ComBio 2003: Hormone shows promise as metabolism regulator

A fat-derived hormone identified using proteomic techniques may have therapeutic uses related to its role as a regulator of lipid metabolism in the liver and arteries.

Speaking at the ComBio 2003 conference yesterday, University of Auckland professor Garth Cooper, who also heads New Zealand biotech company Protemix, said the active glycosylated form of the hormone adiponectin was identified using differential proteomics techniques to compare proteins expressed in fat cells, or adipocytes, and their precursors.

Circulating adiponectin is decreased in animal models and humans with type 2 diabetes, and treatment of obese animals with the hormone reverses insulin resistance and causes sustained weight loss without reduction in food intake.

Studies performed by Cooper's team have also demonstrated that treatment with purified preparations of the active hormone can reverse liver damage caused by chronic alcohol exposure and obesity in mouse models. In addition to regulating lipid metabolism, the hormone also has anti-TNF alpha properties, suggesting that it may be useful as a treatment for inflammatory conditions.

Cooper said the next step would be to take the hormone into clinical studies, probably initially focusing on anti-inflammatory applications. But first, large-scale manufacturing methods of the active hormone were needed, he said.

Cooper's company, Protemix, has just completed a NZ$20 million series A financing round, and has two lead compounds in Phase II clinical trials and five more in the pipeline.