Side-by-side · Research reference
ARA 290vsGLP-1 (7-37)
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited
BHuman-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED16/43 cited
GLP-1 (7-37)
Incretin Hormone · Native Peptide
Research use only · IV/SC in experimental settings
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
ARA 290
GLP-1 (7-37)
Primary target
Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)
GLP-1 receptor (class B GPCR)Koole 2015
Pathway
EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades
GLP-1R activation → cAMP production → PKA signaling → insulin secretion (pancreatic β-cells)Lu 2025Koole 2015
Downstream effect
Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014Culver 2017
Feedback intact?
N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014
Yes — physiological secretion and degradation preserved
Origin
11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties
Endogenous peptide cleaved from proglucagon in intestinal L cells; secreted postprandially
Antibody development
Not reported in clinical trials
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02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
ARA 290
GLP-1 (7-37)
Standard dose (Phase 2)
4 mg / dayBrines 2015Culver 2017
Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.
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Frequency
Once daily
Self-administered subcutaneously.
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Evidence basis
Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017Brines 2015
64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.
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Timing
Any time of day
No circadian dependence reported.
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Clinical use
—
None — native GLP-1 not used therapeutically
Engineered analogues (semaglutide, liraglutide) used clinically.Friedman 2024
Research dosing
—
Variable — 0.1–10 nmol/kg in animal models
Used as reference standard for analogue comparison.
Modified analogues
—
t½ extended to 13 h (liraglutide), 165 h (semaglutide)
Via DPP-4 resistance + fatty acid acylation.
03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence
Parameter
ARA 290
GLP-1 (7-37)
Primary effect
Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015
Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.
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HbA1c
Significant reduction vs placebo
Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.
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Fasting glucose
Improved in ARA 290 group
—
Body composition
Not directly quantified
Fat loss not a primary endpoint; metabolic improvements may reflect insulin sensitivity.
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Mechanism
—
Native GLP-1 efficacy
—
Minimal — rapid degradation prevents sustained appetite suppression
Gastric emptying
—
Delayed in animal models, contributing to satiety
Body weight impact
—
Not observed with native GLP-1 — requires analogue formulations
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
ARA 290
GLP-1 (7-37)
Injection site reaction
Mild, transient
—
Hematopoiesis
None — non-erythropoietic
Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.
—
Cardiovascular
No thrombotic events or hypertension reported
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Immunogenicity
No antibody formation reported
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Native GLP-1
—
Well-tolerated in research settings; no prolonged exposure data
Hypoglycemia risk
—
Low — insulin secretion is glucose-dependent
Analogue side effects
—
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (GLP-1R agonists)
Not applicable to native GLP-1 due to non-therapeutic use.
GLP-1 resistance
—
High glucose-induced PKCβ overexpression may reduce GLP-1 responsiveness in endothelial cellsPujadas 2016
Absolute Contraindications
ARA 290
- ·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290
GLP-1 (7-37)
—Relative Contraindications
ARA 290
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)
GLP-1 (7-37)
—05Administration Protocol
Parameter
ARA 290
GLP-1 (7-37)
1. Preparation
Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.
Native GLP-1(7-37) is not formulated for therapeutic use. Administered IV or SC in experimental protocols to study GLP-1R pharmacology and as reference standard for analogue development.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.
Lyophilised peptide stored at -20°C or below. Reconstituted solutions should be prepared fresh and used immediately due to rapid degradation.
3. Timing
Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015
For therapeutic GLP-1R activation, use FDA-approved long-acting analogues: semaglutide (once weekly), liraglutide (once daily), dulaglutide (once weekly), or exenatide (twice daily or once weekly).
4. Dosing
4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017
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5. Storage
Lyophilised: store at controlled room temperature. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within specified timeframe.
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06Stack Synergy
ARA 290
+ BPC-157
ModerateARA 290 targets the innate repair receptor (EPO/CD131) for nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair through distinct mechanisms (likely involving VEGF, growth hormone receptor pathways). Combined, they may address both neuroinflammation and structural tissue repair in neuropathy or injury models. No direct clinical data; mechanistic overlap in tissue protection.
- ARA 290
- 4 mg SQ · daily
- BPC-157
- 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
- Frequency
- Once daily, same or separate injections
- Primary benefit
- Nerve regeneration, pain reduction, tissue healing
GLP-1 (7-37)
— no documented stacks