Adropin
Newly discovered metabolic hormone — regulates fuel selection, endothelial function, and cognitive performance.
Research facts
| Half-life | ~minutes (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Route | SubQ (animal studies only) |
| Typical dose | No established human dose |
| Frequency | N/A |
| Solvent | N/A |
| pH | N/A |
| Stability | Unknown |
Mechanism of action
Adropin is a 76-amino acid peptide encoded by the Energy Homeostasis Associated (ENHO) gene. It is expressed in the brain, liver, heart, and gut endothelium. Adropin regulates substrate utilisation preference (glucose vs. fatty acid oxidation), with low adropin levels correlating with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. It activates eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) to improve vascular endothelial function and blood flow. Animal studies show adropin administration improves insulin sensitivity, reduces obesity, and enhances cognitive function. Human observational data shows adropin levels inversely correlate with obesity, T2DM, and cognitive decline.
Documented effects (research-model)
- Metabolic fuel selection regulation
- Endothelial function improvement (eNOS activation)
- Insulin sensitivity enhancement in animal models
- Cognitive performance in animal models
- Cardiovascular risk marker associations in human observational data
Research protocols
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Cycle | Vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Only | No human protocol established | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Research context only. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before any protocol decision.
Synergies
No documented synergies in the current reference set.
Myths & misconceptions
Evidence gaps
- No human clinical trials — entirely animal/observational data.
- Mechanism of action at molecular level not fully characterised.
- Half-life and pharmacokinetics in humans unknown.
Safety notes
No human safety data. Extremely early-stage research. Educational profile only — not for injection.
Biomarkers to monitor
Primary-source citations
- PMID 18695213 — Adropin: a peptide hormone regulating energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism (Cell Metab. 2008)
Frequently asked
What is Adropin?
Adropin (ENHO Peptide — Energy Homeostasis Hormone) is a research compound classified in our library as Tier D — Animal or in-vitro data only.. Newly discovered metabolic hormone — regulates fuel selection, endothelial function, and cognitive performance.
What is the evidence tier for Adropin?
We classify Adropin as Tier D: Animal or in-vitro data only. See our full peptide evidence tiers explainer for how we assign S/A/B/C/D.
What is the research dose of Adropin?
For Adropin, typical research dose is No established human dose, route is SubQ (animal studies only), half-life is ~minutes (estimated). Protocols vary by research goal — see the protocols section on this page for standard and advanced dosing schedules. Research use only, not medical advice.
Is Adropin safe?
No human safety data. Extremely early-stage research. Research context only — no compound on this site is approved for human therapeutic use unless explicitly noted.