Research compounds
Mechano Growth Factor
MGF, IGF-1Ec, PEG-MGF
Mechano growth factor is a splice variant of IGF-1 produced in skeletal muscle in response to mechanical loading and damage. It is sold as a research peptide, often in a pegylated form marketed as PEG-MGF. There are no controlled human trials of administered MGF and it is not approved anywhere.
Also known as: PEG-MGF, IGF-1Ec, mechano-growth factor
- Status
- Mechano Growth Factor is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established.
- Half-life
- Native MGF is cleared within minutes; pegylated forms are marketed as lasting substantially longer, but no peer-reviewed human pharmacokinetic data support a specific figure.
- How it's taken
- Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in non-clinical use
- Mechanism
- Anabolic (IGF-1 / myostatin)
- Pathways
- IGF-1
How Mechano Growth Factor works
Mechanical overload shifts IGF-1 splicing toward the IGF-1Ec isoform, whose distinct C-terminal E-domain peptide is what "MGF" refers to. In animal and cell models this E-domain peptide appears to activate satellite cells and promote their proliferation, a step upstream of the differentiation and hypertrophy driven by mature IGF-1. Notably, its effects in these models appear to be independent of the IGF-1 receptor, and the receptor it acts through has not been definitively identified.
What research has looked at
- In rodent and cell-culture studies, the E-domain peptide has been reported to increase satellite cell proliferation and to aid recovery after muscle damage.
- The underlying biology — that mechanical loading alters IGF-1 splicing — is well established in the literature, even though therapeutic use of the isolated peptide is not.
- Pegylation is used commercially to extend what is otherwise an extremely short circulating half-life.
Evidence level: Preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- There are no controlled human trials of administered MGF for muscle growth or recovery. The claimed benefits are extrapolated from animal and in vitro work, and that extrapolation is unvalidated.
- Material sold as MGF or PEG-MGF is research chemical supply. Identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy are unverified, and independent testing of grey-market peptides has repeatedly found mislabelled or underdosed product.
- Anything that stimulates the IGF-1 axis raises theoretical concern about promoting growth of existing occult malignancy. This is a class concern for IGF-1-related compounds and is not quantified for MGF.
- It is prohibited at all times under the WADA Prohibited List as a growth factor.
- Injection-site reactions and infection risk from non-sterile self-injection.
Sources
- PubMed research on mechano growth factor IGF-1Ec splice variant · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for mechano growth factor · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for mechano growth factor · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Mechano Growth Factor FAQ
What is Mechano Growth Factor?
Mechano growth factor is a splice variant of IGF-1 produced in skeletal muscle in response to mechanical loading and damage. It is sold as a research peptide, often in a pegylated form marketed as PEG-MGF. There are no controlled human trials of administered MGF and it is not approved anywhere.
How does Mechano Growth Factor work?
Mechanical overload shifts IGF-1 splicing toward the IGF-1Ec isoform, whose distinct C-terminal E-domain peptide is what "MGF" refers to. In animal and cell models this E-domain peptide appears to activate satellite cells and promote their proliferation, a step upstream of the differentiation and hypertrophy driven by mature IGF-1. Notably, its effects in these models appear to be independent of the IGF-1 receptor, and the receptor it acts through has not been definitively identified.
Is Mechano Growth Factor FDA approved?
No. Mechano Growth Factor is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established.
What is the half-life of Mechano Growth Factor?
Reported half-life: Native MGF is cleared within minutes; pegylated forms are marketed as lasting substantially longer, but no peer-reviewed human pharmacokinetic data support a specific figure.
How is Mechano Growth Factor taken?
Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in non-clinical use.
What side effects have been reported with Mechano Growth Factor?
Reported in the sources: There are no controlled human trials of administered MGF for muscle growth or recovery. The claimed benefits are extrapolated from animal and in vitro work, and that extrapolation is unvalidated; Material sold as MGF or PEG-MGF is research chemical supply. Identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy are unverified, and independent testing of grey-market peptides has repeatedly found mislabelled or underdosed product; Anything that stimulates the IGF-1 axis raises theoretical concern about promoting growth of existing occult malignancy. This is a class concern for IGF-1-related compounds and is not quantified for MGF; It is prohibited at all times under the WADA Prohibited List as a growth factor; Injection-site reactions and infection risk from non-sterile self-injection.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.