LA-LEAP2

LA-LEAP2 is a long-acting analog of LEAP2 (liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2), designed to act as an antagonist and inverse agonist at the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHSR). It has been studied in preclinical models for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and obesity. In mouse models, LA-LEAP2 administration significantly reduced hepatic steatosis, hepatic inflammation, higher-grade hepatic fibrosis, transaminitis, and plasma total cholesterol, with prominent reductions in body weight, without affecting food intake. The mechanism of action involves antagonizing and inversely agonizing GHSR, thereby counteracting orexigenic and metabolic effects mediated by ghrelin. LEAP2 and its analogs represent a novel therapeutic strategy to modulate the GHSR system for cardiometabolic diseases, particularly MAFLD and obesity[1][2][4][7].

Other names

long-acting LEAP2 analog