Palatin small molecule performs well in obesity study

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.