Pancreatic Polypeptide
Evidence: B/C — Meaningful Human EvidenceNeuroendocrine / Appetite-Energy Balance Signaling
Evidence Snapshot
What this grade covers
Two independent, concordant, placebo-controlled human IV-infusion trials (Batterham 2003, N=10; Jesudason 2007, N=14, half-dose replication) directly measuring appetite/food-intake endpoints -- real human intervention evidence, but only 2 studies (site precedent typically shows B at ~3 concordant studies). No long-term, large-N, or therapeutic-outcome human evidence exists. Y4-receptor-specific and Prader-Willi-syndrome human evidence remain unresolved/unfrozen and support no claim. Overall page grade: B/C.
Regulatory Context
Native Pancreatic Polypeptide is an endogenous human hormone and is not itself an FDA-approved drug product.
In Plain English
A quick, research-focused overview. It does not replace, and cannot outrank, the detailed evidence below.
What is it?
A 36-amino-acid pancreatic islet hormone in the PP-fold family, signaling primarily via the Y4 receptor.
Why are researchers interested in it?
Studied for its acute appetite-suppressing effect in controlled human infusion trials.
What does the evidence look like?
Two independent, concordant, small controlled human IV-infusion trials -- the strongest direct human intervention evidence among this project's appetite-family subjects, but still small-N and short-duration.
Biggest things to know
IV PP infusion reduced buffet-meal energy intake by ~22% in one trial (N=10) and reduced food intake at a lower, more physiological dose in a second trial (N=14).
What don't we know yet?
Whether PP has any long-term appetite or weight effect -- no long-duration or large-N trial exists.
Research Takeaway
Native human Pancreatic Polypeptide (PP) is a 36-amino-acid hormone; the human PP gene has been chromosomally mapped.
Evidence boundary: Identity only.
See all 3 evidence claims →Quick Summary
Pancreatic Polypeptide (PP) is a 36-amino-acid pancreatic hormone in the PP-fold family alongside NPY and PYY. Two small, controlled human IV-infusion trials found it reduced acute food intake.
Mechanism & Research Overview
Pancreatic Polypeptide (PP) is a 36-amino-acid pancreatic hormone in the PP-fold family alongside NPY and PYY. Two small, controlled human IV-infusion trials found it reduced acute food intake.
Evidence Claims
Individual scientific statements drawn from the sources cited below, each shown with the specific evidence boundary that statement does not establish.
Supported
Native human Pancreatic Polypeptide (PP) is a 36-amino-acid hormone; the human PP gene has been chromosomally mapped.
Does not establish
Evidence boundary: Identity only.
Sources: Genes encoding pancreatic polypeptide and neuropeptide Y are on human chromosomes 17 and 7
Supported
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 10 healthy volunteers, IV PP infusion (10 pmol/kg/min) reduced buffet-meal energy intake by 21.8+/-5.7% at 2 hours post-infusion (p<0.01).
Does not establish
Evidence boundary: Small-N acute mechanistic trial; no long-term or therapeutic-efficacy inference.
Sources: Pancreatic Polypeptide Reduces Appetite and Food Intake in Humans
Supported
A lower, more physiological PP infusion dose (5 pmol/kg/min, half the Batterham dose) also reduced food intake in 14 lean fasted volunteers over a 90-minute infusion.
Does not establish
Evidence boundary: Small-N acute mechanistic trial; dose-response replication, not independent confirmation of long-term efficacy.
Sources: Low-dose pancreatic polypeptide inhibits food intake in man
Safety & Evidence Limitations
Considerations reported in the sources cited on this page — not a complete list of every possible risk, and not medical advice.
Safety Consideration
Both human intervention studies are small (N=10, N=14), short-duration, IV-infusion mechanistic trials; no long-term, large-N, or therapeutic-outcome trial exists.Safety Consideration
No long-term human tolerability/safety data exists beyond the short infusion windows of the two frozen trials.
Research Areas Being Studied
Research areas discussed on this page reflect the Neuroendocrine / Appetite-Energy Balance Signaling category and the sources cited below.
Findings Reported in Studies
Educational summary only — reported in cited studies, not a claim of proven benefit.
- Low-dose pancreatic polypeptide inhibits food intake in man (2007):
- Pancreatic Polypeptide Reduces Appetite and Food Intake in Humans (2003):
- Genes encoding pancreatic polypeptide and neuropeptide Y are on human chromosomes 17 and 7 (1986):
Study Tables by Evidence Type
Human Studies & Clinical Data
| Title | Year | Population / Model | Dose / Duration / Finding | Safety Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-dose pancreatic polypeptide inhibits food intake in man | 2007 | 14 lean fasted volunteers | A lower, more physiological PP infusion dose (5 pmol/kg/min, half the Batterham dose) reduced food intake over a 90-minute infusion. | ||
| Pancreatic Polypeptide Reduces Appetite and Food Intake in Humans | 2003 | 10 healthy volunteers | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial; IV PP infusion (10 pmol/kg/min) reduced buffet-meal energy intake by 21.8+/-5.7% at 2 hours post-infusion (p<0.01). | ||
| Genes encoding pancreatic polypeptide and neuropeptide Y are on human chromosomes 17 and 7 | 1986 | Human gene mapping | Human PP gene chromosomally mapped, establishing native human PP molecular/genetic identity distinct from NPY. |
Animal / Cell / Preclinical Data
No Animal / Cell / Preclinical Data Listed Yet
This section will be updated as sources are added.
Regulatory Documents & Official Trial Registries
No Regulatory Documents & Official Trial Registries Listed Yet
This section will be updated as sources are added.
Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice
Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice
Reported dosing patterns are included for educational context only. They are self-reported, unverified, not medical advice, and not instructions for human use. Community-submitted patterns are not yet available in this Phase 1 prototype; this section is a placeholder reserved for moderated, aggregated community data.
Lab Markers to Discuss With a Clinician
Educational topics only — not self-monitoring instructions.
FAQ
Disclaimer
Evidence is limited to two small, short, controlled human infusion studies -- not a long-term safety or efficacy record.
Educational use only. This content is provided for informational and research-summary purposes only. It is not medical advice, not a treatment recommendation, not a dosing guide, and not a substitute for care from a licensed medical professional. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or mitigate disease. Reported dosing patterns, when shown elsewhere on the site, must be labeled either as Study / Trial Dosing or Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice. Community reports are self-reported, unverified, and not scientific proof.
Community-reported experiences, once enabled, must be displayed only as moderated, anonymized, or aggregated data. They are anecdotal, self-reported, unverified, and should never be presented as proof of safety, efficacy, or expected results.
Content status: Published. Last updated 2026-08-28.
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