The present disclosure provides a variety of methods based on the determination of cholesterol concentration in remnant lipoprotein and/or the determination of a remnant lipoprotein level in a sample from a subject. Such methods include, but are not limited to, a method of predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease, a method for evaluating a subject for treatment for a cardiovascular disease and a method for determining if a subject is suffering from cardiovascular disease.

This document provides materials and methods for identifying and quantifying AIM polypeptides in a sample using mass spectrometry techniques. For example, methods of using mass spectrometry to identify and quantify AIM polypeptides in a serum sample are provided. In some cases, quantification of AIM polypeptides can be used to diagnose and/or treat patients having a disease or disorder characterized by altered (e.g., increased or decreased) AIM polypeptide levels.

A method for predicting the degree of weight loss attainable by applying one or more dietary interventions to a subject. The method includes determining the level of one or more biomarkers in one or more samples obtained from the subject, and the biomarkers are selected from fructosamine and factor VTT.

A method is described for regulating metabolic homeostasis in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising isolating circulating exosomes from a healthy donor, and administering the exosomes to the subject, under conditions sufficient to regulate metabolic homeostasis in the subject, wherein the exosomes act by a direct interaction with insulin target tissues and/or by modulation of immune function. Furthermore, the components of the exosomes, such as RNAs and/or products catalyzed by sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3 (SMPD3) are used to treat metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In addition, a method for early detection of metabolic risks associated with obesity is provided.

A method for colorimetric detection of cholesterol in a sample is disclosed. The method includes adding beta-cyclodextrin and cholesterol to a phenolphthalein indicator solution in the presence of a phosphate buffer solution to create a solution medium and quantifying the cholesterol as a function of a complexed beta-cyclodextrin in the solution medium.

Provided herein are methods of diagnosing or monitoring the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I or a disorder associated with MPS I.

Described herein is a novel, mitochondrial encoded, open reading frame, that leads to the production of a new mitochondrial peptide. Residing within the ND-Two subunit, a specific small nucleotide polymorphism disrupts expression of this mitochondrial peptide, and is correlated with an increase in obesity and diabetes, particularly in certain ethnic populations. In vitro administration of the peptide increases insulin secretion, decreases fat accumulation and improves glucose uptake in muscle cell. Antibodies generated against the peptide can be used for detecting peptide deficiency, in addition to SNP detection, supporting diagnostic approaches. In vivo studies further revealed that administration of the peptide improves glucose tolerance, thereby providing a new therapeutic avenue for a novel diabetes therapy and decreases bodyweight, thus serving as a novel obesity therapy. Generation of synthetic analogs further enhance or abrogated activity relative to the natural peptide.

This disclosure describes methods and compositions for detecting the presence of a Perilipin 1 (PLIN1) autoantibody in a biological sample obtained from a subject that has or is being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Also provided are methods of treating subjects with acquired lipodystrophy.

Methods and compositions are provided for the prevention and/or treatment of symptoms associated with lipid accumulation disorders caused by attenuated leptin activity and by lipid storage disorders. The methods involve administering at least one oxygenated cholesterol sulfate (OCS) to a subject with the disorder. The disorder may be acquired or congenital (hereditary).

Microbes expressing cholesterol oxidoreductase (COR) proteins, methods of engineering the microbes expressing COR proteins, compositions and methods of using the microbes are provided.