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Research Use Only18+Not for Human ConsumptionReconstitution Materials Not Supplied
Peptide Database

Growth hormone & endocrine research

IGF-1 DES (Des(1-3) IGF-1): Research Overview

Shortened IGF-1 variant studied in localised muscle growth research. Never approved for human use.

Also known as Des(1-3) IGF-1 · DES IGF-1 · Des(1-3

Research use onlyStrongest evidence: controlled clinical trialReviewed
DatabaseReferences

What is IGF-1 DES IGF-1)?

IGF-1 DES (Des(1-3) IGF-1) is a truncated analog of insulin-like growth factor-1, missing the first three N-terminal amino acids. This structural modification eliminates binding to IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), meaning 100% of the peptide is bioactive rather than being sequestered in circulation.

What is IGF-1 DES IGF-1) researched for?

  • Site-specific muscle growth via direct intramuscular injection into target muscle post-workout.
  • Stimulates satellite cell proliferation and differentiation, potentially creating new muscle fibers.
  • Accelerates local tissue recovery in the injected muscle group after training.
  • Promotes repair and regeneration at the injection site through IGF-1R activation.

How does IGF-1 DES IGF-1) work?

IGF-1 DES activates the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and downstream PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, driving both muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Because it lacks the tripeptide Gly-Pro-Glu at the N-terminus, it cannot bind to IGFBPs that normally sequester ~98% of circulating IGF-1. This means the entire administered dose remains bioavailable.

Reported targets: IGF-1R, IGF-1 receptor

References

  1. The isolation and characterization of a naturally occurring truncated form of IGF-I in human brain Sara VR, Carlsson-Skwirut C, Andersson C, Hall E, Sjogren B, Holmgren A, Jornvall H Biochemical and

    Biophysical Research Communications · 1986

    First identification and characterization of Des(1-3) IGF-1 as a naturally occurring truncated form of IGF-1 in human brain tissue, establishing that the N-terminal tripeptide deletion occurs endogenously.

  2. Des(1-3)IGF-I: A truncated form of insulin-like growth factor-I that has greatly enhanced activity in promoting growth

    Francis GL, Ross M, Ballard FJ, et al. · Wells JR Journal of Molecular Endocrinology · 1992

    Des(1-3) IGF-1 demonstrated approximately 10-fold greater potency than intact IGF-1 in stimulating protein synthesis and cell proliferation, directly attributable to its inability to bind IGF binding proteins.

  3. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and especially IGF-I variants are anabolic in dexamethasone-treated rats

    Tomas FM, Knowles SE, Owens PC, et al. · The Biochemical journal · 1992

    Des(1-3) IGF-1 and LR3-IGF-1 were significantly more potent than native IGF-1 in reversing dexamethasone-induced muscle wasting in rats, with truncated and modified variants showing superior anabolic activity.

    Animal study · PMID 1371669

  4. Circulating Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Concentrations and Risk of 30 Cancers: Prospective Analyses in UK Biobank

    Knuppel A, Fensom GK, Watts EL, et al. · Cancer research · 2020

    Higher circulating IGF-1 associated with increased risks of colorectal, breast, prostate, and thyroid cancers in >395,000 UK Biobank participants, underscoring the cancer risk of sustained IGF-1 pathway activation.

    Controlled clinical trial · PMID 32709735

  5. Studies on the mechanism of membrane fusion: site-specific mutagenesis of the hemagglutinin of influenza virus

    Gething MJ, Doms RW, York D, et al. · The Journal of cell biology · 1986

    PMID 3753607

  6. [Interferon-inducing activity of hydroxybenzylamine derivative]

    Saĭitkulov AM, Ershov FI, Aslanov KhA, et al. · Antibiotiki i khimioterapiia = Antibiotics and chemoterapy [sic] · 1992

    PMID 1381175