| CPC A61K 49/0438 (2013.01) [A61K 49/0461 (2013.01); A61K 49/0495 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
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1. A method of diagnosing cachexia or precachexia in a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
a) orally administering a peroral contrast agent to the subject, the peroral contrast agent comprising a biocompatible formulation of an iodinated fatty acid, ester, or combinations thereof with 16 to 18 carbon atoms having the following formula I:
![]() wherein:
n=14-16;
R1 is, at each occurrence, independently H or I, provided that when a number of iodine atoms is 1 to 6, the iodine atoms are not geminal or vicinal; and
R2 is H, unsaturated alkyls, saturated alkyls, linear alkyls, branched alkyls, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, or hydroxy poly alkyleneoxyalkyl;
b) obtaining an in vivo image of brown and/or beige adipose tissue (BAT) in the subject with Computed Tomography (CT); and
c) comparing the obtained in vivo image to a CT scan of a normal subject, wherein a diagnosis of cachexia or precachexia is performed by:
i) establishing positive or increased enhancement of BAT and/or beige adipose tissue; or
ii) detecting a white adipose tissue (WAT) browning and/or BAT activity in the subject.
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