Bremelanotide

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Bremelanotide
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(3R,6R,9S,12R,15R,23R)-15-{[(2R)-2-

Acetamidohexanoyl]amino}-9-benzyl- 6-(3-carbamimidamidopropyl)-12- (1H-imidazol-5-ylmethyl)-3-(1H-indol- 3-ylmethyl)-2,5,8,11,14,17-hexaoxo- 1,4,7,10,13,18-hexaazacyclotricosane -23-carboxylic acid

Identifiers
CAS number 189691-06-3
ATC code  ?
PubChem 23725087
Chemical data
Formula C50H68N14O10 
Mol. mass 1025.2
SMILES eMolecules & PubChem
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism  ?
Half life  ?
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

?

Legal status

?(US)

Routes  ?

Bremelanotide (pronounced /brɛ ˌmɛ læ noʊ ˈtаɪd/ bremelanotide-pronunciation.ogg bremelanotide ) (formerly PT-141) is a compound under drug development by Palatin Technologies as a treatment for hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion injury. It functions by activating the melanocortin receptors MC1R and MC4R, to modulate inflammation and limiting ischemia. [1] It was originally developed for use in treating sexual dysfunction but this application was discontinued in 2008, after concerns were raised over adverse side effects of increased blood pressure.

Contents

[edit] Development

Originally, the peptide Melanotan II, that bremelanotide was developed from, was tested as a sunless tanning agent. In initial testing, Melanotan II did induce tanning but additionally caused sexual arousal and spontaneous erections as unexpected side effects in nine out of the ten original male volunteer test subjects.[2]

In studies, bremelanotide was shown to induce lordosis in an animal model [3] and be effective in treating sexual dysfunction in both men (erectile dysfunction or impotence) and women (sexual arousal disorder). Unlike Viagra and other related medications, it does not act upon the vascular system, but directly increases sexual desire via the nervous system. [4]

A Phase III clinical trial was scheduled to begin in the first half of 2007, but was delayed until August 2007. On August 30, Palatin announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had expressed serious concerns regarding the risk/benefit ratio of bremelanotide with regards to the side effect of increased blood pressure. The FDA stated that they would consider alternate uses for bremelanotide, including as a treatment for individuals who do not respond to more established ED treatments. However, On May 13, 2008, Palatin Technologies announced it "has discontinued development of Bremelanotide for the treatment of male and female sexual dysfunction" however they concurrently announced plans to develop it as a treatment for hemorrhagic shock instead. [5] The company additionally announced intentions to focus its attention on another compound, PL-6983, that causes lower blood pressure in animal models. [6]

[edit] Structure

Bremelanotide is a cyclic hepta-peptide lactam analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) that activates the melanocortin receptors MC3-R and MC4-R in the central nervous system. It has the amino acid sequence Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-OH or cyclo-[Nle4, Asp5, D-Phe7, Lys10]alpha-MSH-(4-10). It is a metabolite of Melanotan II that lacks the C-terminal amide function.

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