01 · mechanism of action
5-Amino-1MQ is a highly selective, membrane-permeable inhibitor of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). In animal studies on obese mice, treatment led to a significant reduction in body fat without changing caloric intake — an effect explained by elevated NAD+ levels and activation of the sirtuin signaling pathway. In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, treated mice showed a 7 % reduction in body weight and measurably smaller adipocytes compared to controls. NNMT inhibition simultaneously increased SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) levels, influencing epigenetic methylation. Further research suggests improved insulin sensitivity and increased mitochondrial activity in muscle cells.