GLP-3 Reta – Technical Brief (For Research-Use-Only)
1. Identity
(GLP3) known in the pharmaceutical industry as Retatrutide is a 39-amino-acid peptide engineered to act as a triple agonist at the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors. Lipidation lengthens its half-life so it supports convenient once-weekly dosing in clinical studies A B.
2. Mechanistic Highlights
1. β-cell stimulation (GLP-1 & GIP) – cAMP-driven insulin release only when plasma glucose is elevated.
2. α-cell modulation (GLP-1 & glucagon) – reduced glucagon output curbs hepatic glucose production.
3. Energy expenditure (glucagon arm) – mild increase in basal metabolic rate via hepatic fat oxidation.
4. Gastric emptying delay (GLP-1) – blunts post-prandial glucose excursions.
5. Central appetite suppression (all three receptors in hypothalamus) – drives substantial weight loss; ≥ 22 % mean reduction at 12 mg over 48 weeks in a Phase II trial.
3. Safety Profile (clinical data for context)
GI:-
(Common) may cause Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (dose-dependent).
(Serious/Rare) gastroparesis – (uncommon)
Metabolic:-
(Common) Transient increases in heart rate (3–5 bpm).
(Serious/Rare) N/A
Endocrine:-
(Common) N/A.
(Serious/Rare) Rodent thyroid C-cell tumours → class warning
Pancreas:-
(Common) N/A.
(Serious/Rare) Low-frequency acute pancreatitis reports
Overall tolerability resembles other incretin mimetics; no excess severe hypoglycaemia outside concomitant insulin/sulphonylurea use. These findings pertain to regulated trials only; they do not establish safety for unregulated human use.
4. Legal Position in the United Kingdom
• Retatrutide is not scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs Act and is not a controlled substance.
• When supplied “FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY” for in-vitro, ex-vivo or animal experiments, it falls outside the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
• Any marketing or supply implying therapeutic or weight-loss use reclassifies it as a medicinal product and places it under MHRA licensing/enforcement.
5. Practical Laboratory Handling
Reconstitution: use sterile 0.9 % Benzyl alcohol Bacteriostatic water, 1–3 mL⁻¹; swirl gently—avoid vigorous shaking.
• Storage: aliquot, −80 °C long term; ≤ 30 days at −20 °C once re-suspended.
• Typical exploratory dosing (rodent): 2.5–12mg subcutaneously, once weekly..
Bottom line:
Retatrutide is a potent triple-incretin agonist showing exceptional weight- and glucose-lowering effects in regulated trials. Within the UK it may be purchased, possessed and used solely as a laboratory research reagent, any promotion or use beyond that scope violates medicines legislation.
