The Different Types of Melanotan

A group of scientists from the University of Arizona, led by Victor J. Hruby is recognized as discoverers of Melanotan.  In the 1980s, this group worked on experiments to try and look into a    simple, fast and effective way to cure skin cancer.  Well, they came up with the first type which now goes by the name afamelanotide. Later on,  they worked on to discover the second type which they christened M2. 

 
Melanotan can be defined as a chain of molecules. It is a synthetic analogue of a naturally occurring peptide called alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. Afamelanotide has a molecular formula of C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉, while the Melanotan II (M2) formula is C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉. Consequently, this means that the M2 has a shorter formula which then means that it is more susceptible to reacting with more molecules than afamelanotide. It is for this reason that M2 is seen to have more side effects.

Melanotan I or Afamelanotide

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals in Australia is the firm that solely conducts the official testing and experimentation of the effects of the hormone. Over the years, numerous experiments have been conducted and this has led to the discovery that the afamelanotide gives one a tan in their skin. The main difference between the two analogs is  the side effects which each carry.

It is worthwhile noting the afamelanotide is closely identical to the naturally occurring alpha-melanocyte  stimulating hormone. It is a natural agonist  of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC-1R).  This hormone is normally found in melanocyte cells and is primarily responsible for the skin and hair pigmentation.  

Melanotan II

This is formed when fewer amino acids than in the afamelanotide come together. Because the chains being shorter, the Melanotan becomes an agonist to a wider range of receptors hence making it has more reactions and side effects when used. The fact that more receptors other than the MC-1R are at work with this hormone makes it more potent. Among the receptors that it binds with include MT-II which is for aphrodisiac functions and the MC-3R and MC-4R.

For a given concentration of weight, there is bound to be more Melanotan peptides than there would be of afamelanotide. This means that because you require only a certain number of binding for the skin tan or even sex arousal, the quantity of M2 is definitely supposed to be much less than that of afamelanotide. In effect, this leads to the high difference in the dosages required for the respective hormones. M2 is supposed to be a mere fraction of the quantity of the afamelanotide required. 

Conclusion

The main difference between these hormones can be summarized not only by the molecular formula but also by their respective side effects. Both of the peptides will make you have white rashes, skin pigmentation, nausea, headache, lethargy, dizziness, hyper-pigmentation, new mole pigmentation, itching, flushing, and loss of appetite. However, Melanotan II will have additional side effects such as anaphylactic shock, increased libido, and physical sexual arousal. With the use of afamelanotide, you will only experience mild side effects, but with the M2, the side effects will be pronounced.