Obesity and
type 2 diabetes are the most prevalent
metabolic diseases in the western world. Alarmingly, the cluster of pathologies characteristic of
obesity-induced disease have started to emerge in children, a phenomenon that up until a decade ago was inconceivable. Hence, the development of new strategies to treat '
metabolic disease' is most warranted. Growing evidence suggests that during
type 2 diabetes, a state of chronic low-grade
inflammation exists in metabolically active tissues such as the liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. This
inflammation is often secondary to
lipid accumulation in
insulin-responsive tissues. Recent studies have focused on the therapeutic potential of
ciliary neurotrophic factor (
CNTF).
CNTF is a pluripotent neurocytokine and, has shown promise as a potential anti-obesogenic
therapy.
CNTF acts both centrally and peripherally, mimics the
biological actions of
leptin while overcoming "
leptin resistance", remains effective even after termination of
therapy if administered centrally, and appears to reduce inflammatory signaling cascades associated with
lipid accumulation in liver and skeletal muscle. The advantages and disadvantages of
CNTF as a therapeutic strategy to alleviate
obesity-associated diseases will be highlighted in this review.