Side-by-side · Research reference

5-Amino-1MQvsIGF-DES

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

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED8/60 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

IGF-DES

IGF-1 Analogue · Truncated N-Terminal

~10×Potency vs IGF-1

ReducedIGFBP binding

ResearchStatus

Injection (local or systemic) · Research protocols onlyBredehöft 2008

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

IGF-DES

Primary target

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)Neelakantan 2018

IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R)Shields 2007

Pathway

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

IGF1R activation → PI3K/Akt & MAPK signaling → protein synthesis, proliferation

Downstream effect

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

Enhanced muscle protein synthesis, myoblast differentiation, reduced apoptosis, cell proliferation

Feedback intact?

—

Unknown — no human endocrine feedback data

Origin

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

Synthetic truncation of native IGF-1 — removal of N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptideBredehöft 2008

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

IGF-DES

Standard dose

100–200 mg / day oralNeelakantan 2018

Anecdotal community range; murine doses scaled.

—

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

Variable — daily to multiple times daily in research

Lower / starter dose

50 mg / day

—

Evidence basis

Animal-strong; no human RCT dataNeelakantan 2018

Animal models + in vitro only

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

—

Form

Oral capsule

—

Timing

Morning fasted preferred

—

Half-life

Hours (estimated; no human PK published)

Shorter than IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding

Rapid tissue uptake, limited systemic circulation.

Research dose range

—

10–100 ng/mL (in vitro); μg doses (animal models)

Highly context-dependent; no standardized human protocol.

Route

—

Subcutaneous or intramuscular (local injection favored)

Local delivery maximizes tissue-specific uptake.

Human data

—

None — no clinical trials

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

IGF-DES

Primary mechanism

—

Indirect via muscle hypertrophy → metabolic rate elevation

Direct lipolysis

—

Minimal evidence — IGF-1 axis primarily anabolic, not lipolytic

Prostate model

—

Inhibited BPH cell proliferation when combined with vitamin D3 analogueCrescioli 2002

Context-specific anti-proliferative effect, not fat loss.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

IGF-DES

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

—

Hypoglycemia risk

—

Theoretical — IGF-1 axis enhances glucose uptake

Mitogenic risk

—

Chronic IGF-1 receptor activation may promote cell proliferation, potential tumor growthCrescioli 2002

Injection site reaction

—

Expected — erythema, irritation, local swelling

Edema / Fluid retention

—

Possible via sodium retention (IGF-1 axis effect)

Human safety data

—

Absent — no human trials, all effects theoretical or extrapolated

Unknown long-term effects

—

No chronic dosing studies in humans; endocrine, metabolic consequences unknown

Absolute Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active malignancy

IGF-DES

·Active malignancy or history of cancer (mitogenic risk)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no safety data)
·Hypoglycemia disorders

Relative Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

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

IGF-DES

·Diabetes mellitus (unpredictable glucose effects)
·Renal or hepatic impairment (clearance unknown)
·Edema-prone conditions (heart failure, nephrotic syndrome)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

IGF-DES

1. Form

Oral capsule. No injection.

Des(1-3)IGF-1 has no approved human protocol. All administration details are derived from animal or in vitro research and should not be construed as medical guidance.

2. Administration

Take with water, fasted preferred.

Sterile water or bacteriostatic water per research protocol. Gently swirl; do not shake. Store reconstituted peptide at 2–8 °C.

3. Timing

Morning fasted.

Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh) or intramuscular (deltoid, vastus lateralis). Local injection to target tissue (e.g., muscle group) may enhance regional uptake.

4. Storage

Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.

Frequency and timing vary by research design. Post-exercise or fasted state may theoretically enhance muscle uptake.

5. Caveat

Monitor B-vitamin status with chronic use.

27–31G insulin syringe for subcutaneous; 25–27G for intramuscular.

6. Monitoring

—

Glucose monitoring essential (hypoglycemia risk). No established IGF-1 or safety labs for human use.

06Stack Synergy

5-Amino-1MQ

— no documented stacks

IGF-DES

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

Des(1-3)IGF-1 promotes myoblast differentiation and protein synthesis, while BPC-157 enhances tissue repair, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. Both act on distinct pathways (IGF1R vs gastric pentadecapeptide mechanisms) to support muscle recovery and connective tissue integrity. Synergy is mechanistic but lacks direct co-administration studies.

Des(1-3)IGF-1: Research dose post-workout (local IM)
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ, daily or twice daily
Frequency: Daily or per research protocol
Primary benefit: Accelerated muscle repair, enhanced hypertrophy, connective tissue support

+ TB-500

Moderate

View TB-500 →

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) promotes cell migration, angiogenesis, and wound healing via actin regulation. Des(1-3)IGF-1 drives protein synthesis and myoblast proliferation. Combined, these peptides may synergistically enhance muscle recovery, repair, and hypertrophy through complementary anabolic and regenerative pathways. No direct human co-administration data.

Des(1-3)IGF-1: Research dose post-workout (local IM)
TB-500: 2–5 mg SQ, 2× weekly
Frequency: Per research cycle
Primary benefit: Muscle hypertrophy, injury recovery, vascular support