Vergelijking
Afamelanotide vs. Oxytocin
Twee peptiden naast elkaar — identiteit, bewijsbasis, juridische status en bekende bijwerkingen.
Identiteit
Categorie
Onderzoek (overig)
Onderzoek (overig)
CAS-nr.
75921-69-6
50-56-6
Molecuulmassa
1646.87 g/mol
1007.19 g/mol
Halfwaardetijd
12 h
0.05 h
Sequentie
Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2Werkingsmechanisme
Afamelanotide
Afamelanotide is a synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It differs from native α-MSH by two substitutions — norleucine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine at position 7 — which make it metabolically more stable and more potent. As an agonist at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes, it activates adenylate cyclase, raises cAMP and increases tyrosinase activity via the transcription factor MITF. This shifts pigment synthesis toward eumelanin, which absorbs UV and visible light and has antioxidant properties — the presumed mechanism of photoprotection in EPP.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is synthesised in the hypothalamus and released via the posterior pituitary. Peripherally it binds the oxytocin receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor, and through the phospholipase-C cascade and calcium release triggers contraction of uterine smooth muscle and milk ejection — the pharmacological basis of the obstetric approval. Centrally, oxytocin acts as a neuromodulator and has been linked to social bonding, trust and modulation of stress and anxiety circuits. Its central effects in humans are mechanistically incompletely understood, particularly because it is unclear to what extent peripherally or intranasally administered oxytocin crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Bewijsbasis
Hoogste bewijs
Humane RCT
Humane RCT
Studies
4
4
waarvan bij mensen
4
4
Geregistreerde effecten
4
3
Openstaande tegenstrijdigheden
1
1
Gedocumenteerde bijwerkingen
4
0
Juridische status
Volledige vermeldingen
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Afamelanotide and Oxytocin?
- Afamelanotide is classified as "Onderzoek (overig)", while Oxytocin is classified as "Onderzoek (overig)". Afamelanotide: Afamelanotide (brand name Scenesse) is a synthetic 13-amino-acid analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and a melanocortin-1 receptor agonist. Unlike most peptides covered here, it is a regularly approved medicine: EMA approval in 2014/2015, FDA approval in 2019, in each case as a subcutaneous implant for the prevention of phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). It promotes eumelanin formation in the skin. Oxytocin: Oxytocin is an endogenous nonapeptide hormone of the posterior pituitary. In synthetic form (Pitocin, Syntocinon) it has been approved for decades to induce and augment labour and to control postpartum uterine bleeding. Strictly separate from this is intranasal use to influence social behaviour, trust, anxiety or autism symptoms: this use is unapproved, purely experimental, and yields inconsistent and often negative results in controlled trials. This page contrasts both neutrally and source-based — with no usage or dosing recommendation.
- Which peptide is better supported by science, Afamelanotide or Oxytocin?
- The highest available evidence level is "Humane RCT" for Afamelanotide and "Humane RCT" for Oxytocin. A higher evidence level means more robust data, but says nothing about suitability for an individual. The full body of evidence is on each peptide's own page.
- What is the legal status of Afamelanotide and Oxytocin in Germany and the United States?
- Duitsland: Afamelanotide — Op recept, Oxytocin — Op recept. Verenigde Staten: Afamelanotide — Op recept, Oxytocin — Op recept. These are factual summaries with source and review date on the individual pages.