Bremelanotide Research
PT-141 and Sexual ArousalPT-141 is a unique peptide in that it stimulates the MC-4R, which is known to produce sexual arousal in the central nervous
1. AOD9604 and Obesity
AOD9604 was originally developed as an analogue of HGH with the express purpose of fighting fat. Phase 2b clinical trials were completed in Australia testing the drug in 300 obese individuals. The results of once daily administration of the peptide for 12 weeks showed that the drug tripled weight loss when compared to placebo and that the rate of weight loss remained steady during the trial period[3], [4]. This latter fact indicates that a resistance to the peptide is unlikely to arise and that longer-term treatment would result in even greater weight loss.
Research in mice that are genetically prone to obesity indicates that AOD9604 most likely does not work only by affecting the beta-3-adrenergic receptors found on white fat. It was originally speculated that the peptide bound in these receptors and increased the rate of metabolism in fat cells, shifting them from a storage mode to a usage mode. It turns out that even in mice that lack these receptors, fat loss takes place when AOD9604 is administered[5]. Though the beta-3-adrenergic receptor likely plays a role in fat loss secondary to AOD9604, at least one other mechanism must be in play as well. There is some thought that AOD9604 may indirectly activate apoptosis in white fat cells.
2. Joint Pain and Function
Research in rats indicates that injections of AOD9604 directly into arthritic joints can work in synergy with existing therapies to improve pain, reduce disability, and improve quality of life[6]. Changes in both gross clinical exam and microscopic structure of cartilage in the affected joints indicates that AOD9604 is effective in treating the root cause of osteoarthritis and may work as both a treatment and preventative. Though AOD9604 is effective in reducing joint dysfunction on its own, it works better in combination with other therapies. It isn’t clear how the synergy arises, but additional research using the peptide may reveal novel pathways for improving cartilage growth, a notoriously challenging clinical problem.
3. AOD9604 and Heart Disease
Though fat reduction and weight loss directly reduce the risk of heart disease, there is evidence to suggest that AOD9604 has beneficial effects on the heart beyond its ability to reduce fat burden. It is thought that the peptide may directly affect metabolism in such a way so as to reduce complications separate from its effects on obesity. This is not unheard of, as drugs like pioglitazone and acipimox both reduce metabolic complications without treating obesity at all. It is thought that the secondary pathway by which AOD9604 causes fat loss, the pathway that is independent of beta-3-adrenergic receptor activation, may play a role in improving metabolic metrics even while it boosts fat loss[7].
AOD9604 Resources
[1] F. M. Ng, J. Sun, L. Sharma, R. Libinaka, W. J. Jiang, and R. Gianello, “Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone,” Horm. Res., vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 274–278, 2000. [PubMed]
[2] H. Stier, E. Vos, and D. Kenley, “Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans,” J. Endocrinol. Metab., vol. 3, no. 1–2, pp. 7-15–15, Apr. 2013. [Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism]
[3] “Obesity drug codenamed AOD9604 highly successful in trials,” News-Medical.net, 16-Dec-2004. [Online]. Available: https://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/12/16/6878.aspx. [Accessed: 24-May-2019].
[4] R. Zieba, “[Obesity: a review of currently used antiobesity drugs and new compounds in clinical development],” Postepy Hig. Med. Doswiadczalnej Online, vol. 61, pp. 612–626, Oct. 2007. [PubMed]
[5] M. Heffernan et al., “The Effects of Human GH and Its Lipolytic Fragment (AOD9604) on Lipid Metabolism Following Chronic Treatment in Obese Mice andβ 3-AR Knock-Out Mice,” Endocrinology, vol. 142, no. 12, pp. 5182–5189, Dec. 2001. [PubMed]
[6] D. R. Kwon and G. Y. Park, “Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model,” Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci., vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 426–432, Jul. 2015. [PubMed]
[7] M. D. Jensen, “Potential role of new therapies in modifying cardiovascular risk in overweight patients with metabolic risk factors,” Obes. Silver Spring Md, vol. 14 Suppl 3, pp. 143S-149S, Jun. 2006. [Wiley Online Library]
PT-141 and Sexual ArousalPT-141 is a unique peptide in that it stimulates the MC-4R, which is known to produce sexual arousal in the central nervous
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