Abstract: The amount of adipose tissue, including lipomas, at selected locations in the body is reduced by introducing collagenase or collagenase plus another proteinase into the tissue.

Abstract: There are provided a method for selection of a substance which is capable of controlling activation of prorenin where an adjusting ability of the activation of prorenin by protein-protein interaction in a profragment region of prorenin as indicator is used; a prorenin activation controlling substance having a function of controlling the activation of prorenin based on protein-protein interaction by a profragment region of prorenin; and hypotensor, organ hypertrophy suppressor and arterial thickening suppressor containing the prorenin activation controlling substance as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: Use of an extract of bacterium from the family Pseudomonadaceae in the production of cosmetic compositions in particular for combating ageing of the skin.

Abstract: A composition for use in treating autism spectrum disorders. The composition preferably includes a genomeceutical type compound that increases the user's expression of DPPIV or like substances. The genomeceutical compound may include a sugar (such as a milk sugar), glucans, galactose and/or related material. The composition may also include one or more of a protease, peptidase or phytase. The inclusion of phospholipids, disaccharides, lipases and/or related substances in a composition for treating autism spectrum disorders and the function they provide is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel bioactive peptide compositions and process for producing the same and the use of such compositions for enhancing the growth of warm blooded animals and fish is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions such as dietary supplements. Such compositions can be used to reduce pain, inflammation, stiffness, and/or discomfort associated with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. The invention also provides methods for reducing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and/or discomfort associated with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating a wide variety of diseases, disorders and conditions characterized by excessive activity of substance P. The treatment involves administering peptidases that recognize and selectively cleave polypeptides at Xaa-Pro sequences.

Abstract: Methods for exterminating pests using compositions comprising at least one protease enzyme. A detergent component may also be utilized in such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, a purified natural or synthetic epidermis-specific polypeptide which is involved in horny layer cell cohesion. The invention also relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising a mixture of polypeptides derived from the proteolysis of the purified polypeptide of the present invention. The present invention further relates to a method for strengthening horny layer cell cohesion which comprises applying the cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition of the present invention to the skin. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for reducing horny layer cell cohesion, and thereby promoting exfoliation, wherein said method comprises applying to the skin a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of at least one protease active on the polypeptide of the present invention.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising one or more of an acid protease and an acidic buffer, the acidic buffer comprising an acid and a pharmaceutically or cosmetically 5 acceptable carrier, vehicle or excipient, useful for treating or preventing abnormal biological conditions, diseases or disorders, and/or for improving the texture or appearance of the skin, and/or for enhancing epidermal exfoliation and/or for enhancing epidermal cell renewal and to methods for the use of the compositions. The acid protease comprises one or more proteolytic enzymes that exhibit proteolytic activity at pH values below that of the surface of the skin, i.e., approximately pH 5.5. The acidic buffer comprises inorganic and/or organic acids or mixtures thereof with a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier, vehicle or excipient. The buffer is capable of reducing the pH of the surface of the skin to less than pH 5.5 and is susceptible to neutralization by normal epidermal processes.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 6299 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel zinc carboxypeptidase family members. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 6299 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a 6299 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 6299 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-6299 antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Acid-stable proteases of the subtilisin family, their use in animal feed, feed-additives and feed compositions containing such proteases, and methods for the treatment of vegetable proteins using such proteases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening drugs for use in treating hypertension using the tubular renin-angiotensinogen system identified by the present invention. The invention further relates to a method to diagnose sodium status and sensitivity in an individual by measuring urinary angiotensinogen or angiotensin-I.

Abstract: Liquid compositions for intravenous administration that comprise an aqueous solution of immunoglobulin and methods of preparing such compositions are disclosed. The solution has a pH in the range of 5.0 to 5.8 and an ionic strength is the range 0.02 to 0.25. The liquid compositions are formulated so as to be stable upon storage such that the immunoglobulin does not substantially aggregate nor degrade and maintains acceptable levels of anti-complementary activity, PKA activity and kallikrein activity during storage for an extended period at a temperature in the range of 4° C. to 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treating method for hair growth inhibition, which comprises administering (A) the extract of a plant of the family Juniperus or a malt. In addition, the present invention relates to a dermatologic composition for external use, which comprises (B) an elastase inhibitor or neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, and the above-described component (A) and/or (C) at least one proteolytic enzyme selected from the group consisting of papain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin, bromelain, ficin and pancreatin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating corneal diseases mediated by elevated protease activity include ocular administration of protease inhibitors. One or more protease inhibitors selected from an aspartic, serine, cysteine, or metallo-protease inhibitor are administered to an ocular fluid, surface, or tissue, preferably by topical administration, to inhibit proteolytic activity associated with a corneal disease or condition, for example keratoconus. Antiproteolytic formulations of the invention may include carriers that prolong the retention and/or enhance delivery of the protease inhibitor. These formulations can also include other therapeutic agents such as antiinflammatory or antibiotic drugs. In preferred aspects of the invention, antiproteolytic formulations are administered during periods of closed eye tear production. Also provided within the invention are implant devices for corneal delivery of a protease inhibitor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an enzymatic anhydrous hydrophilic wound debrider that uses in combination a proteolytic enzyme and an anhydrous hydrophilic poloxamer carrier.

Abstract: A method of treating prostate cancer in a living mammal includes local administration of a composition that includes a therapeutically effective concentration of collagenase. In one embodiment, a method of treating prostate cancer in a living mammal includes local administration of a composition that includes a therapeutically effective concentration of collagenase and at least one of a glycosidase, a protease, a nuclease, a lipase, an esterase, a plasminogen activator, a streptokinase, and combinations thereof. Preferably a glycosidase, such as, for example, hyaluronidase, is administered. Compositions used in methods for treating prostate cancer can also include or be administered with calcium ions, a nonionic surfactant, such as, for example, Triton® X-100, and an antibiotic, such as, for example, gentamicin. Another method of treating prostate cancer in a living mammal includes activating PSA in vivo by, for example, locally administering calcium ions.

Abstract: An herbal formulation comprises betaine HCl, plant enzymes, papain, probiotic micro flora, fruitooligosaccharides, l-glutamine, quercitin, butyric acid, borage seed, flax seed, lecithin, gamma oryzanol, bromelain, pepsin, and N-acetylglucosamine.

Abstract: Modified enzymes are prepared for use in skin care products by covalently coupling to the enzymes from 4 to 70 polymeric molecules with or without a linker such as a triazine ring. Molecular weight of the polymeric molecules may be from 1 to 35 kDa and of the enzymes from 15 to 100 kDa. The number and weight of polymeric molecules coupled is balanced with the weight and/or surface area of the enzymes. Enzymes include proteases such as subtilisins, lipases and oxidoreductases such as laccases and superoxide dismutase, and polymeric molecules include polysaccharides such as dextran or pullulan and polyalkylene oxides such as polyethylene glycol. The polymeric molecules may be coupled to the enzymes at the N-terminal amino group and/or lysine residues, and preferably at a position more than 5 Å from the active site of the enzymes. A preferred modified enzyme is a protease having from 5 to 13 coupled polymeric molecules.

Abstract: A thermally stable enzyme composition contains an enzyme, and a heat stabilizer including a phospholipid and an oil-soluble vitamin. The enzyme composition can be prepared in the form of a powder by drying an enzyme solution containing a phospholipid and an oil-soluble vitamin to obtain an enzyme powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treating method for hair growth inhibition, which comprises administering (A) the extract of a plant of the family Juniperus or a malt. In addition, the present invention relates to a dermatologic composition for external use, which comprises (B) an elastase inhibitor or neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, and the above-described component (A) and/or (C) at least one proteolytic enzyme selected from the group consisting of papain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin, bromelain, ficin and pancreatin.

Abstract: Novel bioactive peptide compositions and process for producing the same and the use of such compositions for enhancing the growth of warm blooded animals and fish is disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to disinfect contact lenses are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present composition comprises a cellulose decomposing enzyme component, e.g., lysozyme, and a hydrogen peroxide destroying component. The composition is structured so that the cellulose decomposing enzyme component is released in a liquid medium containing hydrogen peroxide before the hydrogen peroxide destroying component is released in the liquid medium. Such cellulose decomposing enzyme component is preferably effective to render hydrogen peroxide-resistant microorganisms, e.g., acanthamoeba cysts, which may contaminate the lens more susceptible to being killed by hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel &bgr;-secretase that produces the A&bgr; peptide found in Alzheimer's Disease. One &bgr;-secretase is a protein having a molecular weight of about 61, 81 or 88 kDa that cleaves an amyloid precursor protein (APP) substrate. Another is a protease complex having a molecular between about 180 and 200 kDa, which, in one embodiment, contains the 61, 81, and 88 kDa proteins and, in another embodiment, contains proteins having a molecular weight of about 66, 60, 33 and 29 kDa. Another &bgr;-secretase has a molecular weight between about 50 and 90 kDA. The invention is also directed to methods of selecting agents that inhibit A&bgr; peptide production and treating Alzheimer's disease in patients.

Abstract: Soy hydrolysate compositions are produced by a process utilizing multiple enzymes. The soy hydrolysate compositions provide insect attractant and repellent properties. Methods of using the soy hydrolysate compositions for insect control are also disclosed.