2/5/05
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Palatin Technologies' small molecule melanocortin agonist has performed well in recent trials, reducing body weight and improving metabolic parameters in animal models of obesity.
Palatin Technologies' small molecule melanocortin agonist has performed well in recent trials, reducing body weight and improving metabolic parameters in animal models of obesity.
The company's small molecule, melanocortin receptor subtype-4 (MC4) selective agonist was shown to reduce food intake and body weight and improve metabolic parameters in rodent models of obesity.
The research involved peripheral administration of the MC4 receptor-selective agonist to mice that became obese after being raised on a high-fat diet for several weeks. Administration of the MC4 receptor-selective agonist on a daily basis resulted in a 12% reduction in body weight by ten days. This decrease in body weight was associated with a reduction in body fat, as well as decreased levels of blood glucose and plasma insulin.
In addition to its effects in diet-induced obese animals, the MC4 receptor-selective agonist also was effective at reducing the body weight of genetically obese mice that are deficient in leptin, a protein involved in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure.
Melanocortin (MC)-based therapeutics are currently one of the fastest growing areas of pharmaceutical R&D. MC receptors are involved in the control of endocrine, autonomic and central nervous system functions and have been identified as playing a key role in conditions and diseases such as sexual dysfunction, obesity, cachexia and inflammation.