Melanotan II was first synthesized at the University of Arizona when looking at possible ways to treat skin cancer. They hypothesized that an effective way to reduce skin cancer rates in people would be to induce the body's natural pigmentary system to produce a protective tan prior to UV exposure.
Clinical trials have shown that Melanotan II safely promotes melanogenesis. This is a process were melanocytes produce melanin. Lighter-skinned people have low base levels of melanogenesis. Exposure to UV-B radiation causes an increased melanogenesis. The purpose of the melanogenesis is to protect the hypodermis, the layer under the skin, from the UV-B light that can damage it. It does this by absorbing all the UV-B light and blocking it from passing the skin layer.
A very interesting effect Melanotan II brings about is its ability to increase insulin sensitivity during researchers' trials. Scientists studied the effects Melanotan II has on hepatic and whole-body insulin sensitivity. Results showed administration of Melanotan II increased insulin-mediated glucose disposal but did not affect the capacity of insulin to suppress EGP. Melanotan II's acute effect on insulin sensitivity was further highlighted during studies done by the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine. They also examined the effects Melanotan II had on insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obese rats. The insulin tolerance test showed that insulin sensitivity was significantly improved in the Melanotan II group compared to the pair-fed group. Furthermore, Melanotan II treatment increased the number of small-sized adipocytes in epididymal white adipose tissues, suggesting that Melanotan II increased insulin sensitivity through action on the white adipose tissues.
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