Use of creatine analogues and creatine kinase modulators for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its related disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of creatine compounds for treating or preventing a metabolic disorder related to body weight control such as obesity, and it's associated diseases in a patient experiencing said disorder. The creatine compounds which can be used in the present method include (1) analogues of creatine which can act as substrates or substrate analogues for the enzyme creatine kinase; (2) compounds which can act as inhibitors of creatine kinase; (3) compounds which can modulate the creatine transporter (4) N-phosphocreatine analogues bearing transferable or non-transferable moieties which mimic the N-phosphoryl group. (5) compounds which modify the association of creatine kinase with other cellular components.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 005,882, filed Oct. 26, 1995, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention provides for new use for creatine compounds (creatine analogues and compounds which modulate one or more of the structural or functional components of the creatine kinase / creatine phosphate system) as therapeutic agents. More particularly, the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing certain metabolic disorders of human and animal metabolism relating to aberrant body weight regulation as manifested in obesity and it's related disorders.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There are several metabolic diseases of human and animal metabolism, eg., obesity and severe weight loss that relate to energy imbalance—where caloric intake versus energy expenditure—is imbalanced. Obesity, which can...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Obesity is the result of a positive energy balance, as a consequence of an increased ratio of caloric intake to energy expenditure while severe weight loss is a result of a negative energy balance. The creatine kinase system is known to be involved in energy metabolism and it's substrates creatine phosphate, and ATP are among the highest energy compounds in the cell. It is now possible to modify this system and come up with compounds that can change energy balance and subsequently treat, prevent or ameliorate the diseases mentioned. One can increase energy state or decrease it by using substrates or inhibitors for the enzyme creatine kinase, or modulators of the enzyme system (compounds which modify any of its components) such as the creatine transporter.

Problems solved by technology

Obesity, which can be defined as a body weight more than 20% in excess of the ideal body weight, is a major health problem in Western affluent societies.

It is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and an increased mortality rate.

Cachexia on the other hand is characterized by severe weight loss and imbalanced energy expenditure, examples being patients with cancer or HIV infections.

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