In a mouse study, the melanocortin peptide NDPMSH (similar to melanotan‑I) caused the animals to get darker fur and altered their body temperature, but it did not change their weight, fat tissue, blood sugar, or hormone levels linked to obesity and diabetes.

To test the hypothesis that a melanocortin agonist can reverse obesity and insulin resistance in mice overexpressing the agouti protein. EXPERIMENTAL MODEL: Mice overexpressing the agouti protein either by transgene introduction (beta-actin promotor) or by mutation (Ay). NDPMSH was tested for pharmacokinetic suitability. NDPMSH at various doses was administered subcutaneously twice a day for 2-3 weeks. Fur pigmentation, various fatness parameters (core temperature, fat pad weight and body weight), blood glucose and hormones, fatty acid synthase measurement. NDPMSH caused fur pigmentation and core temperature changes, but failed to affect any metabolic parameters in agouti-dependent manner. NDPMSH, as a representation melanocortin agonist, does not compete with agouti in reversing agouti-dependent metabolic effects. This suggests that 1) agouti works via a receptor other than a melanocortin receptor to mediate its metabolic effects, 2) agouti-dependent metabolic effects are mediated through melanocortin receptors but not via antagonism of these receptors, or 3) NDPMSH is pharmacodynamically an inappropriate molecule for these types of studies.