Increased eumelanin expression and tanning is induced by a superpotent melanotropin [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH in humans.

Dorr RT, Dvorakova K, Brooks C, Lines R, Levine N, Schram K, Miketova P, Hruby V, Alberts DS

Photochemistry and photobiology1 Oct 2000Cited by 36 (Europe PMC)

PMID11045725DOI10.1562/0031-8655(2000)072<0526:ieeati>2.0.co;2PepBankPUB-11045725

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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. 5 results from people.

01HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In seven healthy volunteers, MT-I induced tanning at 3 of 8 anatomic sites, including the face, neck and forearm, compared with baseline.
In plain wordsIn seven healthy adults, MT-I darkened the skin at 3 of 8 body sites compared with before treatment.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
IncreaseTanning measured by light reflectance
Study
n = 7
Comparator
baseline
Outcome group
Pigmentation · Skin and wound
Studied dose
0.16 mg/kg/day · subcutaneous · two weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
This regimen induced tanning at 3 of 8 anatomic sites including the face, neck and forearm by comparison of baseline to (1) the end of the daily dosing period, (day 14), and (2) one week later, (day 21).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Seven normal volunteers (six males and one female) with tanning skin types III or IV (Fitzpatrick scale) were given 10 daily subcutaneous injections of a superpotent synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) over two weeks.
Summary · context
This agent, [Nle4-D-Phe7]alpha-MSH, also called Melanotan-I (MT-I), was administered at a dose of 0.16 mg/kg/day (Monday-Friday), over a two week period.
Report a problemFND-1104572501
02HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In seven volunteers, forearm skin PTCA levels rose 98% from baseline one week after MT-I treatment ended.
In plain wordsIn seven healthy adults, MT-I raised the dark pigment eumelanin in forearm skin by almost double.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
IncreaseForearm skin eumelanin (PTCA) one week after treatment
Study
n = 7
Comparator
baseline
Outcome group
Pigmentation · Skin and wound
Studied dose
0.16 mg/kg/day · subcutaneous · two weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
PTCA increase
98%
forearm skin, one week after treatment
Source sentences
Summary
The mean (SD) increase in forearm skin PTCA levels was 98% (+/- 25.4%) over the same period (P = 0.003).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Seven normal volunteers (six males and one female) with tanning skin types III or IV (Fitzpatrick scale) were given 10 daily subcutaneous injections of a superpotent synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) over two weeks.
Summary · context
This agent, [Nle4-D-Phe7]alpha-MSH, also called Melanotan-I (MT-I), was administered at a dose of 0.16 mg/kg/day (Monday-Friday), over a two week period.
Report a problemFND-1104572503
03HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In three volunteers, forehead skin PTCA levels rose 49% from baseline one week after MT-I treatment ended.
In plain wordsIn three healthy adults, MT-I raised the dark pigment eumelanin in forehead skin by about half.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
IncreaseForehead skin eumelanin (PTCA) one week after treatment
Study
n = 3
Comparator
baseline
Outcome group
Pigmentation · Skin and wound
Studied dose
0.16 mg/kg/day · subcutaneous · two weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
PTCA increase
49%
forehead skin, one week after treatment
Source sentences
Summary
One week after MT-I treatments ended, there was a mean (SD) 49% (+/- 17.6%) increase in forehead skin PTCA levels compared to baseline (P = 0.019, n = 3, by paired sample T-test).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Seven normal volunteers (six males and one female) with tanning skin types III or IV (Fitzpatrick scale) were given 10 daily subcutaneous injections of a superpotent synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) over two weeks.
Summary · context
This agent, [Nle4-D-Phe7]alpha-MSH, also called Melanotan-I (MT-I), was administered at a dose of 0.16 mg/kg/day (Monday-Friday), over a two week period.
Report a problemFND-1104572502
04HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In volunteers, forearm pheomelanin expression after MT-I treatment did not change significantly from baseline.
In plain wordsIn healthy adults, MT-I did not clearly change the red-yellow pigment pheomelanin in forearm skin.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
No significant changeForearm skin pheomelanin
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
baseline
Outcome group
Pigmentation · Skin and wound
Studied dose
0.16 mg/kg/day · subcutaneous · two weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In contrast, forearm pheomelanin expression following MT-I treatment did not significantly change from baseline.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Seven normal volunteers (six males and one female) with tanning skin types III or IV (Fitzpatrick scale) were given 10 daily subcutaneous injections of a superpotent synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) over two weeks.
Summary · context
This agent, [Nle4-D-Phe7]alpha-MSH, also called Melanotan-I (MT-I), was administered at a dose of 0.16 mg/kg/day (Monday-Friday), over a two week period.
Report a problemFND-1104572504
05HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In volunteers, the MT-I regimen increased the forearm eumelanin to pheomelanin ratio from 51:1 to 86:1 (P = 0.054).
In plain wordsIn healthy adults, MT-I shifted forearm skin pigment toward eumelanin, but the result was borderline.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
IncreaseEumelanin to pheomelanin ratio in forearm skin
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
baseline
Outcome group
Pigmentation · Skin and wound
Studied dose
0.16 mg/kg/day · subcutaneous · two weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Overall, the MT-I regimen increased the eumelanin: pheomelanin ratio in forearm skin from 51:1 at baseline to 86:1 following MT-I (P = 0.054 by paired sample T-test).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Seven normal volunteers (six males and one female) with tanning skin types III or IV (Fitzpatrick scale) were given 10 daily subcutaneous injections of a superpotent synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) over two weeks.
Summary · context
This agent, [Nle4-D-Phe7]alpha-MSH, also called Melanotan-I (MT-I), was administered at a dose of 0.16 mg/kg/day (Monday-Friday), over a two week period.
Report a problemFND-1104572505

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Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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