Direct Thrombin Inhibitors for Diet-Induced Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease
- Detailed Technology Description
- Executive Summary Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) affects approximately 20% of US adults and nearly 75% of obese adults. As NALFD becomes more severe, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) develops, which can lead to liver failure. The only ways to treat these diseases are through weight loss, or in extreme cases, liver transplants. Researchers at Michigan State University developed a drug treatment to prevent the development and progression of NALFD/NASH in these patients. Description of Technology This NALFD/NASH therapy is achieved using an FDA approved anticoagulant. This drug inhibits the acidity of thrombin, which has been shown to be increased in patients with NALFD. MSU researchers demonstrated that mice fed a high-fat diet while being treated with the anticoagulant significantly reduced morphological and cellular signs of hepatic steatosis. This treatment could be used in the clinic to combat NALFD in obese patients. Key BenefitsObesity preventionNAFLD preventionHealth benefits – the prevention of obesity has significant direct and indirect health benefitsReduces patient healthcare costs – this is by preventing obesity and NAFLD, which have both direct and indirect health repercussions that require costly medical intervention ApplicationsObesity treatment/preventionNAFLD treatment/prevention Patent Status: Under review. Licensing Rights Available Full licensing rights available. Inventors: James P. Luyendyk Tech ID: TEC2014-0047 Alternative contact due to temporary leave: Nina (Isi) Davis, Technology Marketing Manager, email: davisnin@msu.edu, phone (direct): (517)884-1829.
- *Abstract
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- *Principal Investigator
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Name: James Luyendyk, Associate Professor
Department: Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation
- Country/Region
- USA
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