Side-by-side · Research reference

5-Amino-1MQvsFollistatin-344

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongAUTO-DRAFTED8/38 cited

BHuman-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED4/58 cited

5-Amino-1MQ

NNMT inhibitor · Methylation / SAM modulation

100–200 mgDaily dose (oral)Neelakantan 2018

AnimalEvidence levelNeelakantan 2018

HoursHalf-life (est)

Oral · Once daily fasted

Follistatin-344

Myostatin/Activin Antagonist · Research Use

15–25%FST/MSTN ratio ↑

344 AACirculating isoform

ResearchPhase status

Research · No approved protocol

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Follistatin-344

Primary target

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)Neelakantan 2018

Myostatin (MSTN/GDF-8) and Activin A

Pathway

NNMT inhibition → preserved cellular SAM + NAD⁺ → restored methylation balance + ↑ thermogenic gene expressionNeelakantan 2018

FST-344 binds MSTN/Activin → prevents ActRIIB receptor engagement → disinhibits muscle anabolism

Downstream effect

Reversal of HFD-induced obesity in murine models; improved metabolic profileNeelakantan 2018

Elevated follistatin/myostatin ratio, increased muscle protein synthesis, attenuated muscle atrophy signalingJeong 2026

Feedback intact?

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Yes — indirect antagonist, preserves endogenous regulation

Origin

Selective small-molecule inhibitor designed in academic medicinal chemistry programsNeelakantan 2018

Endogenous glycoprotein, 344-AA isoform lacking heparin-binding domain (vs FST-315)

Antibody development

—

Not documented in available trials (endogenous protein)

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Follistatin-344

Standard dose

100–200 mg / day oralNeelakantan 2018

Anecdotal community range; murine doses scaled.

—

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

—

Lower / starter dose

50 mg / day

—

Evidence basis

Animal-strong; no human RCT dataNeelakantan 2018

Human observational / biomarker studies

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

—

Form

Oral capsule

—

Timing

Morning fasted preferred

—

Half-life

Hours (estimated; no human PK published)

Not established

Circulating isoform; lacks tissue-binding domain of FST-315.

Clinical protocol

—

None — no approved dosing regimen

Follistatin-344 measured as endogenous biomarker, not administered exogenously in cited trials.

Research context

—

Endogenous modulation via exercise + nutrition

Resistance training + EAA intake elevated FST/MSTN ratio by 15–25% in 12-week RCT (older women).

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Follistatin-344

Primary target

—

Muscle mass preservation, not direct lipolysis

Indirect fat effect

—

Increased lean mass → elevated resting metabolic rate

Not primary mechanism. Muscle-sparing during deficit.

Clinical evidence

—

Lorcaserin trial (6 mo) showed no MAFI axis changes during fat lossRamirez-Cisneros 2026

Suggests follistatin not primary driver of fat loss in weight-reduction interventions.

GLP-1RA studies

—

Liraglutide (35 days) — no significant MAFI axis modulation despite fat/lean changes

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Follistatin-344

GI symptoms

Mild nausea (anecdotal)

—

Methylation disruption

Theoretical risk if NNMT is over-inhibited (B vitamin metabolism)

—

Long-term safety

Unknown — no human trials

—

Cancer risk

Unclear — NNMT also studied in oncology contexts

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

—

Drug interactions

Theoretical with niacin / B-vitamin supplements

—

Clinical safety data

—

None — no human exogenous administration trials in literature

Theoretical risks

—

Excessive myostatin inhibition → muscle overgrowth, impaired glucose tolerance

Based on myostatin-null animal models and clinical myostatin inhibitor trials.

Endogenous elevation (exercise)

—

No adverse effects reported in 12-week resistance + EAA trials

Cancer risk (theoretical)

—

Myostatin inhibition may promote tumor growth in malignancy (preclinical data)

Regulatory status

—

Not approved for human use — research peptide only

Absolute Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active malignancy

Follistatin-344

·Active malignancy
·No approved protocol — research use only

Relative Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Methylation-sensitive conditions (MTHFR mutation)
·Concurrent niacin / NAD+ precursor supplementation (theoretical interference)

Follistatin-344

·Insulin resistance / Type 2 diabetes (monitor glucose)
·Pregnancy / lactation (unknown safety profile)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Follistatin-344

1. Form

Oral capsule. No injection.

Follistatin-344 is not approved for human administration. All cited studies measure endogenous serum follistatin as a biomarker, not as an exogenous therapeutic agent.

2. Administration

Take with water, fasted preferred.

Resistance exercise combined with essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation elevated the follistatin/myostatin ratio by 15–25% in 12-week randomized trials. Protein intake (1.2–1.5 g/kg/day) synergizes with training to upregulate endogenous follistatin.

3. Timing

Morning fasted.

Serum follistatin and follistatin/myostatin ratio are used diagnostically in sarcopenia screening and as biomarkers of muscle anabolic balance in clinical trials.

4. Storage

Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.

Gene therapy and recombinant follistatin delivery are under preclinical investigation for muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia. No human safety or efficacy data for exogenous FST-344 administration.

5. Caveat

Monitor B-vitamin status with chronic use.

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06Stack Synergy

5-Amino-1MQ

— no documented stacks

Follistatin-344

+ BPC-157

Multi-pathway

View BPC-157 →

Follistatin-344 (myostatin antagonist) and BPC-157 (tissue repair peptide) address complementary pathways in muscle recovery. FST-344 promotes muscle protein synthesis by disinhibiting myostatin signaling, while BPC-157 accelerates healing of tendons, ligaments, and microtears via angiogenesis and collagen synthesis. Combined, they may support both hypertrophy and structural repair during high-volume training or injury recovery.

Follistatin-344: No approved protocol — endogenous modulation via resistance exercise + EAA
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · twice daily · near injury site or systemic
Duration: 4–8 weeks
Primary benefit: Muscle hypertrophy + accelerated soft tissue repair

+ TB-500

Moderate

View TB-500 →

TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment) promotes cell migration, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory signaling in muscle and connective tissue. Follistatin-344's anabolic signaling may synergize with TB-500's regenerative effects during muscle damage or overtraining, particularly in older adults where both myostatin inhibition and tissue repair are rate-limiting.

Follistatin-344: Endogenous upregulation (resistance training + protein)
TB-500: 2–5 mg SQ · twice weekly · loading phase 4 weeks, then maintenance
Frequency: Twice weekly TB-500, daily training stimulus for FST
Primary benefit: Enhanced recovery, reduced inflammation, muscle growth support