What it is
Adipotide is a prohibitin-targeting peptidomimetic (a molecule that mimics a peptide) designed to trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in the blood vessels that supply white adipose tissue, effectively starving fat stores. Primate research showed weight reduction and also kidney effects, which are the defining safety issue with this compound.
It has never been approved for human use. In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under weight loss.
How it's thought to work
Adipotide is a homing peptide that targets prohibitin on the endothelium (inner lining) of white fat blood vessels, linked to a pro-apoptotic sequence. Binding triggers programmed cell death in those vessels, reducing the blood supply that adipose tissue depends on.
In mice, a proapoptotic peptide targeted to prohibitin in the blood vessels of white fat caused ablation of white fat, and the authors reported rapid obesity reversal without detectable adverse effects.
What the research says
Primate research (Barnhart et al., Science Translational Medicine, 2011) reported weight and fat loss alongside kidney effects. In obese monkeys, adipotide induced apoptosis within the blood vessels of white adipose tissue and was reported to cause rapid weight loss, improved insulin resistance and a marked reduction in white adipose tissue.
The same study reported predictable and reversible changes in kidney (renal proximal tubule) function at the experimentally determined optimal doses.
The studies cited on this page are in animals, and adipotide is not FDA-approved.
Reported side effects
Kidney effects were observed in primate studies and are the central safety concern. Dehydration and injection site reactions are also listed. This page cites no human safety data for adipotide.
Reconstitution
Adipotide (FTPP) is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. It commonly comes in 10 mg vials. The amount of peptide in the vial is fixed; the water added only changes how concentrated the solution is.
Worked example. A 10 mg vial is 10,000 mcg. Reconstituted with 2 mL of BAC water, that works out to 10,000 mcg ÷ 2 mL = 5,000 mcg/mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, where each unit is 0.01 mL, each unit holds 5,000 × 0.01 = 50 mcg. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out the concentration and units for any vial size and water volume.
Important notes
Adipotide has documented kidney effects in primate research and no human results cited here. It is not FDA-approved.
Sources
- Reversal of obesity by targeted ablation of adipose tissue. Kolonin MG et al. Nature Medicine, 2004. Preclinical
- A peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys. Barnhart KF et al. Science Translational Medicine, 2011. Preclinical
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is adipotide?
A prohibitin-targeting peptidomimetic designed to trigger cell death in the blood vessels that supply white fat; it has never been approved for human use.
How is adipotide thought to work?
A homing peptide targets prohibitin on the lining of white fat blood vessels and delivers a pro-apoptotic sequence, triggering cell death in those vessels and reducing blood supply to fat tissue.
What does the research on adipotide say?
Mouse and monkey studies reported weight and fat loss, along with changes in kidney function in monkeys; the studies cited are in animals.
What are the reported side effects of adipotide?
Kidney effects seen in primate studies are the central concern, and dehydration and injection site reactions are also listed.
How much is one unit from a 10 mg Adipotide (FTPP) vial?
With 2 mL of BAC water, a 10 mg vial is 5,000 mcg/mL, so one unit on a U-100 syringe (0.01 mL) holds 50 mcg.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for Adipotide (FTPP) — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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