Abstract: An antioxidant compound is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptide ligands for G-protein coupled receptors that are useful for treating disorders associated with G-protein coupled receptor activation.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials for treating pulmonary hypertension (PH) in a subject. Also provided herein is a method of diagnosing whether a has PH by detecting a PH marker. A PKG pulmonary hypertension marker has been identified and may be useful in predicting PH disease progression and assessing a subject's response to PH therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods of treating and cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertension comprising the use of CaMKII-HDAC binding domains. The present invention discloses not only the fact that CaMKII binds to HDAC4 at a specific site, but that HDAC4 may dimerize with other HDACs. Both events can lead to export of HDACs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, an event associated with the development of heart disease. Thus the methods of treatment and the screening methods of the present invention are novel attempts to prevent, treat or identify therapies for cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-hypertensive agent. The anti-hypertensive agent of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of peptides originally derived from globin proteolysate, each of which consists of one of the following amino acid sequences (1) to (6), or a globin proteolysate containing at least one of the peptides: (1) Val-Val-Tyr-Pro (SEQ ID: NO. 1); (2) Trp-Gly-Lys-Val-Asn (SEQ ID: NO. 2); (3) Trp-Gly-Lys-Val (SEQ ID: NO. 3); (4) Trp-Gly-Lys (SEQ ID: NO. 4); (5) Ala-Ala-Trp-Gly-Lys (SEQ ID: NO. 5); and (6) Phe-Glu-Ser (SEQ ID: NO. 6).

Abstract: Circulating levels of catestatin (Cts: human chromogranin A352-372) decrease in the plasma of patients with essential hypertension. Genetic ablation of the chromogranin A (Chga) gene in mice increases blood pressure and pre-treatment of Chga-null mice with Cts prevents blood pressure elevation, indicating a direct role of Cts in preventing hypertension. This notable vasoreactivity prompted us to test the direct cardiovascular effects and mechanisms of action of wild-type Cts (WT-Cts) and naturally occurring human variants (G364S-Cts and P370L-Cts) on myocardial and coronary functions. The cardio-inhibitory influence exerted on basal mechanical performance and the counter-regulatory action against beta-adrenergic and ET-1 stimulations, point to Cts as a novel cardiac modulator, able to protect the heart against excessive sympathochromaffin over-activation, e.g. hypertensive cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of Lactobacillus helveticus that can produce high amounts of hypotensive peptides, in particular IPP, VPP and LPP. It also relates to a fermented milk product containing a mixture of tripeptides IPP-VPP-LPP and a strain of L. helveticus. The invention further relates to the specific peptide mixture consisting of tripeptides IPP, VPP and LPP and the use of the fermented product or mixture of peptides in food products, food supplement or pharmaceutical compositions for reducing or preventing hypertension.

Abstract: The invention provides novel guanylate cyclase-C agonist peptides and their use in the treatment of human diseases including gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation or cancer (e.g., a gastrointestinal cancer). The peptides can be administered either alone or in combination with an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase. The gastrointestinal disorder may be classified as either irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or excessive acidity etc. The gastrointestinal disease may be classified as either inflammatory bowel disease or other GI condition, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and cancer.

Abstract: Sequence modified calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) compounds are useful for treating heart failure, stroke, hemorrhagic shock, or migraine, improving renal function, preventing or delaying the advancement of heart failure into advanced stages, treating angina, controlling pulmonary hypertension, counteracting ischemia due to a myocardial infarction, preventing vasospasms during angioplasty, preventing reocclusion of blood vessels during and/or after angioplasty, stent insertion, or the implantation of a vascular grafts, and for treating male impotence and female sexual arousal disorder.

Abstract: There is provided a novel series of analogues of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds, and the use of said compounds as GIP-receptor agonists or antagonists for treatment of GIP-receptor mediated conditions, such as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Abstract: There is provided a novel series of analogues of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds, and the use of said compounds as GIP-receptor agonists or antagonists for treatment of GIP-receptor mediated conditions, such as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Abstract: A composition for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of conditions mediated by endothelial function in mammals is provided. The composition includes a milk protein hydrolysate generated by treating milk or milk whey protein with a proteolytic enzyme having subtilisin or subtilisin-like activity and/or glutamyl endopeptidase or glutamyl endopeptidase-like activity. The composition is useful in the management of vascular conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic peptide amides that are ligands of the kappa opioid receptor and particularly to agonists of the kappa opioid receptor that exhibit low P450 CYP inhibition and low penetration into the brain. The synthetic peptide amides of the invention conform to the structure: wherein Xaa is a D-amino acid and G is selected from the following three groups: The compounds are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of pain, pruritis and inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptide ligands for G-protein coupled receptors that are useful for treating disorders associated with G-protein coupled receptor activation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated peptide comprising all or part of the amino acid sequence: GGAEFSARSR KRKANVTVFL QD (SEQ ID NO: 2), wherein the peptide reduces cell proliferation. The invention also includes variants, such as SEQ ID NO:3-5 and fragments of at least 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2-5 that reduce cell proliferation. The peptides are useful for treating cancer and diseases characterized by smooth muscle proliferation, such as restenosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptide compounds which are effective in modulating one or more melanocortin receptor types, to the use of the compounds in therapy, to methods of treatment comprising administration of the compounds to patients in need thereof, and to the use of the compounds in the manufacture of medicaments. The compounds of the invention are of particular interest in relation to the treatment of obesity as well as a variety of diseases or conditions associated with obesity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel gene encoding a protein termed Coiled Coil Domain Containing 95 (CCDC95) or a peptide fragments thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of CCDC95 in Modulation of RGK small binding protein via altering concentration or sub-cellular localisation of RGK small binding protein with CCDC95 or a peptide fragments thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of preventing or treating heart failure in a mammalian subject. The methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a benzazepine compound that can maintain for a long period of time the blood level of tolvaptan enabling to provide the desired pharmaceutical effects. The benzazepine compound of the present invention is represented by general formula (1) wherein R1 represents a —CO—(CH2)n—COR2 group (wherein n is an integer of 1 to 4, and R2 is (2-1) a hydroxy group; (2-2) a lower alkoxy group optionally substituted with a hydroxy group, a lower alkanoyl group, a lower alkanoyloxy group, a lower alkoxycarbonyloxy group, a cycloalkyloxycarbonyloxy group, or 5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxo-4-yl; or (2-3) an amino group optionally substituted with a hydroxy-lower alkyl group), or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in PRO196, PRO217, PRO231, PRO236, PRO245, PRO246, PRO258, PRO287, PRO328, PRO344, PRO357, PRO526, PRO724, PRO731, PRO732, PRO1003, PRO1104, PRO1151, PRO1244, PRO1298, PRO1313, PRO1570, PRO1886, PRO1891, PRO4409, PRO5725, PRO5994, PRO6097, PRO7425, PRO10102, PRO10282, PRO61709 or PRO779 genes. Such in vivo studies and characterizations may provide valuable identification and discovery of therapeutics and/or treatments useful in the prevention, amelioration or correction of diseases or dysfunctions associated with gene disruptions such as neurological disorders; cardiovascular, endothelial or angiogenic disorders; eye abnormalities; immunological disorders; oncological disorders; bone metabolic abnormalities or disorders; lipid metabolic disorders; or developmental abnormalities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of intimal smooth muscle cell hyperplasia, restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention, post-transplant vasculopathy, and pulmonary hypertension More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for delivering podocan or podocan inhibitors to the arterial system of an animal, thus resulting in the down-regulation or up-regulation, respectively, of smooth muscle cell (SMC) functions such as SMC proliferation and migration Up-regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and/or migration by podocan inhibition results in the treatment of vulnerable plaques, while down-regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and/or migration via podocan delivery and/or up-regulation results in the treatment of intimal smooth muscle cell hyperplasia, restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention, post-transplant or graft vasculopathy and pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preventing or treating metabolic syndrome in a mammalian subject. The methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel peptide having a physiological activity. Because of having a hypotensive activity, this novel peptide is useful in treating a disease caused by hypertension. Also, an antibody to the novel peptide is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying novel PP1-interacting polypeptides and proteins, compounds which are able to inhibit the binding of PP1c to certain factors naturally interacting with it, especially proteins of the Bcl-2 family (such as Bcl-xL and Bcl-w).

Abstract: Peptides that act as GC-C receptor agonists and contain at least one D-cys and are useful for the treatment of diuresis and heart disease as well as other disorders are described.

Abstract: A bioactive complex composition having enhanced oxidative stability, emulsion stability, mineral rich transparent beverages and a wide range of functional health benefits. The composition may include as a base composition individual ingredients or a synergistic blend of mineral salts, Omega-3 rich oils, phospholipids, chitosan, and alpha-casein, beta-casein, kappa-casein or protein fragments, glycopeptides, phosphopeptides. The composition may optionally be further utilized for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia, bone (and teeth) mineral loss, treatment of mental health diseases, heart health, additional nutritional supplementation, and treatment of additional medical conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing ocular disorders associated with increased intraocular pressure comprising administering a bradykinin B2 receptor agonist to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of immunomodulating an immune response in a subject comprising administering to a subject a malleable protein matrix (MPM), from fermented whey, in an amount effective to modulate the biological activity of Th17 cells, and its associated metabolic pathway, for a preventative or a therapeutic purpose of a variety of health applications in the field of immunity or obesity related diseases.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in preferentially activating natriuretic peptide receptor-C polypeptides. For example, agonists of natriuretic peptide receptor-C polypeptides as well as methods for activating natriuretic peptide receptor-C polypeptides are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to melanocortin receptor-specific cyclic peptides of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R4c, R5, x and y are as defined in the specification. These compounds are particularly useful in the treatments of energy homeostasis and metabolism related (e.g. diabetes), food intake related and/or energy balance and body weight related diseases, disorders and/or conditions, including obesity, overweight and diseases, disorders and/or conditions associated with obesity and/or overweight, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention relates in one embodiment to PAPP-A exosite(s) interactors such as antibodies which bind to a region comprising LNR3 of PAPP-A and efficiently inhibit proteolysis of IGFBP-4, but not -5. The region comprising LNR3 represents a substrate binding exosite, which can be targeted for selective proteolytic inhibition. Accordingly, the present invention relates in one embodiment to differential inhibition of natural protease substrates by exosite targeting.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides variants of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), pharmaceutical compositions comprising CNP variants, and methods of making CNP variants. The CNP variants are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases responsive to CNP, including but not limited to bone-related disorders, such as skeletal dysplasias (e.g., achondroplasia), and vascular smooth muscle disorders (e.g., restenosis and arteriosclerosis).

Abstract: Methods are described for slowing or inhibiting the progression of heart failure in a mammalian subject suffering from chronic hypertension. The methods involve administering an ?PKC, ?1PKC, or ?IIPKC peptide inhibitor, examples of which are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides novel GLP-1 analogues and compositions comprising such analogues. The compounds of the invention are useful in treating diabetes mellitus and related disorders.

Abstract: H-NOX proteins are mutated to exhibit improved or optimal kinetic and thermodynamic properties for blood gas NO delivery. The engineered H-NOX proteins comprise mutations that impart altered NO or 02 ligand-binding relative to the corresponding wild-type H-NOX domain, and are operative as physiologically compatible mammalian blood NO gas carriers. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods that use wild-type or mutant H-NOX proteins for the treatment of any condition for which delivery of NO is beneficial.

Abstract: The present invention features a compound having the formula A-X—B, where A is peptide vector capable of enhancing transport of the compound across the blood-brain barrier or into particular cell types, X is a linker, and B is a peptide therapeutic selected from the group consisting of neurotensin, a neurotensin analog, or a neurotensin receptor agonist. The compounds of the invention can be used to treat any disease in which increased neurotensin activity is useful and can be used to induce hypothermia or analgesia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, vectors and host cells expressing, and immunoadhesions and antibodies to mammalian GFR?3, a novel ?-subunit receptor of the GDNF (i.e. GFR) receptor family. It further relates to an assay for measuring activation of an ?-subunit receptor by detecting tyrosine kinase receptor activation (i.e., autophosphorylation) or other activities related to ligand-induced ?-subunit receptor homo-dimerization or homo-oligomerization.

Abstract: This invention relates to the formulations of isoflavones with soluble carrier proteins, for example whey proteins. The formulations display increased lipid modulating activity without increased estrogenic activity, relative to isoflavone alone and may be useful, for example in therapeutic applications, such as the treatment of metabolic dysfunction, cancer and skin conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising biologically active proteins linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of using such compositions in treatment of glucose-related diseases, metabolic diseases, coagulation disorders, and growth hormone-related disorders and conditions.