Palatin Study Shows Positive Results in Animal Models of Obesity

Palatin Technologies has released data from preclinical studies that indicate the company's small molecule, melanocortin receptor subtype-4 (MC4) selective agonist reduces food intake and body weight and improves metabolic parameters in rodent models of obesity.

The research involved peripheral administration of the company's 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 percent reduction in body weight by 10 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.