the use of said cosmetic product for reducing body weight, in particular for reducing abdominal adipose tissue.