Melanotan 2 (MT-II) is part of the tanning peptide family and is already popular among bodybuilders. However, there are some additional benefits of Melanotan 2, which scientists are keen to research further.
Melanotan 2 is a synthetic peptide (a-MSH) and interacts with the melanocortin receptors throughout our body, stimulating physiological responses. We explore the broader benefits of Melanotan 2 below.
Key Benefits of Melanotan 2:
Increased Skin Pigmentation
Melanotan 2 is most known for its ability to stimulate skin pigmentation, doing so through a precise biological pathway that has been identified through extensive research.
MT-II functions primarily by binding to melanocortin-1 receptors (MC1R) located on melanocytes in the skin. Once activated, these receptors trigger a cascade of cellular signalling that ultimately increases the production and release of eumelanin, the dark pigment responsible for tanning.
A Phase I clinical study conducted by Dorr et al. (1996) demonstrated MT-II's tanning properties in humans. The researchers found that subjects receiving just five low doses of MT-II (0.025 mg/kg) administered subcutaneously every other day experienced measurable increases in skin pigmentation. In just one week after receiving their final dose of Melanotan 2, measurements in the subjects confirmed a quantifiable increase in their skin pigmentation.
This is the same study that discovered MT-II can actually produce skin pigmentation alone, without UV exposure, indicating potential for photoprotective applications. This differs from traditional tanning, which requires UV exposure that damages skin cells before the melanin production is stimulated as a protective response. However, because Melanotan 2 stimulates melanin production, it potentially offers a protective benefit before the damage from UV occurs.
Appetite Suppression:
A 2010 research study by Shrestha et al revealed that MT-II triggers the central melanocortin receptors and causes changes in hypothalamic neural networks that regulate appetite. This results in a series of effects across metabolic pathways that contribute to appetite suppression and potentially an increase in energy expenditure.
Furthermore, a newer 2021 study on the effect of Melanotan 2 on mice showed that when injected, MT-II increased satiety. The researchers continued to summarise their findings by revealing that these effects occurred without affecting metabolic rate, meaning there was a minimal chance of nausea or illness as a side effect.
This selective appetite suppression occurs because MT-II activates specific melanocortin receptors (MC3R/MC4R) in brain regions that regulate satiety signals. When these receptors are stimulated, they promote a feeling of fullness and reduce the drive to consume food.
Long-term studies have shown particularly interesting results. Research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that chronic central administration of MT-II produced persistent reductions in body mass in experimental models even after the initial appetite-suppressing effects had diminished. The metabolic effects contribute to body composition changes even after the body has gotten used to the initial appetite suppression.
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