Therapeutics: Neurotrophic kinase receptor 2 (TrkB; NTRK2)

Studies in male and female mice suggest the TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) could help prevent obesity in women. In female mice fed a high-fat diet, 7,8-DHF in drinking water increased food intake, markers of lipid oxidation and markers of inhibited lipid biogenesis and decreased body weight and white adipose tissue (WAT) compared with no treatment. In male mice on the same diet, 7,8-DHF had no effect on body weight or WAT compared with no treatment. In female mice on a high-fat diet that received 7,8-DHF, TrkB knockout in muscle increased body weight compared with normal TrkB expression. Next steps by Shanghai Yuanzheng Century Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. include conducting a Phase I trial of a 7,8-DHF prodrug to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), in which weight changes will also be monitored. (See "Fat Burning Question", page 8)...