Description
Fenretinide is a synthetic retinol/vitamin A analog that binds RBP4 and exhibits anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, an anticancer chemotherapeutic activities. Fenretinide increases ceramide levels in vivo. In obese mice, fenretinide increases fat oxidation and decreases levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, preventing fatty liver disease. Fenretinide also inhibits Des1, improving insulin sensitivity and normalizing glucose homeostasis in other animal models. Additionally, this compound induces caspase 3-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells and decrease tumor volume in animal models of lung cancer.