Metabolic research
GLP-1s, lipolytics, and visceral-fat compounds. Below is the published literature for each compound in this area — 94 studies in total, 57 of them published since 2023, every one linked to its source record.
- MetabolicPreclinical only
5-Amino-1MQ
5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a cell-permeable small-molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), the enzyme that methylates nicotinamide and thereby consumes S-adenosylmethionine and diverts nicotinamide away from NAD+ salvage. Interest in the target followed a 2014 Nature report that antisense knockdown of NNMT in adipose tissue and liver protected mice against diet-induced obesity. Subsequent work characterised 5-amino-1MQ and related quinolinium inhibitors in diet-induced obese rodents, aged skeletal muscle, sarcopenia and peripheral artery disease models, alongside medicinal-chemistry and mechanism-of-inhibition studies. The published evidence base is entirely preclinical; no human clinical trial of 5-amino-1MQ has been reported in the peer-reviewed literature.
- Studies
- 15
- Since 2023
- 8
- Newest
- 2026
- MetabolicEarly clinical
AOD-9604
AOD-9604 is a synthetic hexadecapeptide corresponding to the C-terminal lipolytic domain of human growth hormone (Tyr-hGH 177-191, commonly written as hGH fragment 176-191). Preclinical work published between 1993 and 2001 characterised the fragment's effects on lipolysis, lipogenesis and fat oxidation in rodent models and reported that these effects occurred without measurable interaction with the hGH receptor or IGF-1 elevation. The compound subsequently entered human obesity trials, whose pooled safety and tolerability data were published in 2013, and non-clinical genotoxicity and chronic toxicology data supporting a food-ingredient position were published in 2014; no efficacy trial has appeared as a standalone peer-reviewed report. Later literature is dominated by anti-doping analytical chemistry, a rabbit intra-articular osteoarthritis study, and narrative reviews of peptides in orthopaedics and sports medicine.
- Studies
- 17
- Since 2023
- 4
- Newest
- 2026
- MetabolicApproved drug
Lemon Bottle
Injectable lipolysis has been studied mainly as deoxycholic acid (ATX-101), a synthetic bile salt approved for submental fat reduction on the basis of two phase 3 randomised trials (REFINE-1 and REFINE-2), and as compounded phosphatidylcholine/sodium deoxycholate formulations, which were never approved for this use. Preclinical work indicated that the deoxycholate component, acting as a detergent that disrupts cell membranes, was the principal adipocytolytic agent rather than phosphatidylcholine. The reported adverse-event profile includes injection-site swelling and induration, marginal mandibular nerve paresis, skin ulceration and necrosis, fibrosis, and post-procedural infection, with animal data documenting demyelinating nerve injury after intrafascicular exposure. The branded product marketed as 'Lemon Bottle' was not identified in any peer-reviewed clinical or mechanistic study, so the evidence described here relates to deoxycholic acid and phosphatidylcholine/deoxycholate rather than to that specific formulation.
- Studies
- 17
- Since 2023
- 10
- Newest
- 2026
- MetabolicClinical
Lipo-C Fat Blaster
Lipo-C refers to a compounded injectable mixture whose typical constituents are methionine, inositol, choline, L-carnitine and vitamin B12. The published literature addresses these substances individually rather than as a combined injection, and the bulk of that evidence comes from oral supplementation trials and observational nutrition studies. Component-level findings span body-composition meta-analyses for L-carnitine, hepatic steatosis work for choline, insulin-sensitivity and gestational diabetes meta-analyses for myo-inositol, small human studies of dietary methionine restriction, and status and route-of-administration analyses for vitamin B12. Evidence generated for one component under one route and dose does not transfer to a multi-ingredient injectable preparation.
- Studies
- 15
- Since 2023
- 11
- Newest
- 2026
- MetabolicClinical
Retatrutide
Retatrutide (LY3437943) is an investigational single-peptide triple agonist of the GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, first described in preclinical rodent pharmacology and phase 1 studies in 2022 and subsequently in phase 2 randomised trials in obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Phase 2 reports documented dose-dependent reductions in body weight, HbA1c and liver fat content, alongside predominantly gastrointestinal adverse events. A registrational phase 3 programme (TRIUMPH-1 to TRIUMPH-4) and a separate TRANSCEND programme in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease have been described in published design papers, and the first phase 3 readout (TRANSCEND-T2D-1) was published in The Lancet in 2026. As of August 2026 the compound was not an approved medicine in any jurisdiction.
- Studies
- 15
- Since 2023
- 13
- Newest
- 2026
- MetabolicApproved drug
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin (TH9507) is a synthetic analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates endogenous, pulsatile growth hormone secretion via the GHRH receptor. It was evaluated in large multicentre phase 3 trials in people with HIV and excess abdominal fat, where visceral adipose tissue was the primary endpoint, and was subsequently approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Later investigator-initiated trials extended the work to hepatic fat in NAFLD/MASLD, to neurocognitive endpoints in mild cognitive impairment and in HIV, and to lean mass and physical function. Recent literature is dominated by meta-analyses of the HIV lipodystrophy trials, MASLD reviews, and preclinical GHRH-agonist neurobiology.
- Studies
- 15
- Since 2023
- 11
- Newest
- 2026
Latest published research
Emerging opportunities for nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitor clinical translation
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences · review of NNMT inhibitor pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and translational prospects
PubMed · 42067476Peptides for Targeting Chondrogenic Induction and Cartilage Regeneration in Osteoarthritis
Cartilage · narrative review of chondroinductive peptides across in vitro and animal osteoarthritis models (online first September 2024; assigned to a 2026 issue)
PubMed · 39291443Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance
Sports Medicine · narrative review contrasting approved and unapproved peptides in sports medicine, AOD9604 among them
PubMed · 41966639The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis: bridging the gap between clinical evidence and patient self-administration
Frontiers in Endocrinology · narrative review of GH-IGF1 axis peptides including GHRH analogues, secretagogues and hGH fragments
PubMed · 42395176Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Global Research and Reviews · narrative review of peptides used in orthopaedic injury management
PubMed · 41490200Extracellular phosphatidylcholine functions as a noncanonical TLR4 activator to drive adipocyte lipolysis and apoptosis
Frontiers in Pharmacology · 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to phosphatidylcholine at 0-25 mg/mL
PubMed · 42137329Heterotopic ossification of the masseter muscle following injection lipolysis: A case report and review
Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery · single case report, 35-year-old woman after jawline injection lipolysis
PubMed · 42242003Injection lipolysis in aesthetic medicine: mechanisms, clinical safety, and clinical applications
Frontiers in Medicine · narrative review of injection lipolysis mechanisms, safety and indications
PubMed · 42559057
For research purposes only. Not for human consumption, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any condition. Nothing on this page is medical advice.