Studies suggest that Adipotide, often referred to as FTPP, is an experimental compound that has been studied in relation to its potential impact on weight. Research indicates that it may be designed to dissipate fat cells by targeting their blood supply.
Adipotide Peptide: What is it?
Investigations purport that Adipotide, also known as FTPP or proapoptotic peptide, may potentially be able to eradicate fat cells by specifically targeting the blood supply of those cells. Interestingly, Adipotide is believed to be very selective since it has been hypothesized to differentiate the blood vessels found in fat cells from those found throughout the rest of the organism. Research conducted on monkeys has indicated that Adipotide may lead to weight reduction, increase insulin sensitivity, and mitigate some of the negative consequences of type 2 diabetes.
Adipotide Peptide and Fat Cells
To determine whether Adipotide FTPP might kill fat cells, it was produced and evaluated using research studies in 2011. According to investigations conducted on primates, Adipotide seemed to target apoptosis in rhesus monkeys’ white adipose tissue (fat) blood vessels. Fat cells were suggested by researchers to simply perish following a deprivation of blood supply. Rapid weight loss, quick reduction in body mass index (BMI), and reduced insulin resistance features were the overall hypothesized outcomes of this particular intervention. Interestingly, Adipotide and subsequent fat reduction were speculated to have improved weight and contributed to changes in the observed eating habits of the primates.
There is a possibility that a protein receptor known as prohibitin may be responsible for mediating the targeting of Adipotide to the blood arteries that supply fat cells. Prohibitin is a membrane protein found in cancer cells and blood arteries serving white fat. Perhaps it is only present in these two places. These findings have indicated that this protein may be associated with adiposity.
Adipotide Peptide and Cancer Cells
Prohibitin, the chemical Adipotide most likely targets, has been linked to different forms of cancer. Scientists consider it a recognized requirement of cancer cells to need a large blood supply to thrive and spread to other areas of the organism. Suppose it is possible to target prohibitin in cancer cells. In that case, it may potentially be possible to develop more sophisticated approaches that target cancer without causing damage to the tissues around it.
Adipotide Peptide and Glucose
Glucose tolerance describes the ability to tolerate blood sugar levels greater than usual. The disease is often diagnosed with a blood test, which may be verified by measuring glucose levels. Increasing glucose tolerance indicates a progression toward diabetes; glucose tolerance is considered to be a proxy test for diabetes. In general, the majority species examined in research studies with impaired glucose tolerance are reported go on to develop overt type 2 diabete.
According to the findings of research conducted on Adipotide, the peptide may potentially be capable of producing a quick and weight-independent increase in the organism’s ability to tolerate glucose. The last component is important because it suggests that a decrease in white fat via adipose may possibly reduce glucose tolerance, independent of its influence on weight. Not only do these discoveries pave the way for novel approaches for pre-diabetes and diabetes research, but they also contribute to the clarification and explanation of the processes that are considered responsible for the development of diabetes in the first place.
However, there is considerable debate over whether Adipotide may potentially promote fat loss or reduce the amount of food consumed, which might indirectly lead to fat loss. There is a good chance that Adipotide may be directly responsible for fat reduction. The fact that the peptide may impact glucose tolerance without producing weight loss and induce changes in fat cell density without causing weight loss is speculation that lends credence to this concept.
Adipotide Peptide Future Research
For the most part, research on Adipotide is focused on the context of diabetes and weight reduction. The peptide has been speculated to target certain cells in the blood arteries that feed fat tissue, causing those blood vessels to die and, consequently, causing the fat cells they supply to die. Research indicates that an anti-angiogenic peptide, also known as Adipotide, may possibly selectively target blood vessels. Within the realm of cancer, anti-angiogenic compounds are now receiving much attention. The number of studies that have been done on the possible function of Adipotide in cancer is small, but it suggests promise.
References
[i] K.F. Barnhart et al., “A peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys,” Sci. Transl. Med., vol. 3, no. 108, p. 108ra112, Nov. 2011.
[ii] M. G. Kolonin, P. K. Saha, L. Chan, R. Pasqualini, and W. Arap, “Reversal of obesity by targeted ablation of adipose tissue,” Nat. Med., vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 625–632, Jun. 2004.
[iii] F.I. Staquicini et al., “Vascular ligand-receptor mapping by direct combinatorial selection in cancer patients,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., vol. 108, no. 46, pp. 18637–18642, Nov. 2011.
[iv] D.-H. Kim et al., “Rapid and weight-independent improvement of glucose tolerance induced by a peptide designed to elicit apoptosis in adipose tissue endothelium,” Diabetes, vol. 61, no. 9, pp. 2299–2310, Sep. 2012.
[v] L. Criscione, “Comment on ‘a peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys,’” Sci. Transl. Med., vol. 4, no. 131, pp. 131le2; author reply 131lr2, Apr. 2012.
[vi] Barnhart KF, Christianson DR, Hanley PW, et al. A peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys. Sci Transl Med. 2011;3(108):108ra112. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3002621
