cntfax15

**CNTFAx15** is a second-generation analog of ciliary neurotrophic factor (**CNTF**), specifically a truncated form of CNTF lacking the last 15 C-terminal amino acids. It is designed as a therapeutic agent for metabolic disorders, primarily obesity and insulin resistance/diabetes. CNTFAx15 acts through leptin-like pathways, activating hypothalamic STAT3 signaling, leading to preferential fat loss, reduced food intake, and increased energy expenditure without causing muscle wasting. In preclinical models (diet-induced obese mice and diabetic mice), CNTFAx15 administration produced significant reductions in body weight and fat mass, improved glycemic response and metabolic profiles, and induced marked changes in hepatic gene expression—particularly the rapid downregulation of SCD-1, a key enzyme in lipid synthesis, and upregulation of pathways promoting fatty acid oxidation. It also suppressed hypothalamic neuropeptide Y and agouti-related protein expression, increased uncoupling protein 1 in brown adipose tissue, and enhanced basal metabolic rate. CNTFAx15 has delayed and persistent effects on weight loss and metabolic regulation, exceeding what would be expected from food restriction alone. The drug was developed as AXOKINE for obesity therapy.

Brand names

AXOKINE

Other names

ciliary neurotrophic factor Ax15truncated CNTFsecond-generation CNTF analog