Aditpotide is an experimental weight loss peptidomimetic with the amino acid sequence CKGGRAKDC-GG-D(KLAKLAK)2, which has been developed by researchers in the United States in an effort to fight obesity. Peptidomimetics are small protein-like chains designed to mimic a peptide. The peptide called Adipotide has been developed by U.S. researchers in the fight against the obesity . This experimental treatment has reduced by 11% the weight of the treated monkeys by reducing fatty tissue, the BMI, and waist circumference.

Clinical Research studies have shown that the peptide-like compound, Adipotide, is able to kill fat cells thereby causing a decrease in the volume and mass of the subcutaneous fat, and this in turn leads to weight loss. Adipotide is able to kill the adipocytes (fat cells) by selectively causing programmed cell death (apoptosis) of the blood vessels supplying the adipocytes. Due to the deprivation of nutrient supply, the subsequent starvation (which causes cellular atrophy or decrease in cell size) and the accumulation of waste products in the adipocytes; an irreversible injury occurs and this leads the mitochondria to release protease enzymes called caspases (specific factors that initiate the apoptotic process) which activate the transcription (a process whereby DNA is used to create mRNA) and translation (a process whereby mRNA is used to create the nascent primary peptide) of gene sequences which ultimately leads to the production of proteins that effect the apoptotic process.

 

Molecular studies have revealed that Adipotide possess a unique stereo-chemical (3D) conformation which enables it to bind to only two receptors in the body: ANXA-2 and prohibitin. These receptors are located on the surface of the endothelium (innermost wall lining) of the blood vessels supplying the white adipocytes, and as such, these receptors confer tissue specificity to adipotide. Formation of white adipocytes only occurs when the extent of energy consumption far exceeds energy utilization, and its (white adipocytes) formation and accumulation in the subcutaneous layer serves as a hallmark of obesity.

Obesity

Pathological studies have shown that obesity serves a risk factor for a myriad of diseases such as cancer, hypertension, endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemias and metabolic syndrome), cardiovascular disease (such as stroke and myocardial infarctions) and degenerative diseases (such as osteoarthritis). Moreover, aberrant accumulation of white adipocytes predisposes the affected individual to lipoma and lipomatosis. It is well known that abdominal adiposity is mainly caused by white adipocytes, and this form of adiposity is the most lipolytically active, thus requiring a steady blood supply. Any interference with the blood supply causes it to activate the apoptotic process.

Selected Studies

Studies done by Mikhail G Kolonin et al have shown that adipotide has the capabilities of inducing apoptosis of the vascular bed of the white adipocytes in mice, and this resulted in the normalization of metabolic processes.

A related study conducted by Kirstin F. Barnhart et al on monkeys have shown that adipotide induced apoptosis of the vascular bed of the white adipocytes with a resultant weight loss and normalization of insulin function. These studies show that adipotide does cause weight loss by inducing selective apoptosis.

 

 Adipotide and Fat Loss / Weight Loss

Adipotide is an experimental treatment that prevents the blood supply to fat cells. This has helped obese monkeys to lose on average 11% of their body weight in four weeks, perhaps opening the way for therapy in humans, according to a recent research study. The study, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine , shows that body mass index and waist circumference of the rhesus monkeys were reduced.