Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of GPI-PLD for the prevention and treatment of conditions characterised by atherosclerosis. In some embodiments, this process may be caused by a failure to produce GPI-PLD, for example type 1 diabetes, or deliver GPI-PLD, such as patients deficient in apolipoprotein-A1, or those patients with autoantibodies to either GPI-PLD or Apo-A1. In other embodiments, the atherosclerotic process may result from a loss in GPI-PLD activity, e.g. where there is a genetic modification of GPI-PLD either affecting its activity or delivery to a target tissue, thereby leading to the atherosclerotic process.

Abstract: The diagnosis of diabetes based on the level or ratio of P- and A-type inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs) in a sample from a patient is disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds having a mimetic or antagonistic property of an inositol phosphoglycan, and the uses of these compounds are disclosed, together with the use, e.g. to treat a condition ameliorated by administration of an IPG second messenger or an IPG antagonist thereof. Preferred compounds of the invention are based on the substituted cyclitols, and in particular, the compounds are based on the 1,6 linkage of two or more sugar residues to a cyclitol.

Abstract: The diagnosis of diabetes based on the level or ratio of P- and A-type inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs) in a sample from a patient, and the use of P- and A-type IPGs or their antagonists in the treatment of diabetes is disclosed. In particular, the present invention provides treatment of IDDM or lean type II diabetes (NIDDM) with a mixture of P- and A-type mediators, and treatment of obese type II diabetes (NIDDM) with a P-type mediator and/or an A-type antagonist.

Abstract: Assays, kits and methods for determining the presence or amount inositol phosphoglycans (IPG) analytes in samples are disclosed based on the finding that IPG antigens are capable of binding to gelatin. These assays can be used in the diagnosis of conditions where the presence or amount of these analytes is a diagnostic marker for a condition. Methods for the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia, distinguishing different type of pre-eclampsia, are disclosed and also methods for determining the onset of labour in a patient.

Abstract: The application relates to the purification and characterisation of a family of P-type inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs) from human liver and placenta. These substances are shown to have P-type biological activity, e.g. activating pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) phosphatase. The characterisation of the compounds demonstrates that they contain metal ions, in particular Mn2+ and/or Zn2+, and optionally phosphate. The compounds and their antagonists have uses as pharmaceuticals, e.g. for the treatment of diabetes, and in screening for synthetic analogues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of pre-eclampsia, and more particularly to the role of P-type inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs) in the occurrence of pre-eclampsia. Methods of diagnosing pre-eclampsia by determining the level of P-type IPGs and uses of antagonists of P-type IPGs in the treatment of pre-eclampsia are disclosed, together with a method for screening for P-type IPG antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of pre-eclampsia, and more particularly to the role of P-type inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs) in the occurrence of pre-eclampsia. Methods of diagnosing pre-eclampsia by determining the level of P-type IPGs and uses of antagonists of P-type IPGs in the treatment of pre-eclampsia are disclosed, together with a method for screening for P-type IPG antagonists.

Abstract: Compounds having a mimetic or antagonistic property of an inositol phosphoglycan, and the uses of these compounds are disclosed, together with the use, e.g. to treat a condition ameliorated by administration of an IPG second messenger or an IPG antagonist thereof. Preferred compounds of the invention are based on the substituted cyclitols, and in particular cyclitols linked to a sugar moiety where the molecule is substituted with a negatively charged group such as phosphate.

Abstract: Compounds having a mimetic or antagonistic property of an inositol phosphoglycan, and the uses of these compounds are disclosed, together with the use, e.g. to treat a condition ameliorated by administration of an IPG second messenger or an IPG antagonist thereof. Preferred compounds of the invention are based on the substituted cyclitols, such as the chiro-inositol derivative pinitol (3-O-methyl-chiro-inositol).

Abstract: Compounds having a mimetic or antagonistic property of an inositol phosphoglycan, and the uses of these compounds are disclosed, together with the use, e.g. to treat a condition ameliorated by administration of an IPG second messenger or an IPG antagonist thereof. In particular, the compounds are based on the 1,6 linkage of a sugar residue and a cyclitol.

Abstract: Compounds having a mimetic or antagonistic property of an inositol phosphoglycan, and the uses of these compounds are disclosed, together with the use, e.g. to treat a condition ameliorated by administration of an IPG second messenger or an IPG antagonist thereof. Preferred compounds of the invention are based on the substituted cyclitols, and in particular, the compounds are based on the 1,6 linkage of two or more sugar residues to a cyclitol.

Abstract: The application relates to the purification and characterization of a family of A-type inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs) from human liver and placenta. These substances are shown to have the biological activity associated with A-type IPG fractions, namely regulating lipogenic activity and inhibiting cAMP dependent protein kinase. The characterization of the compounds demonstrates that they contain metal ions, in particular Zn2+, and optionally phosphate. The compounds and their antagonists have uses as pharmaceuticals, e.g. for the treatment of diabetes, and in screening for synthetic analogs.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated A-type substance having a structure identical to an A-type substance obtained from human liver or placenta, which is a cyclical containing carbohydrate comprising Zn2+ and related compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated P-type substance having a structure identical to a P-type substance obtained from human liver or placenta, which is a cyclitol containing carbohydrate comprising Mn2+ and Zn2+ and related compositions.