Invention Description
Obesity and related metabolic diseases are increasing in prevalence in the US and worldwide. They are difficult to treat with traditional therapies such as lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy, and various surgical procedures because of low compliance, low efficacy, high side effects and cost. One promising new approach focuses on activating the body’s natural ability to brown white adipose tissue (WAT) to promote thermogenesis. However, technical breakthroughs have been limited and inconclusive. Many browning agents have the potential to induce adipose stromal stem cells (ASC) differentiation into beige adipocytes in WAT, however they suffer from poor solubility, low bioavailability, and non-specific delivery. Nanoparticle systems, especially when paired with ASC-targeting peptides, offer a way to deliver these agents more effectively and safely.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a technology that uses a novel ASC-targeting peptide coated to nanoparticles that encapsulate browning agents for delivery to ASCs to increase beige adipocyte formation. By enhancing solubility, bioavailability, and targeting specificity, these nanoparticles stimulate beige adipocyte formation, leading to reduced body weight with fewer side effects compared to non-targeted therapies. This technology supports multiple administration routes including intravenous injection, local injection and transdermal patches, making it versatile for treating obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases.
These innovative ASC-targeting nanoparticles enhance delivery of browning agents to fat tissue for promoting body weight and fat loss and combating obesity and related diseases and disorders.
Potential Applications
- Prevention and treatment of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other obesity-related metabolic diseases or disorders
- Preventing and treating breast cancer and other types of cancers
- Regenerative medicine involving adipose tissue remodeling
- Pharmaceutical development for targeted obesity therapies
- Wrinkle reduction
Benefits and Advantages
- High specificity targeting of ASCs using a novel peptide
- Improved solubility and bioavailability of encapsulated browning agents
- Enhanced cellular delivery and reduced off-target effects
- Scalable nanoparticle preparation via sonication method
- Multiple routes of administration (intravenous, transdermal)
- Supports treatment of a broad range of metabolic and degenerative diseases
- Demonstrated efficacy in animal models with reduced body weight outcomes