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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2014 Mar;21(2):134–151. doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2013.09.004

Table 3.

Currently available melanocortin receptor agonists, their biological functions and potential benefits for kidney diseases.

MCR Agonists Classification MCR affinity Biological functions Benefits for kidney diseases Proprietor
Acthar gel Long-acting natural ACTH gel; FDA approved Pan agonist

  • Anti-inflammation/ Immunomodulation;

  • Anti-apoptosis/Pro-survival effects;

  • Steroidogenesis;

  • Antipyresis;

  • Melanogenesis

  • Induce remission of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome;

  • Anti-proteinuric effects in iMN, MCD, FSGS, IgAN, LN, DN, TG;

  • Anti-proteinuric effects in experimental post-adaptive FSGS;

  • Kidney protection in experimental septic AKI and obstructive nephropathy.

 Questcor Pharmaceuticals
Synacthen Long-acting synthetic ACTH; Approved outside the US Pan agonist

  • Anti-inflammation/ Immunomodulation;

  • Steroidogenesis;

  • Antipyresis;

  • Melanogenesis

  • Induce remission of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome;

  • Anti-proteinuric effect in iMN, MCD, FSGS, MsPGN, MPGN, LN, DN;

  • Anti-proteinuric effects in experimental MN.

 Questcor Pharmaceuticals
α-MSH Synthetic α-MSH peptide Pan agonist (no MC2R)

  • Anti-inflammation/ Immunomodulation;

  • Anti-apoptosis/ Pro-survival effects;

  • Antipyresis;

  • Melanogenesis

  • Kidney protection in experimental AKI caused by sepsis, ischemia, nephrotoxins and ureteral obstruction;

  • Anti-proteinuric effects in experimental MN

 Generic API
Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) Synthetic α-MSH analogue Pan agonist (no MC2R)

  • Melanogenesis;

  • Anti-inflammation/ Immunomodulation

 Unknown Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals
Melanotan II Synthetic α-MSH analogue Pan agonist (no MC2R)

  • Melanogenesis;

  • Aphrodisia

 Unknown mondoBiotech Laboratories AG
Bremelanotide Synthetic α-MSH analogue MC1R
MC4R

  • Aphrodisia;

  • Melanogenesis;

  • Anti-inflammation/ Immunomodulation

 Unknown Palatin Technologies
AP214 Synthetic α-MSH analogue Pan agonist (no MC2R)

  • Anti-inflammation/ Immunomodulation;

  • Anti-apoptosis/Pro-survival effects

  • Kidney protection in experimental AKI caused by sepsis, ischemia, nephrotoxins;

 Abbott Pharmaceuticals
RM-493 Synthetic peptide agonist MC4R

  • Regulation of appetite and satiety;

  • Anti-obesity

 Unknown Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
MS05 Synthetic α-MSH analogue MC1R

  • Anti-inflammation/ Immunomodulation

  • Anti-proteinuric effects in experimental MN

 Action Pharma A/S

Abbreviations: MCR, melanocortin receptors; ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; FDA, food and drug administration; iMN, idiopathic membranous nephropathy; MCD, minimal change disease; FSGS, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; IgAN, IgA nephropathy; LN, lupus nephritis; DN, diabetic Nephropathy; TG, transplant glomerulopathy; MsPGN, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis; MPGN, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis; AKI, acute kidney injury; MN, membranous nephropathy; α-MSH, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone; API, active pharmaceutical ingredients.