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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides81 plates · MIT
Side-by-side · Research reference

AdipotidevsARA 290

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED15/49 cited
BPhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited
Adipotide
Pro-apoptotic Vascular-Targeting Peptide · Preclinical Only
PreclinicalStatus
PHB1TargetHossen 2013
ApoptosisMechanismHossen 2013
IV · Systemic · Preclinical Protocols OnlyHossen 2013
ARA 290
EPO-Derived Peptide · Innate Repair Receptor Agonist
28 daysPhase 2 durationCulver 2017
Non-erythropoieticSafety profileBrines 2015Liu 2014

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter
Adipotide
ARA 290
Primary target
Prohibitin-1 (PHB1) on adipose vasculature endotheliumHossen 2013
Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)
Pathway
CKGGRAKDC domain binds PHB1 → Peptide internalisation → D(KLAKLAK)₂ mitochondrial membrane disruption
EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades
Downstream effect
Endothelial apoptosis → Adipose vascular collapse → Adipocyte involution → Weight loss
Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014Culver 2017
Feedback intact?
N/A — Direct apoptotic mechanism, non-hormonal
N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014
Origin
Synthetic bioconjugate: PHB1-targeting homing peptide + pro-apoptotic KLA sequence
11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties
Antibody development
Not reported in clinical trials

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter
Adipotide
ARA 290
Animal dose (mouse)
Low dose (not specified in abstract)Hossen 2013
Systemic injection in diet-induced obesity (DIO) models.Hossen 2013
Route
Intravenous (systemic injection)
SubcutaneousBrines 2015
Frequency
Not specified in available data
Once daily
Self-administered subcutaneously.
Evidence basis
Preclinical animal models only
Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017Brines 2015
64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.
Human data
None — no clinical trials reported
Standard dose (Phase 2)
4 mg / dayBrines 2015Culver 2017
Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.
Duration
28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017
Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.
Timing
Any time of day
No circadian dependence reported.

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter
Adipotide
ARA 290
Primary fat target
White adipose tissue (all depots)
Mechanism
Vascular apoptosis → adipose blood supply collapse → adipocyte deathHossen 2013
Body weight reduction
Significant reduction in DIO miceHossen 2013
Absolute values not provided in abstract.
Leptin levels
Significant decrease
Parallel to adipose mass reduction.
Effect on adipocytes
Antiobesity effect on dysfunctional adipose cells (adipocytes + macrophages)Hossen 2013
Ectopic fat
Reduction in ectopic fat depositionHossen 2013
Marker of dysfunctional adipose tissue / metabolic syndrome.
Species tested
Obese rhesus monkeys, DIO mice
Human translation
Unknown — no clinical trials
Primary effect
Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015
Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.
HbA1c
Significant reduction vs placebo
Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.
Fasting glucose
Improved in ARA 290 group
Body composition
Not directly quantified
Fat loss not a primary endpoint; metabolic improvements may reflect insulin sensitivity.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter
Adipotide
ARA 290
Safety profile
Unknown — preclinical data only
Vascular selectivity
Targets adipose vasculature; off-target vascular effects unknown
Apoptotic mechanism risk
Pro-apoptotic payload may affect unintended tissues if selectivity incomplete
Kidney / liver toxicity
Not reported in available data
Immunogenicity
Not assessed in available data
No antibody formation reported
Injection site reaction
Mild, transient
Hematopoiesis
None — non-erythropoietic
Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.
Cardiovascular
No thrombotic events or hypertension reported
Tolerability
Well-tolerated in Phase 2 trialsCulver 2017Brines 2015
Absolute Contraindications
Adipotide
  • ·Human use — not approved, no clinical safety data
ARA 290
  • ·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290
Relative Contraindications
Adipotide
  • ·Any condition requiring intact adipose-tissue vascularisation
ARA 290
  • ·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter
Adipotide
ARA 290
1. Route
Intravenous injection (systemic) in preclinical models. No human protocols exist.
Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.
2. Formulation
Bioconjugate peptide. May also be encapsulated in nanoparticles (prohibitin-targeted nanoparticle formulation, KLA-PTNP, showed superior efficacy vs. free bioconjugate in mice).Hossen 2013
Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.
3. Preclinical dosing
Low-dose systemic injection (exact dosing not specified in available abstract). Frequency and duration not detailed.Hossen 2013
Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015
4. Storage
Not specified — likely requires peptide-grade lyophilised storage and reconstitution.
4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017
5. Storage
Lyophilised: store at controlled room temperature. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within specified timeframe.

06Stack Synergy

Adipotide
— no documented stacks
ARA 290
+ BPC-157
Moderate
View BPC-157

ARA 290 targets the innate repair receptor (EPO/CD131) for nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair through distinct mechanisms (likely involving VEGF, growth hormone receptor pathways). Combined, they may address both neuroinflammation and structural tissue repair in neuropathy or injury models. No direct clinical data; mechanistic overlap in tissue protection.

ARA 290
4 mg SQ · daily
BPC-157
250–500 mcg SQ · daily
Frequency
Once daily, same or separate injections
Primary benefit
Nerve regeneration, pain reduction, tissue healing