Abstract: Disclosed are methods for screening a drug for treating obesity-related diseases by using the ability of candidate drugs to inhibit the function of pentraxin-4 as an index, and a pharmaceutical composition for treating obesity-related diseases comprising a pentraxin-4 inhibitor as an active ingredient. The drug screened by the above-mentioned method and the pharmaceutical composition are useful for treating obesity-related diseases, particularly for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Abstract: An AdipoR activator for activating both AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 is provided. A compound represented by the following formula (1), wherein A is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or the like, Y1 is (CHR2)a— or the like, X is CH or N, R1 is a C1-7 alkyl group, m is an integer of 0-4, Y2 is *—O—CH2—CONH—, *—CONH—(CH2)b—CO— or the like, Z is a cyclic group, B may be a substituent of the cyclic group represented by Z, and n is an integer of 0-3.

Abstract: A therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes includes a thiazolidine derivative as a PPAR-? agonist as an effective component which exhibits a reduced side effect of the PPAR-? agonist. The therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes includes a particular IP agonist such as beraprost sodium (BPS), and a thiazolidine derivative such as pioglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Since the therapeutic or prophylactic agent exhibits a sufficiently effective hypoglycemic action without being accompanied by side effects characteristic to PPAR-? agonists, the agent is useful as a highly safe and effective therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes.

Abstract: An AdipoR activator for activating both AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 is provided. A compound represented by the following formula (1), wherein A is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or the like, Y1 is (CHR2)a— or the like, X is CH or N, R1 is a C1-7 alkyl group, m is an integer of 0-4, Y2 is *—O—CH2—CONH—, *—CONH—(CH2)b—CO— or the like, Z is a cyclic group, B may be a substituent of the cyclic group represented by Z, and n is an integer of 0-3.

Abstract: Provided are a means for the prevention and treatment of obesity and/or insulin resistance and, particularly, pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of obesity and/or insulin resistance under the influence of Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3). Specifically, provided is an insulin resistance improving drug comprising an FSTL3 inhibitor as an active ingredient, particularly, the insulin resistance improving drug, wherein the FSTL3 inhibitor is one of (A) a substance specifically binding to FSTL3 to inhibit or suppress a function of FSTL3, (B) an inhibitor for expression of FSTL3, and (C) a competitor of FSTL3.

Abstract: A method of screening for candidate compounds for adiponectin receptor 1 agonist including a step of bringing test compounds into contact with cells to determine whether they cause intracellular influx of extracellular calcium ions and selecting, from the test compounds, compounds causing the intracellular influx of extracellular calcium ions as the candidate compounds for adiponectin receptor 1 agonist.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical for pseudo-exercise therapy containing an adiponectin receptor 1 agonist compound as an active ingredient and changing the physiological state of muscle to a post-exercise one without applying an exercise stress to the muscle.

Abstract: A single-nucleotide polymorphism in the UBE2E2 locus or C2CD4A-C2CD4B locus is analyzed and type II diabetes is examined based on the results of the analysis.

Abstract: Provided are a means for the prevention and treatment of obesity and/or insulin resistance and, particularly, pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of obesity and/or insulin resistance under the influence of FSTL3. Specifically, provided is an insulin resistance improving drug comprising an FSTL3 inhibitor as an active ingredient, particularly, the insulin resistance improving drug, wherein the FSTL3 inhibitor is one of (A) a substance specifically binding to FSTL3 to inhibit or suppress a function of FSTL3, (B) an inhibitor for expression of FSTL3, and (C) a competitor of FSTL3.

Abstract: Provided is a new anti-inflammatory drug that produces an anti-inflammatory effect by modulating macrophage function. Specifically, a new anti-inflammatory drug that produces an anti-inflammatory effect through induction of M2 macrophages using activin species is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of measuring the expression level of FSTL3 gene in a biological sample and correlating the measured expression level with the detection of a risk of developing diabetes. Also provided is a method of measuring the expression level of FSTL3 gene in an individual with a BMI value less than 25 not clinically determined as obesity and correlating the measured expression level with the detection of a risk of developing obesity. Further provided is a method of measuring the expression level of FSTL3 gene in an individual with a BMI value less than 25 and correlating the measured expression level with the detection of a risk of developing diabetes. Further provided is a method of measuring an inhibin ?B gene expression level and correlating the ratio of expression level of FSTL3 gene to inhibin ?B gene with the detection of a risk of developing obesity or diabetes.

Abstract: A therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes includes a thiazolidine derivative as a PPAR-? agonist as an effective component which exhibits a reduced side effect of the PPAR-? agonist. The therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes includes a particular IP agonist such as beraprost sodium (BPS), and a thiazolidine derivative such as pioglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Since the therapeutic or prophylactic agent exhibits a sufficiently effective hypoglycemic action without being accompanied by side effects characteristic to PPAR-? agonists, the agent is useful as a highly safe and effective therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes.

Abstract: The object is to isolate and identify human and mouse adiponectin receptors, to provide a novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, and to provide a screening method and screening kit for a ligand, agonist and antagonist to an adiponectin receptor using such protein. To achieve this object, a protein is used, as novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, that is (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8, or (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8 with one or more amino acids deleted, replaced or added, and having adiponectin binding ability.

Abstract: When an amount of visceral fat is measured using ultrasonic waves during medical examination of metabolic syndrome, three contact positions are defined on the surface of the abdominal region, and three distances inside the living body are measured by bringing a probe into contact with the surface of the abdominal region at the contact positions. Specifically, three measurement paths having a starting point at the center of the descending aorta are set, and the distances from the center to a surface of the fat layer adjacent to the surface of the body (inner surface of the subcutaneous layer) in the measurement paths are observed. An approximate area of a visceral fat region can be determined from the three distances and two angles defined by the three measurement paths, and an index value is calculated on the basis of the area. A probe holder having three holding portions is desirably used.

Abstract: The object is to isolate and identify human and mouse adiponectin receptors, to provide a novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, and to provide a screening method and screening kit for a ligand, agonist and antagonist to an adiponectin receptor using such protein. To achieve this object, a protein is used, as novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, that is (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8, or (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8 with one or more amino acids deleted, replaced or added, and having adiponectin binding ability.

Abstract: Kits and methods for selectively assaying a target adiponectin multimer in a biological sample. Such methods accurately evaluate the relationship between a disease and adiponectin through selective assay of adiponectin multimers and provide information that cannot be obtained through measurement of the total amount of adiponectin alone. A method for selectively assaying a target adiponectin multimer in a biological sample comprising distinguishing target adiponectin multimer from the other adiponectin multimers by using a protease and/or an antibody.

Abstract: The object is to isolate and identify human and mouse adiponectin receptors, to provide a novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, and to provide a screening method and screening kit for a ligand, agonist and antagonist to an adiponectin receptor using such protein. To achieve this object, a protein is used, as novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, that is (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8, or (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8 with one or more amino acids deleted, replaced or added, and having adiponectin binding ability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of testing for genetic susceptibility to type-2 diabetes in a subject that comprises detecting one or more polymorphisms present in the KCNQ1 gene and/or EIF2AK4 gene in a DNA-containing sample collected from the subject. The present invention permit a method of accurately, conveniently, and rapidly testing the genetic susceptibility of subjects to type-2 by targeting determinative genetic factors of genetic susceptibility to type-2 diabetes.

Abstract: The invention provides an insulin resistance improving agent and a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes, which contain a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene for the domain or adiponectin. The invention also provides a method for improving insulin resistance and treating type 2 diabetes by administering the aforementioned agent(s).

Abstract: The invention provides an insulin resistance improving agent and a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes, which contain a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene for the domain or adiponectin. The invention also provides a method for improving insulin resistance and treating type 2 diabetes by administering the aforementioned agent(s).