5-Amino-1MQ
5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium
NNMT inhibitor for fat loss without appetite suppression
About
5-Amino-1MQ is a synthetic small molecule (not a true peptide) that selectively inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that depletes the methyl donors and NAD+ precursors used for cellular energy production. Blocking NNMT in adipocytes shifts fat cells from storage to fuel-burning mode and raises intracellular NAD+ and S-adenosyl-methionine. Unlike GLP-1 drugs, it produces fat-mass reduction in rodents without suppressing appetite or food intake. All current dosing comes from mouse studies scaled to human equivalents — no published Phase 1 human trial exists.
Mechanism
Selectively inhibits NNMT in adipose and liver tissue, preserving nicotinamide for NAD+ synthesis and raising SAM cofactor pools, which promotes fatty-acid oxidation and reduces adipocyte size.
Dosage
When to take: Morning only. Afternoon or evening dosing commonly causes insomnia due to elevated NAD+ and mild stimulant-like effects.
Reconstitution
Vial size (mg): N/A · BAC water (mL): N/A · Concentration: N/A
Oral compound — no reconstitution needed.
Benefits
- Fat-mass reduction without appetite suppression
- Raises intracellular NAD+ and SAM cofactor pools
- Improves liver metabolic markers in obese mice
- Preserves lean mass (no muscle loss in rodent studies)
- Does not reduce food intake — useful when appetite suppression is undesirable
Side effects
- Mild warmth and slightly elevated resting heart rate (weeks 1-2)
- Insomnia if dosed afternoon or evening
- Mild digestive upset with oral capsules
- Reduced exercise tolerance during early cardiovascular training
- Theoretical liver enzyme changes (baseline and post-cycle ALT/AST recommended)
Gender notes
Cautions
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Active cancer or recent cancer history (NNMT role in tumor biology unclear)
- Liver disease
- Children and teenagers
- Known sleep disorders
- Concurrent methotrexate, methylated B vitamins, or methyl-donor-sensitive psychiatric drugs
Research
- Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice
Biochemical Pharmacology · 2018
First demonstration that 5-Amino-1MQ inhibits NNMT, raises NAD+ in adipocytes, and reduces white-adipose mass and body weight in diet-induced obese mice without changing food intake.
- Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase knockdown protects against diet-induced obesity
Nature · 2014
Foundational proof-of-concept showing genetic knockdown of NNMT in adipose tissue protects mice from diet-induced obesity, validating NNMT as a metabolic target.
- Reduced calorie diet combined with NNMT inhibition establishes a distinct microbiome in DIO mice
Scientific Reports · 2022
Combining 5-Amino-1MQ with a reduced-calorie diet produced synergistic reductions in fat and liver-fat mass beyond either intervention alone.