Abstract: The present disclosure relates in part to methods for treating or preventing a disease using a bacterial formulation that comprises a probiotic bacterium, a biocompatible microsphere, and/or a prebiotic.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of modulating the expression of genes linked to adipocytokine signaling, carbohydrate metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, PPAR signaling, insulin signaling, lipid metabolism, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, or combinations thereof, methods of treating hyperlipidemia, obesity, excessive cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, diabetes, or combinations thereof, and methods of stimulating glucose uptake in an animal in need thereof, comprising administering a composition comprising at least one isolated glyceollin to said animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inducing weight loss in a patient, comprising continuous infusion of an effective amount of an MC4R agonist peptide into the patient. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of treating obesity in a patient, comprising continuous infusion of an effective amount of an MC4R agonist peptide into the patient. Furthermore, the present invention provides the use of an MC4R agonist peptide for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of obesity, wherein the medicament is administered by continuous infusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide agonists of the MC4 receptor, and as such are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and male and/or female sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating metabolic disorders, including, for example, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cachexia, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular disorders, methods of inducing weight loss and increasing muscle mass in a patient, by administration of MC3R agonist peptides. Furthermore, the present invention provides the use of an MC3R agonist peptide for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of metabolic disorders, including, for example, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cachexia, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular disorders, inducing weight loss and increasing muscle mass in a patient.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that preferentially bind acetylated human ghrelin with respect to unacylated human ghrelin are disclosed. These molecules have high affinity for acylated human ghrelin, a slow off rate for acylated human ghrelin dissociation, and neutralize an acylated human ghrelin activity. These antibodies or antigen-binding portions thereof are useful for neutralizing ghrelin activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which ghrelin activity is detrimental.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies, including humanized and chimeric antibodies, that bind acylated and unacylated human ghrelin are provided. Such monoclonal antibodies can be full-length, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, and are useful for neutralizing ghrelin activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which ghrelin activity is detrimental.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method comprising administering to a patient diagnosed as being in need of treatment for nausea, emesis, or symptoms associated therewith comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a compound of formula (I) wherein: R1 is C6H5CH2OCH2—, C6H5(CH2)3— or indol-3-ylmethyl; Y is pyrrolidinyl, 4-methyl-piperidinyl or NR2R2; R2 are each independently C1-C6 alkyl; R3 is 2-napthyl or phenyl para-substituted by W; W is H, F, CF3, C1-C6 alkoxy or phenyl; and R4 is H or CH3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, in an amount that is effective in treating nausea, emesis, or symptoms associated therewith in said patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method selectively inhibiting ghrelin activity to treat a variety of diseases including obesity and related disorders, particularly in individuals who are genetically predisposed. One aspect of the invention comprises administering an agent that effectively neutralizes ghrelin. Another aspect comprises administering a ghrelin receptor (growth hor- mone secretagogue receptor) antagonist.