5-Amino-1MQ
Small-molecule inhibitor of the NNMT enzyme (fat metabolism)
In 2018, at the University of Texas, 5-Amino-1MQ reduced fat mass and fat cell size on a high-fat diet, without changing food intake (Neelakantan, Biochemical Pharmacology).
It inhibits NNMT, an enzyme that is more active in fat tissue in obesity, and that consumes SAM and nicotinamide, the precursor of NAD+.
It is also studied for muscle: in aged muscle, blocking NNMT activated muscle stem cells and increased strength after an injury (Neelakantan, 2021).
- Half-life
- A few hours; the metabolic effect builds with consistent use.
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection; the molecule is also being studied in an oral form.
Technical sheet
- Family
- Small-molecule inhibitor of the NNMT enzyme (fat metabolism)
- Half-life
- A few hours; the metabolic effect builds with consistent use.
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection; the molecule is also being studied in an oral form.
- Time to effect
- Energy and metabolism over a few weeks; body composition over several months, alongside diet and training.
- Level of evidence
- Laboratory research
Chemical identity
- Chemical name
- 5-Amino-1-méthylquinoléinium
- Form
- Active cation, values without counterion
Salt form: as stated on the lot's certificate of analysis.
NNMT, an enzyme of fat tissue
NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase) methylates nicotinamide, the precursor of NAD+, by consuming SAM. When it runs high in fat tissue (obesity, insulin resistance), it depletes both SAM and NAD+: fat cells store more and burn less.
Selective inhibition of NNMT
5-Amino-1MQ binds NNMT's active site and inhibits it selectively: NAD+ and SAM rise again and energy expenditure increases. In laboratory studies, under a high-fat diet, fat mass and adipocyte size decrease without any change in appetite, unlike GLP-1s.
Muscle stem cells
In aging muscle, NNMT holds back muscle stem cells. In laboratory studies, inhibiting it reactivates them and improves regeneration and strength after an injury: a second avenue of research, preserving muscle with age.
Studied effects and observed timelines
Lower fat mass: without any change in food intake (Neelakantan, 2018)
A few weeks
Body composition: with a reduced-calorie diet, it normalized faster than with the diet alone (2021)
Several months
Muscle strength: in aged muscle, stem cells activated and peak strength about 70% higher (Neelakantan, 2019)
Weeks to months
What you may feel
- Reaction at the injection site.
- Mild digestive discomfort or headaches for some users in the first few days.
Stop and consult if
- Unusual muscle pain or dark urine.
- Any new, persistent symptom: the molecule is recent, so it's worth staying alert.
When to abstain
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- A known liver or kidney condition.
- Active cancer or a recent history of it.
- Minors.
The effects to watch for, and how to reduce them
This sheet is educational. It replaces neither a diagnosis nor follow-up: for any medical condition, pregnancy, breastfeeding or current medication, talk to a health professional.
Recent research, originating at the University of Texas (Galveston) in 2018 and conducted in the laboratory: NNMT inhibited, fat mass reduced under a high-fat diet, regeneration improved in aging muscle.
Clinical research in humans is the next step. On fat mass, research positions it as an add-on to diet and movement: without them, the effect stays modest.
2018 · Neelakantan et al., Biochemical Pharmacology
Fat cells and an experimental model of a high-fat diet
5-Amino-1MQ inhibits NNMT, raises NAD+ and SAM levels in adipocytes, and reduces fat mass and fat-cell size without changing food intake.
2019 · Neelakantan et al., Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Chemistry and pharmacology of the inhibitor series
The molecule's selectivity for NNMT and low cellular toxicity, the basis for developing the family further.
2021 · Neelakantan et al., Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
An experimental model of aging muscle after injury
Activation of muscle stem cells, faster regeneration, and increased strength following NNMT inhibition.
A peptide or not?
It's a synthetic small molecule, more compact than a chain of amino acids: not strictly a peptide. It's in the catalogue for the same metabolic goal, with the same standard of purity and traceability.
What's the difference with a GLP-1?
GLP-1 drugs act on appetite and blood sugar. 5-Amino-1MQ inhibits NNMT in fat cells, with no measured effect on food intake.
Does it cause weight loss on its own?
In the 2021 study, combined with a reduced-calorie diet, it normalized body composition faster than the diet alone. It was studied together with diet and exercise.
Glossary (5)
- NNMT
- Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase: a fat-cell enzyme that consumes SAM and the NAD+ precursor.
- SAM
- S-adenosylmethionine: the universal donor of methyl groups, essential to hundreds of reactions.
- Adipocyte
- A fat cell, which stores energy in the form of fat.
- Methylation
- The addition of a small chemical group that regulates the activity of genes and proteins.
- Muscle stem cells
- Satellite cells that repair and regenerate muscle after exertion or an injury.