RM-493, a melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, increases resting energy expenditure in obese individuals.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

Activation of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) with the synthetic agonist RM-493 decreases body weight and increases energy expenditure (EE) in nonhuman primates. The effects of MC4R agonists on EE in humans have not been examined to date.

OBJECTIVE, DESIGN, AND SETTING:

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, we examined the effects of the MC4R agonist RM-493 on resting energy expenditure (REE) in obese subjects in an inpatient setting.

STUDY PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS:

Twelve healthy adults (6 men and 6 women) with body mass index of 35.7 ± 2.9 kg/m(2) (mean ± SD) received RM-493 (1 mg/24 h) or placebo by continuous subcutaneous infusion over 72 hours, followed immediately by crossover to the alternate treatment. All subjects received a weight-maintenance diet (50% carbohydrate, 30% fat, and 20% protein) and performed 30 minutes of standardized exercise daily. Continuous EE was measured on the third treatment day in a room calorimeter, and REE in the fasting state was defined as the mean of 2 30-minute resting periods.

RESULTS:

RM-493 increased REE vs placebo by 6.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.68-13.02%), on average by 111 kcal/24 h (95% confidence interval, 15-207 kcal, P = .03). Total daily EE trended higher, whereas the thermic effect of a test meal and exercise EE did not differ significantly. The 23-hour nonexercise respiratory quotient was lower during RM-493 treatment (0.833 ± 0.021 vs 0.848 ± 0.022, P = .02). No adverse effect on heart rate or blood pressure was observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Short-term administration of the MC4R agonist RM-493 increases REE and shifts substrate oxidation to fat in obese individuals.

• Authors: Kong Y Chen, Ranganath Muniyappa, Brent S Abel, Katherine P Mullins, Pamela Staker, Robert J Brychta, Xiongce Zhao, Michael Ring, Tricia L Psota, Roger D Cone, Brandon L Panaro, Keith M Gottesdiener, Lex H T Van der Ploeg, Marc L Reitman, Monica C Skarulis
• Journal: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (J Clin Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 100 Issue 4 Pg. 1639-45 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1945-7197 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25675384 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4
• setmelanotide
• alpha-MSH

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Obesity Agents (administration & dosage)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Cross-Over Studies
• Double-Blind Method
• Energy Metabolism (drug effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (metabolism, therapy)
• Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4 (agonists)
• Rest
• Weight Reduction Programs
• Young Adult
• alpha-MSH (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)