Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for differentiating stromal cells from adipose tissue into cells having osteoblastic properties, and methods for improving a subject's bone structure. The methods comprise culturing stromal cells from adipose tissue in ?-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid and/or ascorbate-2-phosphate for a time sufficient to allow differentiation of said cells into osteoblasts. Such methods and compositions are useful in the production of osteoblasts for autologous transplantation into bone at a surgical site or injury. The compositions comprise adipose stromal cells, a medium capable of supporting the growth of fibroblasts and amounts of ?-(glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic-2 phosphate sufficient to induce the differentiation of said stromal cells into osteoblasts. The invention further provides methods of identifying compounds that affect osteoblast differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for combating cellulite or reducing localized fatty excesses which comprises administering to a person having cellulite or localized fatty excesses a body slimming amount of a composition containing 10-trans, 12-cis conjugated linoleic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying compounds and compositions useful in the regulation of weight, the treatment of obesity, diabetes and other insulin resistance-related disorders hypertension, cardiovascular disease and the like. The methods comprise the use of adipocytes and predipocytes in assays and screens for compounds or compositions of interest. The present invention recognizes the presence of the sulfonylurea receptor in adipocytes and its utility in identifying compounds and in treating obesity and other insulin resistance-related disorders. In addition to assaying for agonists and antagonists of the sulfonylurea receptor, the methods of the invention also provide for identifying novel calcium channels or other calcium regulatory channels that are selectively expressed in human adipocytes as compared to human preadipocytes and for screening adipocytes for compounds that selectively antagonize calcium.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the consistent and quantitative differentiation of human preadipocytes isolated from adipose tissue into adipocytes bearing biochemical, genetic, and physiological characteristics similar to that observed in isolated primary adipocytes. The methods of the invention comprise incubating isolated human preadipocytes, plated at least about 25,000 cells/cm.sup.2, in a medium containing, glucose, a cyclic AMP inducer such as isobutylmethylxanthine or forskolin, a glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid analogue, insulin or an insulin analogue and a PPAR.gamma. agonist or a RXR agonist. The compositions of the invention include media for the differentiation of human preadipocytes, human adipocytes differentiated by the methods of the invention and transfected adipocytes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying compounds and compositions useful in the regulation of weight, the treatment of obesity, diabetes and other insulin resistance-related disorders hypertension, cardiovascular disease and the like. The methods comprise the use of adipocytes and predipocytes in assays and screens for compounds or compositions of interest. The present invention recognizes the presence of the sulfonylurea receptor in adipocytes and its utility in identifying compounds and in treating obesity and other insulin resistance-related disorders. The methods of the invention also provide for identifying novel calcium channels or other calcium regulatory channels that are selectively expressed in human adipocytes as compared to human preadipocytes and for screening adipocytes for compounds that selectively antagonize calcium. These compounds may be used in the treatment of obesity and diabetes and other insulin resistance-related disorders.