Exosomal Microrna in Serum as an Indicator for the Activation of Brown and Beige Fat Tissue (bat)

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent introduces a non-invasive method for detecting the activation of brown or beige adipose tissue (BAT)—types of body fat involved in energy expenditure—by measuring the level of a specific exosomal microRNA, miR-92, in a biological sample (like blood or serum). Lower levels of miR-92 in exosomes indicate increased BAT activity. The method offers safer, easier, and more accessible monitoring of BAT function compared to current imaging techniques that require radiation exposure and uncomfortable procedures. The technology also provides tools for diagnosing BAT-related metabolic disorders (like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases) and for screening compounds that influence BAT activation.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Clinical monitoring of BAT activity in patients with metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases.
• Non-invasive diagnostic tool for assessing BAT function in humans and animals, potentially aiding in disease risk stratification.
• Pharmaceutical research for screening and identifying compounds that activate or suppress BAT, to develop new anti-obesity or metabolic therapies.
• Longitudinal monitoring of BAT activity in response to medical interventions, lifestyle changes, or environmental factors (e.g., cold exposure).
• Research tool in basic studies on adipose tissue biology, thermogenesis, and energy metabolism.
• Development of diagnostic kits for hospitals and laboratories to detect BAT activity using blood samples.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Non-invasive: Only requires a blood or serum sample, avoiding the need for radioactive tracers or imaging.
• Safe: Avoids patient exposure to ionizing radiation and the discomfort or risks associated with cold exposure in current BAT-activation detection methods.
• High-throughput and easy to perform: Suitable for widespread clinical and research use.
• Sensitive and specific: Exosomal miR-92 levels correlate strongly and inversely with BAT activity, enabling accurate detection and quantification.
• Applicable to multiple species, including humans, mice, and other mammals.
• Enables monitoring treatment efficacy or physiological changes in BAT over time.
• Facilitates drug discovery by providing a reliable biomarker for BAT activation in compound screening assays.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for detecting activation of a brown/beige fat cell or brown/beige adipose tissue (BAT) in a biological sample taken from a mammal to be diagnosed, comprising measuring the amount of miR-92 in said sample. The invention further-more relates to diagnostic and clinical applications of the methods of the invention.