The present invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations that have a structure (I). The compounds comprise a heterocyclic ring where W, X, Y, and Z generally and independently are S, N or C with the proviso that at least 2 of these positions in the ring are other than carbon. A pyridine or a substituted pyridine A ring and a phenyl or a substituted phenyl B ring are covalently bonded to the heterocyclic ring. Further provided are methods for treating a metabolic disorder, cell proliferative disease, reducing body weight or increasing thermogenesis during weight loss with the compounds of structure as described or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof or both.

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The present invention provides compounds having the general structural formula (I) [formula should be inserted here] and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, as described generally and in classes and subclasses herein, and additionally provides pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for the use thereof for the treatment of any of a number of conditions or diseases involving elevated levels of aldosterone or abnormal or excessive fibrosis, such as kidney disease and hypertension.

A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation.

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A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation.

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Disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) in a subject. Such embodiments include administering to a subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and treating or preventing latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) in the subject.

Disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) in a subject. Such embodiments include administering to a subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and treating or preventing latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) in the subject.

The invention provides compounds effective as inhibitors of monocarboxylate transporters such as MCT1 and MCT4, which can be used for treatment of medical conditions wherein treatment of the condition with a compound having an inhibitor effect on MCT1, MCT4, or both is medically indicated. Compounds of the invention can have antitumor, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory, or immunosuppressive pharmacological effects, and can be effective for treatment of cancer and of type II diabetes.

The invention provides compounds effective as inhibitors of monocarboxylate transporters such as MCT1 and MCT4, which can be used for treatment of medical conditions wherein treatment of the condition with a compound having an inhibitor effect on MCT1, MCT4, or both is medically indicated. Compounds of the invention can have antitumor, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory, or immunosuppressive pharmacological effects, and can be effective for treatment of cancer and of type II diabetes.

The present disclosure relates to bifunctional compounds, which find utility as modulators of α-synuclein (target protein). In particular, the present disclosure is directed to bifunctional compounds, which contain on one end a Von Hippel-Lindau, cereblon. Inhibitors of Apotosis Proteins or mouse double-minute homolog 2 ligand which binds to the respective E3 ubiquitin ligase and on the other end a moiety which binds the target protein, such that the target protein is placed in proximity to the ubiquitin ligase to effect degradation (and inhibition) of target protein. The present disclosure exhibits a broad range of pharmacological activities associated with degradation/inhibition of target protein. Diseases or disorders that result from aggregation or accumulation of the target protein are treated or prevented with compounds and compositions of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to bifunctional compounds, which find utility as modulators of α-synuclein (target protein). In particular, the present disclosure is directed to bifunctional compounds, which contain on one end a Von Hippel-Lindau, cereblon. Inhibitors of Apotosis Proteins or mouse double-minute homolog 2 ligand which binds to the respective E3 ubiquitin ligase and on the other end a moiety which binds the target protein, such that the target protein is placed in proximity to the ubiquitin ligase to effect degradation (and inhibition) of target protein. The present disclosure exhibits a broad range of pharmacological activities associated with degradation/inhibition of target protein. Diseases or disorders that result from aggregation or accumulation of the target protein are treated or prevented with compounds and compositions of the present disclosure.