Metabolic peptides

23 peptides tagged metabolic. Each page carries the dosing reference, mechanism, evidence grade and references.

PeptideLab is an educational platform for learning about peptides. The information here is for educational and research purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and PeptideLab does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Many peptides discussed have not been approved for human use by the FDA or other regulatory bodies. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decision.

  • 5-Amino-1MQ

    Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium), not a peptide; in diet-induced obese mice it lowered body weight and fat mass and raised adipocyte NAD+ without changing food intake.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Adipotide (FTPP)

    Proapoptotic peptidomimetic that binds prohibitin on white-fat blood vessels; 4 weeks of daily dosing cut body weight 7 to 15% in obese rhesus monkeys, with reversible kidney tubule effects.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • AICAR

    Nucleoside AMPK activator (AICA riboside) that mimics exercise signalling, increasing glucose uptake, fat oxidation and running endurance in mice.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • AOD9604

    Modified hGH fragment (Tyr plus hGH 177-191) that reduced weight gain and raised fat oxidation in obese rodents; six human trials found no IGF-1 or glucose effects, with efficacy results unpublished.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Cagrilintide

    Long-acting lipidated amylin analog that activates amylin and calcitonin receptors; once-weekly 0.3 to 4.5 mg cut body weight 6.0 to 10.8% at 26 weeks in a phase 2 trial (n=706).

    Evidence: Clinical

  • GH Fragment 176-191

    Synthetic C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176-191). Related fragments cut fat gain in obese rodents; the one study of 176-191 itself found a brief rise in blood glucose in rats.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Ghrelin

    28-amino-acid stomach hormone and the endogenous GHS-R1a ligand; drives hunger, GH release and gastric motility in human infusion studies.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • GW501516

    Small-molecule PPAR-delta agonist (Cardarine), not a peptide. Raised HDL and lowered LDL and triglycerides in 2 to 12 week human trials; development stopped after rodent studies found tumours at all doses.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Liraglutide

    Once-daily acylated GLP-1 analog; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (2010) and obesity (2014), with generics since 2024. In SCALE, 3 mg lost 8.4 kg over 56 weeks versus 2.8 kg on placebo.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Mazdutide

    Oxyntomodulin-based GLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist peptide; approved in China by the NMPA in 2025 for weight management and type 2 diabetes; 14.0% weight loss at 6 mg over 48 weeks in phase 3.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Methylene Blue

    Phenothiazine redox dye (not a peptide) that can act as an alternative electron carrier in mitochondria; low oral doses studied in humans for memory and cerebral metabolism.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • MOTS-c

    Sixteen-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA gene; shown in animal models to activate AMPK and act as an exercise mimetic improving insulin sensitivity.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • NAD+

    Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, the central redox coenzyme; a 2026 randomized trial of intravenous NAD+ at 10 mg/day for 7 days raised ejection fraction in 180 ischemic cardiomyopathy patients.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • NMN

    Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a direct oral precursor to NAD+; human trials report raised NAD+ metabolites and improved muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Orforglipron

    Small-molecule, non-peptide oral GLP-1 receptor agonist; approved by the FDA in April 2026 as Foundayo for weight management after 72-week phase 3 trials (11.2% loss at the top dose).

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Pancragen

    Khavinson-series synthetic tetrapeptide (KEDW-NH2) for pancreas; improved glucose tolerance in old rhesus monkeys and diabetic rats, plus one small human study against untreated controls.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Retatrutide

    Investigational once-weekly agonist of GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors; in the 80-week TRIUMPH-1 phase 3 trial (n=2339), 12 mg gave 25.0% weight loss versus 3.9% with placebo.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Semaglutide

    Acylated GLP-1 receptor agonist; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (2017) and obesity (2021). In STEP 1, 2.4 mg weekly gave 14.9% weight loss at 68 weeks versus 2.4% with placebo.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • SLU-PP-332

    Small-molecule ERR-alpha/beta/gamma pan-agonist studied as an exercise mimetic; shown in mice to switch on exercise-like gene programs, raising fat oxidation and endurance.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • SS-31 (Elamipretide)

    Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that binds cardiolipin. FDA granted accelerated approval on 2025-09-19 as FORZINITY, 40 mg subcutaneously once daily, to improve muscle strength in Barth syndrome.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Survodutide

    Glucagon and GLP-1 receptor dual agonist peptide (BI 456906); in phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1, 3.6 and 6.0 mg weekly cut body weight 12.2 to 13.0% vs 5.4% with placebo at 76 weeks.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Thyrotropin TRH

    Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), a hypothalamic tripeptide that triggers pituitary TSH and prolactin release; used clinically as a diagnostic challenge of the thyroid axis.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Tirzepatide

    Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (2022) and obesity (2023). In SURMOUNT-1, 15 mg weekly gave 20.9% weight loss at 72 weeks versus 3.1% with placebo.

    Evidence: Clinical

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