**Retatrutide: A Triple-Acting Peptide for Metabolic Health**
**Definition:**
Retatrutide is a novel triple agonist peptide targeting GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and GCGR (glucagon receptor). It is designed to regulate blood sugar, promote weight loss, and improve metabolic health by simultaneously activating these three key receptors.
**Function:**
Retatrutide works by:
1. **Enhancing Insulin Secretion:** Through GLP-1R and GIPR activation, it improves glucose control and reduces appetite.
2. **Promoting Weight Loss:** By delaying gastric emptying and increasing satiety, it significantly reduces food intake.
3. **Boosting Energy Expenditure:** Activation of GCGR stimulates fat and glycogen breakdown, increasing basal metabolism and fat loss.
**Applications:**
Retatrutide is primarily used in the treatment of:
1. **Obesity:** Clinical trials show up to 24.2% weight reduction after 48 weeks of treatment.
2. **Type 2 Diabetes:** It effectively lowers HbA1c levels by 1.3% to 2.0% within 24 weeks.
3. **Metabolic Disorders:** It shows promise in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other metabolic conditions.