Encyclopedia

MGF

MGF is a splice variant of IGF-1 (IGF-1Ec) that muscle expresses after loading or damage, and its E-peptide region is thought to activate satellite cells for repair and growth. The FDA has not approved it, WADA prohibits it, and evidence rests on animal and cell studies. Educational only, not medical advice.

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Category	Growth Hormone
Regulatory status	Not FDA-approved.

Mechanism

A splice variant of IGF-1 (IGF-1Ec) expressed locally in mechanically loaded or damaged muscle; its E-peptide region is thought to activate quiescent muscle satellite (stem) cells and promote their proliferation, contributing to muscle repair and hypertrophy.

Half-life

The unmodified synthetic E-peptide is degraded very rapidly in serum (reported on the order of minutes). It is a peptide. Human pharmacokinetic data are limited.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. Sold as a research chemical / for laboratory use only. As an IGF-1-related growth factor it falls under substances prohibited by WADA.

Safety

Limited safety data; theoretical concerns mirror IGF-1 (growth signaling, potential effect on tumor promotion). Purity and contamination of research-grade material are practical concerns.

Evidence

Mechanistic/animal and cell-culture evidence; no robust human clinical trials supporting performance or anti-aging use.

Sources

Kandalla PK, et al. Mechano Growth Factor E peptide (MGF-E) activates human muscle progenitor cells and increases fusion potential at different ages. Mech Ageing Dev. 2011;132(4):154-162. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21354439/
Hill M, Goldspink G. Expression and splicing of the IGF gene in rodent muscle is associated with muscle satellite cell activation following local tissue damage. J Physiol. 2003;549(2):409-418. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12692175/
Fornaro M, et al. Mechano-growth factor peptide has no apparent effect on myoblasts or primary muscle stem cells. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2014;306(2):E150-E156. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24253048/
Janssen JAMJL, et al. Potency of full-length MGF to induce maximal activation of the Akt/p70S6k pathway. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(3). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4798685/
Matheny RW Jr, et al. Mechano-growth factor: a putative product of IGF-I gene expression in tissue repair. Endocrinology. 2010;151(3):865-875. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20130113/

PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. MGF may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.