Side-by-side · Research reference
CortagenvsHGH Fragment 176-191
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED11/35 cited
BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED28/59 cited
Cortagen
Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School
Injectable · Animal models
HGH Fragment 176-191
GH Fragment · Pre-Clinical
SQ · IP (animal) · Oral (tested)
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Cortagen
HGH Fragment 176-191
Primary target
Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation
Beta-3 adrenergic receptors on adipocytesHeffernan 2001
Pathway
Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007
Fragment → β3-AR upregulation → Enhanced lipolytic sensitivityHeffernan 2001
Downstream effect
Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007Anisimov 2004
Increased lipolysis and beta-3 AR mRNA expression without IGF-1 axis activation
Feedback intact?
—
N/A — does not interact with GH/IGF-1 axis
Origin
Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004
Synthetic peptide derived from hGH residues 176-191; AOD9604 includes N-terminal tyrosine (177-191)Cox 2015
Antibody development
—
Not reported in available studies
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Cortagen
HGH Fragment 176-191
Animal model dose (rat)
Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)
Multiple injections over study period.
—
Avian model dose (chicken)
40-day injection courseKuznik 2008
Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.
—
Human peripheral nerve study
Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)
Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.
—
Evidence basis
Animal mechanistic studies
Animal studies only
Route
Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)
—
Animal dose (IP)
—
Not specified (14-day chronic administration)Heffernan 2001
Obese mice, daily IP injection.
Human equivalent dose
—
Not established — no published human RCTs
Frequency
—
Once daily (animal models)
Detection window
—
50 pg/mL LOD in urine; stable metabolite extends detectionCox 2015
WADA-banned; anti-doping testing available.
Oral bioavailability
—
Demonstrated efficacy in animal oral administrationNg 2000
Potential for oral therapeutic development.
03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence
Parameter
Cortagen
HGH Fragment 176-191
Weight gain reduction
—
50% reduction vs control (15.8 ± 0.6 g vs 35.6 ± 0.8 g)Ng 2000
Obese Zucker rats, 19 days oral administration.
Body fat reduction
—
Significant decrease in body weight and body fat in obese mice (14 days)Heffernan 2001
Lipolytic activity
—
Increased adipose tissue lipolytic activityNg 2000
Direct measurement in treated animals.
Insulin sensitivity
—
No adverse effect — euglycemic clamp confirmedNg 2000
Contrasts with intact hGH diabetogenic effects.
IGF-1 impact
—
No elevation — fragment does not activate GH/IGF-1 axis
Beta-3 AR dependency
—
Effect abolished in β3-AR knockout miceHeffernan 2001
Confirms β3-AR as primary mechanism.
Human evidence
—
None published — pre-clinical only
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Cortagen
HGH Fragment 176-191
Antioxidant suppression
Suppression of antioxidant activity noted alongside LPO reductionKozina 2007
Mechanism unclear — possible homeostatic adaptation.
—
Immune/hemostasis effects
No effect on immunity or hemostasis parameters in avian hypophysectomy model (unlike epithalon)Kuznik 2008
Epithalon reversed deficits; cortagen did not.
—
Human safety data
No adverse events reported in peripheral nerve recovery context
Limited detail in available abstracts.
Not available — no published human trials
Metabolic profile
—
Six metabolites identified; CRSVEGSCG most stableCox 2015
Detection window implications for doping control.
Absolute Contraindications
Cortagen
—HGH Fragment 176-191
- ·Competitive athletes (WADA-banned)Cox 2015
Relative Contraindications
Cortagen
—HGH Fragment 176-191
- ·Absence of human safety data — experimental use only
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Cortagen
HGH Fragment 176-191
1. Preparation
Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.
Subcutaneous injection primary route in research context. Oral administration demonstrated efficacy in animal models at 500 mcg/kg.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
Once daily dosing used in animal studies. Timing not specified; GH-independent mechanism suggests flexibility.
3. Timing
Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.
Animal protocols: 14–19 days. Human duration not established — no published trials.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.
Lyophilized peptide storage per standard peptide protocols. Metabolite stability suggests refrigerated reconstituted solution viable.
5. Detection
—
Detectable in urine via SPE-LC-MS at 50 pg/mL LOD. Extended detection window via stable metabolite CRSVEGSCG.Cox 2015