Obesity is a pandemic and everyone is well-aware of its health risks. It increases the risk of endocrine disorder, hypertension, degenerative diseases, cancer, cardiovascular issues, and many health disorders. When the white adipocytes pile up, the person is susceptible to lipomatosis and lipoma. An abdominal adiposity is an active form of adiposity that triggers the accumulation of white adipocytes.
Multiple types of research were conducted on it. Studies on mice and monkey show that when the vascular bed of white adipocytes endures an peptide persuaded by selective apoptosis, it results in metabolic process normalization including weight loss and insulin function.
What is Adipotide FTPP?
FTPP [Fat Targeted Proapoptotic Peptide] is a weight loss injectable treatment that is still in an experimental stage. FTPP Adipotide targets the blood supply to the fat cells and kills them.
It was discovered and researched for cancer treatment but revealed the potential to treat obesity. The researchers presumed the compound would avert blood supply to carcinogenic cancer cells. This would result in cell death and even inhibit carcinogenic cell growth.
On the other hand, the outcome was that the peptide exhibited the same mechanism on fat cells rather than the carcinogenic cells. An animal study was interesting, opening doors to research on it’s full potential in human cells. Currently, it is unavailable for human consumption, and is sold for research purposes only.
How is Adipotide assumed to function?
Researchers isolated a natural peptide using the phage display method. When it was blended with a proapoptotic sequence, a new compound called adipotide was formed. It has the same peptide-sequence structure found in white adipose tissue. Due to these characteristics, the peptide can target PHB1 [Prohibitin] present on the adipose tissue surface. It attaches to PBH1 cells and damages it causing blood supply disturbance to fat-forming cells [adipocytes]. PHB1 is a fatty tissue vascular marker and it detects these markers. It performs apoptosis or kills fat cells.
Researchers assumed that it would burst fat cells to a point causing rapid invasion of fat cells triggering metabolism chaos and increased appetite. Increased appetite is a common side effect of anti-obesity drugs. Fortunately, these concerns were all ruled out in this peptide. It influenced more research.
Adipotide research and its potential
Adipotide & fat loss
In 2011, it was formulated and placed in clinical trial phase I on monkeys for studying its ability for killing fat cells. It targeted apoptosis in white adipose tissue’s blood vessels. The fat cells die without blood supply. The final outcomes were a quick decrease in BMI, rapid weight loss, and enhanced insulin resistance. Its treatment dramatically caused weight loss and even helped in eating behavior changes. The monkeys that lost weight consumed less food.
Adipotide & cancer
Prohibitin is a protein membrane found in blood vessels that serves the white adipocytes and cancer cells. It targets Prohibitin in fat cells which are connected to some kind of cancer. Cancer cells need a substantial blood supply to grow and spread. The peptide’s capability to target Prohibitin in the cancer cells can offer a chance to treat the advanced cancer phase without any concerns about surrounding tissue harm.
Adipotide & insulin tolerance
A high blood sugar level indicates increased glucose tolerance and a path toward diabetes. Elevated blood sugar level treatment is possible with a strict diet and workout but it needs commitment and motivation. It takes a lot of time to reach the goal. People with damaged glucose tolerance ultimately develop type II diabetes, which needs drugs and even insulin in some cases. The research has proved to generate quick fat loss, which in turn reduces glucose tolerance. Loss of fat is crucial in pre and diabetic treatment.
The peptide triggers the change in fat cell density. So, there is no weight loss but fat loss that affects glucose tolerance.