UCLA researchers in the Department of Anesthesiology have developed a novel and extremely robust lipid lowering, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-obesity treatment with Netrin-1.
BACKGROUND:
Hyperlipidemia, an elevation of different forms of lipids in the bloodstream, is the most important risk factor for coronary heart disease, while causing many other health problems. Despite the robust lipid lowering effects of statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, not all patients are responsive to them, or, some patients are tolerate of these medications to develop severe side effects. Continues efforts have been made to develop better lipid lowering treatment for hyperlipidemia management and to prevent coronary artery disease.
INNOVATION:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Anesthesiology have developed a lipid lowering treatment based on netrin-1, an endothelial mitogen that has an established role in cardio-protection. The treatment significantly inhibits weight accumulation and fatty liver, substantially reduces the formation of atherosclerotic lesion, and robustly decreases the level of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride without affecting HDL-cholesterol. This treatment can play an important role in managing hyperlipidemia and preventing a variety of health conditions associated with elevated lipid levels.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Hyperlipidemia management
• Weight control
• Prevention of cardiovascular and liver diseases
ADVANTAGES:
• Robust decrease of body weight gain
• Reduced risk of fatty liver
• Reduced formation of atherosclerotic lesion
• Robust decrease of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride
• Does not affect HDL-cholesterol
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:
Tested on animals.