This invention provides for a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1-R.sup.3, n, p, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 are defined herein. The compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are cationic lipids useful in the delivery of biologically active agents to cells and tissues. ##STR00001##

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.

The invention relates to vectors and mammalian cells in a system useful for switching on or switching off gene expression in response to fatty acids, and a method of treating diet-induced obesity. In particular, a synthetic intracellular lipid-sensing receptor was constructed that constantly monitors blood fatty acid levels, processes diet-associated hyperlipidemia and coordinates reversible and adjustable expression of the anorectic peptide hormone pramlintide to reduce dietary intake, blood fat levels and body weight.

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.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to a method of treating a transient impairment of the motility of the gastrointestinal system resulting from postoperative ileus in a patient wherein said method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a peptidyl analog of ghrelin to said patient.

A drug delivery system comprises a porous, self-healing biodegradable polymer matrix having a ionic, charged, biopolymer and a pH modifying species disposed within the pores. An ionic macromolecule having the opposite charge binds the biopolymer and forms a nonsoluble polyelectrolyte complex. The molecular weight of the biopolymer, the self healing polymer matrix, the concentration of pore forming agent and the concentration of the pH modifying species are selected for optimal binding and release of the macromolecule.

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.

Disclosed are methods for treating Set1/COMPASS-associated cancers characterized by expression of Set1B/COMPASS. The methods typically include administering a therapeutic amount of an inhibitor of the Set1B/COMPASS pathway and/or an agonist for a target that is negatively regulated by the Set1B/COMPASS pathway.