Mechano Growth Factor, IGF-1Ec E-domain
Evidence Grade B — Strong clinical evidence. 1524 published studies, 396 human. 101 registered clinical trials.
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a 24-amino-acid peptide corresponding to a fragment of an IGF-1 variant that is naturally expressed in muscle after exercise or mechanical loading. No human clinical trials have been conducted. A fundamental question remains unresolved: whether this peptide fragment is actually produced and released as a standalone molecule in living tissue.
1,524 published studies: 396 human, 382 animal, 214 in-vitro, 82 reviews
MGF has no marketing authorisation. No human clinical trials have been conducted. The evidence base consists of animal studies and cell culture experiments. A single mouse study reported increased muscle fibre size after intramuscular injection.
The compound's very short half-life (estimated minutes) in its native form has led to the development of PEGylated versions (PEG-MGF, #105) in unregulated channels, though this creates a pharmacologically distinct molecule. Products available through unregulated channels lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.
Research in animal models and cell culture suggests MGF may stimulate muscle precursor cell (satellite cell) proliferation through a mechanism that may be distinct from classical IGF-1 receptor signalling. These observations are from preclinical studies. The relationship between this isolated peptide fragment and the full-length IGF-1 splice variant's biological activity in intact human tissue is not established.
Research in animal models and cell cultures suggests MGF may stimulate muscle precursor cell growth, but the evidence base has significant caveats. Most research originates from a single laboratory, and a critical 2010 review stated there is inadequate evidence that this peptide is actually a product of natural gene expression — challenging the basic premise. The extremely short half-life (approximately 5-7 minutes) makes practical use challenging, which has led to PEGylated versions in unregulated channels. No human safety, dosing, or efficacy data exist from controlled trials. Products from unregulated sources lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.
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The information on this page is provided for educational and research reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
Somatropin has been available since the mid-1980s and is one of the most established peptide therapies. It is sold under numerous brand names including Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, and Omnitrope (the first biosimilar approved in the US, 2006). Approved indications include childhood and adult growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, children born small for gestational age, Prader-Willi syndrome, idiopathic short stature, and short stature from chronic kidney disease. Daily injection has been the main burden of somatropin therapy, particularly for paediatric patients who may require years of treatment. This has driven the development of once-weekly alternatives (somatrogon and somapacitan), which are gradually changing the treatment landscape. Annual treatment costs remain substantial, and concerns about misuse in anti-ageing and performance enhancement contexts are ongoing.
Tesamorelin is marketed as Egrifta SV (approved November 2010) for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. In clinical trials, it reduced visceral fat by approximately 15% compared to a 5% increase with placebo, and this reduction was sustained with continued treatment. Tesamorelin occupies a unique niche — it is the only approved GHRH analogue and the only medication specifically approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Beyond its approved indication, it has attracted research interest for potential effects on liver fat, cognitive function, and peripheral neuropathy. Fat reduction reverses when treatment stops, and it is not approved for general weight loss or body composition purposes.
Somatrogon is marketed as Ngenla (approved June 2023) for paediatric growth hormone deficiency in children aged 3 years and older. In the pivotal trial, once-weekly somatrogon produced growth rates equivalent to daily somatropin injections (10.1 cm/year versus 9.8 cm/year), confirming that reducing injection frequency does not compromise growth outcomes. Ngenla represents a meaningful advance for paediatric patients and their families, reducing injections from 365 to 52 per year. Treatment adherence has been a persistent challenge with daily growth hormone, and weekly dosing is expected to improve long-term outcomes through better compliance. Somatrogon competes directly with somapacitan (Sogroya), the other approved weekly growth hormone, creating a new generation of less burdensome treatment options.
