This document provides butyrylcholinesterases having an enhanced ability to hydrolyze acyl ghrelin as well as nucleic acids encoding such butyrylcholinesterases. This document also provides methods and materials for treating obesity and/or aggression. For example, methods for administering a nucleic acid encoding a wild-type or mutant butyrylcholinesterase having the ability to hydrolyze acyl ghrelin to a mammal under conditions wherein the level of acyl ghrelin within the mammal is reduced, under conditions wherein the rate of body weight gain of the mammal is reduced, under conditions wherein the mammal's level of aggression is reduced, and/or under conditions wherein the mammal's rate of developing stress-induced tissue damage are provided.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating dry eye or an ocular disease associated with inflammation in a subject in need thereof. The therapeutic compositions comprise an adiponectin peptidomimetic compound, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided are methods for alleviating one or more symptoms or clinical signs of dry eye or an ocular disease associated with inflammation in a subject in need thereof.

The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising at least two cytokines, of which at least one is a modified cytokine with a strongly reduced binding affinity to its receptor, or to one of its receptors. Preferably, both cytokines are connected by a linker, preferably a GGS linker. The invention relates further to said fusion protein for use in treatment of diseases.

A peptide and a peptide complex of the present invention exhibit an anti-obesity effect by inhibiting fat accumulation and decomposing already accumulated fat, and exhibit an excellent effect with respect to diabetes by effectively reducing blood sugar. The peptide and the peptide complex of the present invention decrease the expression of PPAR, ACC, and aP2, which are adipogenic markers, increase the expression of pHSL, AMPK-1, CGI-58, and ATGL, which are lipolytic factors, and reduce the size of fat cells and blood cholesterol values. The peptide and the peptide complex of the present invention, which have excellent activity and safety, can be advantageously applied to drugs and quasi-drugs.

Modified human leptin polypeptides and uses thereof are provided.

The invention relates to a compilation of detection reagents, wherein the compilation comprises a first and a second detection reagent, wherein the first detection reagent binds non-mutated leptin with a first binding value, but does not bind mutated leptin or binds it with a maximum of 50% of the binding value of non-mutated leptin, and wherein the second detection reagent binds both mutated and non-mutated leptin with a second binding value. The invention furthermore relates to an in-vitro method for detecting mutated leptin and the use of a detection reagent.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating dry eye or an ocular disease associated with inflammation in a subject in need thereof. The therapeutic compositions comprise an adiponectin peptidomimetic compound, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and administering a therapeutic agent. Also provided are methods for alleviating one or more symptoms or clinical signs of dry eye or an ocular disease associated with inflammation in a subject in need thereof.

A leptin active peptide having CD-loop and helix E region mutations, a coding gene thereof, and an application thereof are provided in the present invention. An amino acid sequence of the leptin active peptide having CD-loop and helix E region mutations is shown in SEQ ID NO.1.

A leptin active peptide having helix D region mutation, a coding gene thereof, and an application thereof are provided in the present invention. An amino acid sequence of the leptin active peptide having helix D region mutation is shown in SEQ ID NO. 1.

The present invention relates to methods for treating melanoma and other indications by inhibiting leptin activity.