Side-by-side · Research reference

CartalaxvsIGF-1 LR3

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

AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED10/32 cited

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED10/58 cited

Cartalax

Bioregulator Peptide · Khavinson School

CartilagePrimary tissuePovorozniuk 2007

MSC → ChondrocyteDifferentiation axisLinkova 2023

BMD ↑Bone density effectPovorozniuk 2007

SQ · Protocol Unspecified

IGF-1 LR3

IGF-1 Analogue · Research

3–10×Potency vs IGF-I

Low IGFBPBinding affinity

ResearchStatus

Research only · SQ typical in animal models

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cartalax

IGF-1 LR3

Primary target

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergoing chondrogenic differentiationLinkova 2023

IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)McTavish 2009

Pathway

Modulation of WNT, ERK-p38, and Smad 1/5/8 signaling pathwaysLinkova 2023

IGF-1R → IRS-1 → PI3K/Akt → Cell proliferation, protein synthesis, anti-apoptosisMuhlbradt 2009

Downstream effect

Upregulation of chondrogenic genes (COL2, SOX9, ACAN); increased bone mineral density; osteoprotective effects in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosisLinkova 2023 Povorozniuk 2007

Enhanced cell proliferation, muscle anabolism, inhibition of apoptosis, increased telomerase activity

Feedback intact?

—

No — exogenous IGF analogue bypasses GH-mediated regulation

Origin

Derived from cartilaginous tissue extracts (Khavinson bioregulator methodology)Povorozniuk 2007

Synthetic 83-AA analogue: 13-AA N-terminal extension + Arg substitution at position 3

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cartalax

IGF-1 LR3

Animal model dose

Unspecified (cartilaginous tissue extract protocol)

Rat study; extract preparation details not indexed in available abstracts.

—

Human dosing

Not established in PubMed-indexed literature

Russian-tradition protocols exist but lack peer-reviewed Western validation.

—

Evidence basis

Animal mechanistic studies only

Animal / in vitro only

Research dose (animal models)

—

Variable by protocol and species

In vivo murine atherosclerosis studies used sustained delivery.

In vitro typical concentration

—

10–1000 ng/mLThomas 2007

Dose-dependent effects on follicle growth and estradiol production.

Half-maximal stimulation

—

0.6 nM LR3 vs 1.5 nM native IGF-1Price 2004

2.5-fold greater potency in lung fibroblast proliferation.

Human use

—

Not FDA-approved; no published human trials

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

Cartalax

IGF-1 LR3

Fat loss evidence

None — primary target is cartilage and bone tissue, not adipose

—

Mechanism

—

IGF-1R activation → lipolytic signaling; secondary to anabolic effects

Direct lipolytic evidence

—

Minimal — primarily anabolic/anti-apoptotic in literature

Atherosclerotic plaque effects

—

Reduced stenosis and core size in ApoE-KO micevon 2011

Plaque stabilization via vSMC phenotype modulation, not direct fat loss.

Human data

—

None published

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cartalax

IGF-1 LR3

Documented adverse effects

None reported in indexed animal studies

—

Human safety data

Not available in PubMed-indexed literature

—

Hypoglycemia risk

—

Theoretical — IGF-1 analogues can lower blood glucose

Excessive cell proliferation

—

Mitogenic signaling; theoretical tumor promotion risk

Telomerase activation

—

2–10-fold increase in prostate cancer cells (PC-3, DU-145, LAPC-4)Wetterau 2003

Critically involved in cancer cell immortalization.

Oocyte degeneration

—

Increased oocyte degeneration at high doses (≥1000 ng/mL) in bovine folliclesThomas 2007

Unregulated anabolism

—

Bypasses physiological GH/IGF-1 feedback; no pulsatility control

Unknown human safety profile

—

No published human trials; safety data absent

Absolute Contraindications

Cartalax

·Unknown due to lack of human clinical trial data

IGF-1 LR3

·Active malignancy or history of cancer
·Not approved for human use

Relative Contraindications

Cartalax

·Active malignancy (theoretical; peptide bioregulators may influence cell proliferation pathways)

IGF-1 LR3

·Diabetes or glucose intolerance
·Family history of cancer

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cartalax

IGF-1 LR3

1. Route

Subcutaneous injection typical for Khavinson bioregulators; specific protocols not detailed in indexed literature.

IGF-1 LR3 is not FDA-approved for human use. All administration data derives from animal or in vitro studies.

2. Frequency

Russian-tradition protocols often employ 10-day cycles; precise frequency unspecified in available abstracts.

Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection in animal models. In vitro: added directly to culture medium at concentrations of 10–1000 ng/mL.Thomas 2007

3. Storage

Lyophilised peptide bioregulators typically stored at 2–8 °C, light-protected. Reconstitution details not indexed.

Lyophilised powder reconstituted in sterile water or buffered saline per manufacturer protocol. Store at 2–8 °C after reconstitution.

4. Stability

—

Enhanced stability vs native IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding; exact half-life in vivo not fully characterized in humans.

06Stack Synergy

Cartalax

— no documented stacks

IGF-1 LR3

+ GHRP-6

Multi-pathway

View GHRP-6 →

GHRP-6 stimulates endogenous GH release, which drives hepatic IGF-1 synthesis. IGF-1 LR3 provides exogenous, IGFBP-resistant IGF signaling. Combining upstream GH stimulation with downstream IGF receptor activation creates a dual-pathway anabolic effect. However, this bypasses natural feedback and carries compounded mitogenic risk.

GHRP-6: 100–200 mcg SQ · 2–3× daily
IGF-1 LR3: Research doses variable · post-workout typical in animal models
Note: Research context only — no human protocols exist
Primary benefit: Theoretical maximal anabolic signaling (GH + IGF axes)

+ Ipamorelin

Multi-pathway

View Ipamorelin →

Ipamorelin (selective GHRP) stimulates pulsatile GH release without cortisol/prolactin elevation. IGF-1 LR3 directly activates IGF-1R independent of GH. This stack targets both upstream (GH secretion) and downstream (IGF receptor) nodes but eliminates physiological feedback, raising safety concerns around unchecked proliferation.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · evening
IGF-1 LR3: Research doses only · timing variable
Caution: No human data; animal/in vitro only
Primary benefit: Dual-axis anabolic signaling (theoretical)