Effects of a novel MC4R agonist on maintenance of reduced body weight in diet-induced obese mice.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The physiology of the weight-reduced (WR) state suggests that pharmacologic agents affecting energy homeostasis may have greater efficacy in WR individuals. Our aim was to establish a protocol that allows for evaluation of efficacy of weight maintenance agents and to assess the effectiveness of AZD2820, a novel melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist in such a paradigm.

Methods

MC4R agonist was administered in stratified doses to mice who were either fed high-fat diet ad libitum (AL) throughout the study; or stabilized at a 20% reduced body weight (BW), administered the drug for 4 weeks, and thereafter released from caloric restriction while continuing to receive the drug (WR).

Results

After release of WR mice to AL feeding, the high-dose group (53.4 nmol/day

SUBMITTER: Skowronski AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4008720 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature