Weight Loss & Metabolic Function Research
The incretin, amylin, and mitochondrial-metabolism research behind our weight loss research line.
How This Works
This category includes some of the most clinically significant compounds in the entire catalog: incretin/glucagon receptor agonists (Cagrilintide, Retatrutide) sit alongside mitochondrial-metabolism research tools (5-Amino-1MQ, MOTS-c). Two closely related, already-approved medications in this same mechanism class — semaglutide and tirzepatide — have their own dedicated, fully-cited research pages, but are intentionally not included in this category's shop-linked research grid, since they are the literal active ingredients of prescription-only drugs; see their individual pages for full mechanism and trial data.
Compounds Behind This Category
5-Amino-1MQ
5-Amino-1MQ is a selective, membrane-permeable inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that consumes SAM to methylate nicotinamide, depleting cellular SAM and NAD+ pools. Inhibiting NNMT raises intracellular SAM and NAD+ in adipocytes, suppressing lipogenesis and promoting fat oxidation in mouse models — reducing adiposity without reducing food intake. No human safety or efficacy data exist; the founding mouse study observed no adverse effects during short-term dosing, but that is a single short preclinical study, not a toxicology program.
ExploreCagrilintide
Cagrilintide is a long-acting synthetic amylin analogue that agonizes amylin (AMY1R/AMY3R) and calcitonin receptors, slowing gastric emptying and increasing satiety via hindbrain signaling. It is studied both alone and, more prominently, in combination with semaglutide, where it synergizes via complementary appetite pathways. In the Phase 3 REDEFINE 1 trial, the combination produced 20.4% mean weight reduction at 68 weeks versus 3.0% for placebo; gastrointestinal adverse events (nausea, vomiting, constipation) were the dominant safety finding, occurring in roughly 80% of combination-treated participants versus 40% on placebo, mostly mild-to-moderate.
ExploreRetatrutide
Retatrutide is a synthetic peptide engineered as a single-molecule agonist at three receptors: GLP-1R, GIPR, and the glucagon receptor (GCGR). Combined GLP-1/GIP agonism enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and satiety; the added glucagon receptor agonism is believed to increase energy expenditure and hepatic fat oxidation, proposed to explain the larger fat-mass reductions seen versus GLP-1-only or GLP-1/GIP dual-agonist therapies. In its Phase 2 obesity trial, the 12 mg dose produced up to 24.2% weight loss at 48 weeks versus placebo; gastrointestinal adverse events were the most common finding across trials, and a body-composition substudy found dose-dependent fat-mass reductions with relatively preserved lean mass.
ExploreMOTS-c
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene — a "mitochondrial-derived peptide." It signals to skeletal muscle, suppressing folate-linked purine synthesis and activating AMPK; exercise induces endogenous MOTS-c, and exogenous dosing in mice mimics exercise-associated metabolic benefits including improved insulin sensitivity. No established human safety or dosing data exist for exogenous administration — human evidence to date is limited to measuring endogenous expression during exercise, not administering the peptide itself.
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