Activation of the central melanocortin system chronically reduces body mass without the necessity of long-term caloric restriction

This 2017 preclinical study investigated the long-term effects of activating the central melanocortin system via intracerebroventricular infusion of melanotan II (MTII), a potent melanocortin receptor agonist, in adult F344BN rats. Over a 40-day period, MTII administration led to a persistent reduction in body mass and adiposity, despite food intake returning