MT-1 (Melanotan 1)
99% Purity Tanning Peptide Melanotan-I Injection Melanotan-1/Melanotan/Melanotan1
Product Usage: THIS PRODUCT IS INTENDED AS A RESEARCH CHEMICAL ONLY. This designation allows the use of research chemicals strictly for in vitro testing and laboratory experimentation only. All product information available on this website is for educational purposes only. Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law. This product should only be handled by licensed, qualified professionals. This product is not a drug, food, or cosmetic and may not be misbranded, misused or mislabled as a drug, food or cosmetic.
What Is Melanotan 1?
Melanotan 1 is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanotocyte stimulating hormone. It is used clinically, in Europe, to prevent sun-related skin damage (i.e. phototoxicity) from occurring in people suffering from erythropoietic protoporphyria. Though initially developed as a sunless tanning agent, melanotan 1 has been found to have a number of physiologic effects on blood pressure, feeding behavior, central nervous system function, and more. The peptide is in phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of polymorphose light eruption and is in phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of actinic keratosis (a specific type of skin damage caused by the sun) and its more serious counterpart, squamous cell carcinoma.
How Does Melanotan 1 Work?
Melanotan 1 is very similar to naturally occurring alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Alpha-MSH is primarily known for its influence on melanocytes, the cells in skin and hair responsible for pigmentation. This function is mediated via strong binding to melanocortin receptor 1. Alpha-MSH is a non-selective full agonist of melanocortin receptors 1, 3, 4, and 5.
Melanotan 1 differs from alpha-MSH by a single amino acid and was actually first developed as a sunless tanning agent. Research into melanocortin receptors and their effects was relatively limited at the time and scientists quickly discovered that while melanotan 1 did indeed cause pigmentation, it also increase sexual arousal, boosted appetite, and altered baseline metabolism. Subsequent study of melanotan 1 and other melanocortin-binding proteins helped scientists to better understand the melanocortin signaling system.
Melanotan 1 Research
Melanotan 1 Originally Designed for Sunless Tanning
MT-1 has been studied in phase 1 clinical trials for its effect on tanning in humans exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The research showed that subjects administered MT-1 were 75% more likely to tan and 47% less likely to experience sunburn. Compared to controls, subjects given melanotan 1 required 50% less exposure to ultraviolet light to achieve equivalent tanning. They also retained their tan for three weeks longer than those exposed only to UV light[1]. There is some thought among scientists that melanotan 1 could be used to boost tanning in high UV settings to protect against sunburn and the long-term effects of ultraviolet skin damage. This could be particularly useful in individuals with poor-tanning skin types (referred to as type I and type II by the Fitzpatrick scale).
Research in individuals with variant MC1 receptors shows that they are less likely to tan than the average individual. As it turns out, administration of melanotan 1 in this setting increases melanin density and tanning substantially, helping to protect people who do not tan well and are most in need of photoprotection[2]. These are individuals who get limited benefit from sunscreen and, in order to prevent skin cancer, must limit their sun exposure a great deal. This research could open pathways to better UV protection and reduce rates of skin cancer substantially.
There is also interest in using melanotan 1 to treat vitiligo. A small phase 1 trial showed that using melanotan 1 in conjunction with UVB light therapy stimulated both melanin production and the proliferation of the melanocytes that produce melanin. Nearly half of treated patients showed improved pigmentation of vitiligo lesions and a faster rate of repigmentation[3]. Research shows that combining melanotan 1 treatment with existing treatment modalities of vitiligo produces synergistic effects and improved aesthetic outcomes in shorter periods of time[4]. If successful in vitiligo treatment, there may be applications for melanotan 1 treatment in the setting of hypopigmented scars, etc.
Actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis, is a crusty scaly growth of skin caused by overexposure to UV light. It is considered a precancerous lesion that will eventually lead to squamous cell carcinoma (one type of skin cancer) if left untreated. There are more than 400,000 cases every year. Though obvious lesions can be removed by a dermatologist or surgeon, the vast majority are so small that they cannot be seen or even felt. Melanotan 1 is being investigated as a possible first-line agent for treating these invisible lesions and for preventing their progression to full-blown skin cancer.
China
