Azaftig, a urinary proteoglycan from a cachectic cancer patient, causes profound weight loss in mice

Cachexia is a complex medical condition characterized by significant weight loss associated with decreased body fat and protein; the condition may pre sent itself with or without anorexia. We have isolated and partially charac terized a proteoglycan (azaftig) from the urine of cancer and AIDS patients experiencing weight loss. When given to mice, the purified azaftig resulte d in a significant decrease in body weight and body fat without any effect on appetite. The results of these studies show that azaftig may be one of t he many factors participating in the emergence of the cachectic state.