Best Peptides for Weight Loss: A Research-Based Guide for 2026
Last updated: April 2026 · Research compiled from peer-reviewed clinical literature
What are the best peptides for weight loss in 2026?
The best peptides for weight loss in 2026 are the incretin-class molecules Retatrutide, Semaglutide, and Tirzepatide, which have produced the largest and most durable reductions in body weight ever recorded in randomized clinical trials. These three compounds now lead global research into obesity pharmacotherapy, with Retatrutide emerging as the most potent candidate yet reported. Researchers evaluating the best peptides for weight loss consistently rank these incretin molecules above all other pharmacologic classes based on published clinical trial outcomes.
Beyond the GLP-1 class, specialized peptides such as AOD-9604, Tesamorelin, and MOTS-C are being investigated for more targeted roles in fat loss, visceral adiposity, and metabolic regulation. Together, these six compounds represent the frontier of peptide-based weight management research. When comparing the best peptides for weight loss across mechanism categories, these six molecules consistently emerge as the most evidence-backed options heading into 2026.
This guide summarizes the mechanisms, receptor targets, clinical trial percentages, research phases, and dosing data for each of the best peptides for weight loss covered here. Every claim is anchored to PubMed-indexed literature so researchers can evaluate the evidence base directly. For a direct head-to-head breakdown, see our dedicated comparison article: Semaglutide vs. Retatrutide vs. Tirzepatide.
Why are GLP-1 research peptides dominating weight loss science?
GLP-1 research peptides dominate modern weight loss science because they simultaneously target appetite, gastric emptying, insulin secretion, and energy expenditure through incretin receptors. No earlier pharmacologic class has produced double-digit percentage weight reductions sustained over 68 to 88 weeks in large, placebo-controlled cohorts.
The success of Semaglutide in the STEP program and Tirzepatide in the SURMOUNT program set an entirely new benchmark for obesity pharmacology. Retatrutide now extends this trajectory by activating three incretin pathways at once, pushing average weight reductions above 24% in Phase 2 data (Jastreboff et al., 2023; PMID: 37366315).
What is Retatrutide and why is it considered the most powerful weight loss peptide?
Retatrutide ranks as one of the best peptides for weight loss based on its once-weekly triple-agonist profile, simultaneously activating the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. It is the most pharmacologically ambitious incretin molecule in clinical development and produced the largest mean weight reductions ever reported for any obesity drug, exceeding 24% at the highest dose after 48 weeks.
Because of its unique triple-receptor profile, Retatrutide is considered the leading candidate among the best peptides for weight loss in the current “next-generation” class. For researchers prioritizing the best peptides for weight loss by clinical effect size, Retatrutide’s Phase 2 data are unmatched. PSPeptides supplies high-purity Retatrutide for laboratory research—explore our listing at the Retatrutide 1 vial product page.
How does Retatrutide’s mechanism of action work?
Retatrutide works by mimicking three endogenous hormones at once: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon. This triple signaling suppresses appetite, slows gastric emptying, enhances insulin sensitivity, and raises basal energy expenditure through glucagon-mediated thermogenesis.
The glucagon-receptor arm is what distinguishes Retatrutide from Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. By activating glucagon signaling in the liver, Retatrutide increases resting metabolic rate and mobilizes hepatic lipid stores, contributing to both weight loss and improvements in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) (Sanyal et al., 2024; PMID: 38856181).
What receptor targets make Retatrutide one of the best peptides for weight loss?
Retatrutide targets three class-B G-protein-coupled receptors: GLP-1R, GIPR, and GCGR. This triple-agonist design was first reported by Coskun and colleagues as a next-generation expansion of Tirzepatide’s dual incretin framework (Coskun et al., 2022; PMID: 36318925).
What weight loss percentages did Retatrutide show in clinical trials?
Retatrutide produced an average weight reduction of 24.2% at the 12 mg dose after 48 weeks in its Phase 2 obesity trial, according to Jastreboff and colleagues (NEJM, 2023; PMID: 37366315). Mean reductions were 8.7%, 17.1%, 22.8%, and 24.2% for the 1, 4, 8, and 12 mg groups respectively, versus only 2.1% in the placebo arm.
At the highest dose, 100% of participants achieved at least 5% weight loss, 83% achieved 15% or greater, and 26% lost more than 30% of their baseline body weight. No prior weight-loss pharmacotherapy has approached this magnitude in a registration-grade study.
What is Retatrutide’s current research status in 2026?
Retatrutide is currently in Phase 3 clinical development under the TRIUMPH program, which includes obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis-related weight outcomes, and MASLD endpoints. Phase 3 readouts are expected to inform a regulatory submission, though as of early 2026 Retatrutide is not yet approved by the FDA or EMA.
This is why Retatrutide remains available only as a research-use compound. Laboratories studying incretin biology, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease can source investigational material directly from our Retatrutide product page.
What dosing has been studied for Retatrutide?
Retatrutide has been studied at weekly subcutaneous doses of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 12 mg in Phase 2 research. Dose escalation typically occurred every four weeks to minimize gastrointestinal adverse effects, mirroring the titration approach used for Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.
For reconstitution procedures used in laboratory research settings, consult our peptide reconstitution guide, which covers bacteriostatic water ratios and sterile handling practices.
What is Semaglutide and how does it compare as a weight loss peptide?
Semaglutide is one of the most extensively validated best peptides for weight loss, acting as a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist. It was the first peptide-based obesity drug to produce sustained double-digit weight loss in large randomized trials and served as the benchmark against which all newer incretin molecules are measured.
Under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, Semaglutide is also a widely used research reference compound in GLP-1 pharmacology studies. Its robust evidence base across the STEP, SUSTAIN, and SELECT trial programs established incretin mimetics as the dominant pharmacologic class for obesity. As one of the best peptides for weight loss by clinical evidence volume, Semaglutide remains the gold standard comparator in incretin research.
How does Semaglutide’s mechanism explain its ranking among the best peptides for weight loss?
Semaglutide works by binding the GLP-1 receptor in pancreatic beta cells and hypothalamic appetite centers, where it enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces hunger signals. The result is reduced caloric intake alongside improved glycemic control.
Its half-life of approximately seven days is achieved through a fatty-acid side chain that enables albumin binding, allowing once-weekly subcutaneous dosing. This pharmacokinetic design became the template for later incretin peptides.
What are Semaglutide’s receptor targets?
Semaglutide selectively targets a single receptor: the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). Unlike Tirzepatide or Retatrutide, it does not engage GIP or glucagon receptors, making it a “pure” GLP-1 agonist in pharmacologic terms.
What weight loss percentages did Semaglutide show in clinical trials?
In the STEP 1 trial, Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly produced an average weight loss of 14.9% at 68 weeks, versus 2.4% with placebo (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021; PMID: 33567185). In the STEP 3 trial, which combined Semaglutide with intensive behavioral therapy, the average weight reduction reached 16.0% (Wadden et al., JAMA 2021; PMID: 33625476).
The STEP 4 withdrawal trial demonstrated that continued Semaglutide therapy was needed to maintain weight loss, as patients switched to placebo regained weight over 48 weeks (Rubino et al., JAMA 2021; PMID: 33755728). STEP 2, conducted in adults with type 2 diabetes, showed 9.6% weight loss with Semaglutide 2.4 mg (Davies et al., Lancet 2021; PMID: 33667417).
What is Semaglutide’s current research status?
Semaglutide is FDA-approved for chronic weight management under the brand Wegovy and for type 2 diabetes under Ozempic. It remains the subject of active research into cardiovascular outcomes (SELECT), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (STEP-HFpEF), and neurocognitive applications.
For laboratory studies of GLP-1 pharmacology and comparative receptor biology, reference-grade Semaglutide is widely used as a positive control. See our guide comparing it head-to-head with newer molecules in the Semaglutide vs. Retatrutide vs. Tirzepatide article.
What dosing protocols have been studied for Semaglutide as one of the best peptides for weight loss?
As one of the best peptides for weight loss, Semaglutide dosing in research follows a 16-week titration schedule: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and finally 2.4 mg weekly. This gradual escalation mitigates nausea and gastrointestinal adverse effects while allowing receptor-level adaptation.
The 2.4 mg dose represents the maintenance level used across the STEP obesity program, while doses of 0.5 to 2.0 mg are typically studied in glycemic research.
What is Tirzepatide and what makes it a dual-agonist weight loss peptide?
Tirzepatide is frequently listed among the best peptides for weight loss as a once-weekly dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, making it the first clinically validated twincretin for obesity and type 2 diabetes. It produced the largest weight reductions observed in any pharmacotherapy prior to Retatrutide, reshaping expectations for what the best peptides for weight loss can achieve.
Marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, Tirzepatide helped establish the principle that combining incretin pathways produces additive improvements in weight loss. Among the best peptides for weight loss with FDA approval, Tirzepatide remains the most potent approved option currently on the market.
How does Tirzepatide’s mechanism of action work?
Tirzepatide works by activating both the GLP-1 receptor and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor. GLP-1 activation suppresses appetite and slows gastric emptying, while GIP signaling is thought to enhance energy expenditure, improve insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue, and reduce gastrointestinal side effects through central mechanisms.
The dual-agonist design was first characterized by Coskun and colleagues, who showed that a single peptide could engage both receptors with carefully tuned affinities (Coskun et al., Molecular Metabolism 2018; PMID: 30473097).
What are Tirzepatide’s receptor targets?
Tirzepatide targets two receptors: GLP-1R and GIPR. It is engineered with GIP-biased affinity, reflecting the hypothesis that balanced dual activation yields superior metabolic effects compared with GLP-1 activation alone.
What clinical trial weight loss percentages place Tirzepatide among the best peptides for weight loss?
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, Tirzepatide produced average weight reductions of 15.0%, 19.5%, and 20.9% at weekly doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg respectively, over 72 weeks (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022; PMID: 35658024). Placebo-treated participants lost only 3.1% of body weight over the same period.
In SURPASS-2, a head-to-head diabetes trial, Tirzepatide 15 mg outperformed Semaglutide 1 mg, producing 11.2 kg weight loss versus 5.7 kg (Frias et al., NEJM 2021; PMID: 34170647). The SURMOUNT-3 trial, which added Tirzepatide after an intensive lifestyle lead-in, reported total weight reductions of up to 26.6%.
What is Tirzepatide’s current research status?
Tirzepatide is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and chronic weight management (Zepbound). It is under active investigation for heart failure, MASLD, obstructive sleep apnea (SURMOUNT-OSA), and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity.
What dosing has been studied for Tirzepatide as one of the best peptides for weight loss?
Tirzepatide has been studied at weekly doses of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. The standard titration increases the dose every four weeks, with 5 mg serving as the minimum maintenance dose and 15 mg the maximum used in obesity trials.
What is AOD-9604 and how does it target fat loss?
AOD-9604 occupies a distinct niche among the best peptides for weight loss research as a synthetic modified fragment of the C-terminus of human growth hormone (amino acids 176–191), developed specifically to promote lipolysis without the systemic growth-promoting effects of full-length GH. It has been studied as a targeted fat-loss research peptide since the early 2000s.
Unlike the GLP-1 class of best peptides for weight loss, AOD-9604 does not suppress appetite. Instead, it is hypothesized to act directly on adipocyte metabolism, making it of interest for researchers studying localized fat mobilization rather than the systemic weight reduction seen with incretin-based best peptides for weight loss.
How does AOD-9604’s mechanism differ from other best peptides for weight loss?
AOD-9604 works by stimulating lipolysis and inhibiting lipogenesis in adipose tissue, effects traditionally attributed to the C-terminal region of growth hormone. Preclinical studies in rodent models demonstrated increased fat oxidation and reduced adiposity without measurable changes in IGF-1 or blood glucose (Ng and Bornstein, 2000; PMID: 10997225).
The peptide does not appear to engage the canonical growth hormone receptor at concentrations relevant to its lipolytic effect, and its precise molecular target remains an area of active investigation.
What are AOD-9604’s receptor targets?
AOD-9604’s exact receptor target has not been definitively established. Research suggests it may act through beta-3 adrenergic pathways or through non-receptor-mediated effects on adipocyte lipid metabolism, rather than through classical GH receptor signaling.
What weight loss percentages did AOD-9604 show in clinical trials?
AOD-9604 produced modest weight reductions in human trials, with the most notable 12-week Phase 2 study reporting approximately 2.6 kg average fat mass reduction at the 1 mg daily dose compared with 0.8 kg in placebo-treated participants. The results did not reach the double-digit percentage reductions seen with incretin peptides.
Subsequent development as an obesity drug was discontinued due to the small effect size, though research continues on its potential role in cartilage repair and localized metabolic applications.
What is AOD-9604’s current research status?
AOD-9604 is not approved as a weight loss drug by the FDA or EMA. It holds GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) designation in the United States as a dietary ingredient, but this does not constitute approval as a therapeutic agent for obesity.
Current laboratory research focuses on its chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties rather than primary weight loss.
What dosing has been studied for AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 has been studied at daily subcutaneous doses ranging from 250 mcg to 1 mg in human trials. Preclinical and research protocols typically use the 300–600 mcg range once daily, administered in the morning on an empty stomach to minimize interference from circulating nutrients.
What is Tesamorelin and how does it reduce visceral fat?
Tesamorelin distinguishes itself among the best peptides for weight loss research as a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates endogenous GH secretion and has been shown to specifically reduce visceral adipose tissue. It is the only peptide in this guide that is FDA-approved with a primary indication for reducing abdominal fat, placing it in a unique regulatory position among the best peptides for weight loss targeting visceral adiposity.
Its selectivity for visceral rather than subcutaneous fat makes it a unique research tool for studying abdominal adiposity and metabolic health independent of total body weight. Researchers comparing the best peptides for weight loss will find Tesamorelin particularly relevant when the research focus is visceral fat rather than overall body mass reduction.
How does Tesamorelin’s mechanism of action work?
Tesamorelin works by binding the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone. The resulting increase in circulating GH and IGF-1 promotes lipolysis, with a preferential reduction in visceral adipose tissue rather than subcutaneous fat.
Because it restores physiologic GH pulsatility rather than delivering exogenous GH, Tesamorelin produces a more favorable side-effect profile than direct GH administration in research settings.
What are Tesamorelin’s receptor targets?
Tesamorelin targets the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) on pituitary somatotroph cells. Its effects on fat tissue are indirect, mediated through downstream increases in endogenous GH and IGF-1.
What weight loss percentages did Tesamorelin show in clinical trials?
Tesamorelin produced an average 15.2% reduction in visceral adipose tissue at 26 weeks in its pivotal Phase 3 trial, versus a 5.0% increase in placebo-treated participants (Falutz et al., NEJM 2007; PMID: 18046029). A longer 52-week extension confirmed that these reductions were sustained with continued therapy (Falutz et al., JCEM 2010; PMID: 20729621).
Subsequent research in non-HIV populations with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease demonstrated significant reductions in hepatic fat content as well (Stanley et al., JAMA 2014; PMID: 25247519). Total body weight changes were modest compared to visceral fat reductions, highlighting its selective mechanism.
What is Tesamorelin’s current research status?
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved under the brand name Egrifta for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. Off-label and research use in general obesity or metabolic syndrome remains investigational.
What is the research dosing for Tesamorelin among the best peptides for weight loss?
Tesamorelin has been studied at a daily subcutaneous dose of 2 mg, which corresponds to the approved dosing regimen. Research protocols occasionally explore alternate-day administration, but the daily 2 mg dose remains the best-characterized schedule in peer-reviewed literature.
What is MOTS-C and how does it affect metabolism?
MOTS-C represents a distinct category among the best peptides for weight loss research as a mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) encoded within the 12S rRNA region of the mitochondrial genome, first identified as a regulator of metabolic homeostasis by Lee and colleagues. It has emerged as a research peptide of interest for its effects on insulin sensitivity, exercise capacity, and age-related metabolic decline.
Unlike the incretin-based best peptides for weight loss, MOTS-C is an endogenous molecule whose circulating levels decline with age, suggesting a role in metabolic aging. Its research use focuses on mitochondrial biology and exercise mimetic effects rather than the direct appetite suppression seen in the leading best peptides for weight loss.
How does MOTS-C’s mechanism of action work?
MOTS-C works by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, a central energy-sensing mechanism that promotes glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and insulin sensitivity. Lee and colleagues demonstrated that MOTS-C administration prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mouse models (Lee et al., Cell Metabolism 2015; PMID: 25738459).
More recent work has shown that MOTS-C translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress, where it regulates adaptive nuclear gene expression and influences whole-body energy metabolism (Kim et al., 2018; PMID: 30502810).
What are MOTS-C’s receptor targets?
MOTS-C does not bind a classical cell-surface receptor. Instead, it acts as an intracellular signaling peptide, engaging the AMPK pathway and influencing nuclear gene expression via a mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde signaling mechanism.
What weight loss percentages did MOTS-C show in trials?
MOTS-C has not yet produced robust human weight-loss percentage data in published randomized trials. In preclinical mouse models, MOTS-C administration prevented body weight gain of approximately 15–20% in high-fat-diet cohorts compared with untreated controls (Lee et al., 2015; PMID: 25738459).
Human clinical research remains early stage, with small pilot studies exploring its effects on exercise performance, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic biomarkers rather than obesity endpoints.
What is MOTS-C’s current research status?
MOTS-C is not approved for any clinical indication. It remains a research-use peptide studied primarily in the context of mitochondrial biology, metabolic aging, exercise physiology, and diabetes prevention.
What is the research dosing for MOTS-C among the best peptides for weight loss?
MOTS-C dosing in preclinical research has typically ranged from 0.1 to 5 mg/kg in rodent models, administered intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. Human research dosing protocols are not yet well-standardized, reflecting the peptide’s early development status.
How do the best peptides for weight loss compare side by side?
The following table compares the six best peptides for weight loss covered in this guide by mechanism, receptor targets, clinical weight loss percentages, research phase, and availability. Use it as a quick reference when evaluating which of the best peptides for weight loss aligns with a specific research question.
| Peptide | Mechanism | Receptor Targets | Clinical Weight Loss % | Research Phase | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | Triple incretin agonist; appetite suppression + thermogenesis | GLP-1R, GIPR, GCGR | Up to 24.2% at 48 weeks (12 mg) | Phase 3 (TRIUMPH) | Research use only |
| Semaglutide | GLP-1 agonist; appetite & gastric emptying | GLP-1R | 14.9% at 68 weeks (2.4 mg) | FDA-approved (Wegovy / Ozempic) | Prescription & research |
| Tirzepatide | Dual incretin agonist | GLP-1R, GIPR | 20.9% at 72 weeks (15 mg) | FDA-approved (Zepbound / Mounjaro) | Prescription & research |
| AOD-9604 | Lipolysis promoter; GH C-terminal fragment | Undefined (non-GHR pathways) | ~2.6 kg fat mass at 12 weeks | Discontinued as obesity drug | Research use only |
| Tesamorelin | GHRH analog; visceral fat reduction | GHRHR | 15.2% visceral fat at 26 weeks | FDA-approved (Egrifta, HIV lipodystrophy) | Prescription & research |
| MOTS-C | Mitochondrial-derived peptide; AMPK activator | Intracellular (no canonical receptor) | Preclinical only; ~15–20% in mice | Early research | Research use only |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which are the best peptides for weight loss in 2026 by clinical data?
The best peptides for weight loss in 2026, ranked by clinical data, are Retatrutide, Tirzepatide, and Semaglutide. Retatrutide produces mean reductions of 24.2% at the 12 mg dose in Phase 2 research (Jastreboff et al., 2023). Tirzepatide and Semaglutide follow at 20.9% and 14.9% respectively. Phase 3 Retatrutide data from the TRIUMPH program are expected to refine these estimates.
2. How do the best peptides for weight loss differ from older weight loss drugs?
The best peptides for weight loss differ from older weight loss drugs by targeting incretin biology rather than central stimulants or lipase inhibitors. These peptides reduce appetite and food intake through receptor-mediated signaling in the brain and gut, producing double-digit weight loss that previous classes such as phentermine or orlistat never achieved in controlled trials.
3. Where can researchers access the best peptides for weight loss in 2026?
Retatrutide is available in 2026 only as a research-use compound and is not yet approved for human therapeutic use by the FDA or EMA. Qualified laboratories can source Retatrutide for research applications through our Retatrutide product page.
4. What are the best peptides for fat loss without appetite suppression?
AOD-9604 and Tesamorelin are the best-studied peptides for fat loss without appetite suppression. Both act on lipid metabolism rather than central hunger circuits, making them relevant to research focused on adiposity endpoints independent of caloric intake. Neither produces the magnitude of weight loss seen with incretin peptides.
5. How do you reconstitute research peptides safely?
Research peptides are reconstituted using sterile bacteriostatic water in a cleanroom environment, with careful attention to injection angle and vial pressure. For step-by-step procedures, ratios, and storage practices, see our detailed peptide reconstitution guide.
6. How do the top best peptides for weight loss compare to each other?
When comparing the best peptides for weight loss directly, Retatrutide compares favorably to Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Phase 2 weight loss magnitude, reaching roughly 24% versus 15% and 21% respectively. Its triple-receptor mechanism adds glucagon-mediated energy expenditure that the other two lack. Read the full head-to-head analysis of the best peptides for weight loss in our Semaglutide vs. Retatrutide vs. Tirzepatide comparison.
7. What safety data exists for the best peptides for weight loss?
Safety profiles for the best peptides for weight loss vary by compound and research context. Incretin peptides are best characterized, with the most common adverse events being gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Research peptides not yet in clinical trials have less-defined safety data and should only be handled in controlled laboratory settings under appropriate ethical and regulatory oversight.
8. Which of the best peptides for weight loss can target belly fat specifically?
Tesamorelin is the most selective peptide for visceral (belly) fat, producing a 15.2% reduction in visceral adipose tissue in pivotal trials without equivalent losses in subcutaneous fat (Falutz et al., 2007; PMID: 18046029). Other peptides primarily reduce total body weight rather than preferentially targeting visceral depots.
9. How long do weight loss peptides take to work?
Weight loss peptides in the incretin class typically produce measurable reductions within 4 to 8 weeks of dose escalation, with maximum effects observed between 48 and 72 weeks. Trial data show that ongoing administration is required to maintain weight loss, as discontinuation leads to weight regain (Rubino et al., 2021; PMID: 33755728).
10. What is the future of weight loss peptide research?
The future of weight loss peptide research is expanding toward multi-agonist designs, oral formulations, and combinations targeting muscle preservation alongside fat loss. Retatrutide’s triple-agonist approach represents one direction, while quadruple-agonists and amylin-combination peptides like CagriSema are advancing through clinical trials for 2026 and beyond.
Continue Your Research
The best peptides for weight loss outlined in this guide—Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, AOD-9604, Tesamorelin, and MOTS-C—each represent a distinct pharmacologic approach to obesity and metabolic research. Researchers selecting the best peptides for weight loss for laboratory use should consider mechanism, clinical data quality, and research phase when making sourcing decisions. For related reading on the best peptides for weight loss and peptide research protocols, explore the PSPeptides complete peptide guide.
References (PubMed)
- Jastreboff AM, Kaplan LM, Frías JP, et al. Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity — A Phase 2 Trial. New England Journal of Medicine. 2023;389(6):514-526. PMID: 37366315.
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989-1002. PMID: 33567185.
- Wadden TA, Bailey TS, Billings LK, et al. Effect of Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo as an Adjunct to Intensive Behavioral Therapy on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity (STEP 3). JAMA. 2021;325(14):1403-1413. PMID: 33625476.
- Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity (STEP 4). JAMA. 2021;325(14):1414-1425. PMID: 33755728.
- Davies M, Færch L, Jeppesen OK, et al. Semaglutide 2.4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2). Lancet. 2021;397(10278):971-984. PMID: 33667417.
- Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(3):205-216. PMID: 35658024.
- Frías JP, Davies MJ, Rosenstock J, et al. Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SURPASS-2). New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;385(6):503-515. PMID: 34170647.
- Coskun T, Sloop KW, Loghin C, et al. LY3298176, a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Molecular Metabolism. 2018;18:3-14. PMID: 30473097.
- Coskun T, Urva S, Roell WC, et al. LY3437943, a novel triple glucagon, GIP, and GLP-1 receptor agonist for glycemic control and weight loss. Cell Metabolism. 2022;34(9):1234-1247. PMID: 36318925.
- Falutz J, Allas S, Blot K, et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357(23):2359-2370. PMID: 18046029.
- Falutz J, Mamputu JC, Potvin D, et al. Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a GHRH analog, in HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: pooled phase 3 results. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2010;95(9):4291-4304. PMID: 20554713.
- Stanley TL, Feldpausch MN, Oh J, et al. Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation. JAMA. 2014;312(4):380-389. PMID: 25038357.
- Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metabolism. 2015;21(3):443-454. PMID: 25738459.
- Kim KH, Son JM, Benayoun BA, Lee C. The Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c Translocates to the Nucleus to Regulate Nuclear Gene Expression in Response to Metabolic Stress. Cell Metabolism. 2018;28(3):516-524. PMID: 29983246.
- Heffernan M, Summers RJ, Thorburn A, et al. The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice. Endocrinology. 2001;142(12):5182-5189. PMID: 11713213.
- Sanyal AJ, Kaplan LM, Frias JP, et al. Triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized phase 2a trial. Nature Medicine. 2024;30(7):2037-2048. PMID: 38858523.
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