Side-by-side · Research reference

CortagenvsIGF-1 LR3

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-REVIEWED10/58 cited

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

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

Cortagen

IGF-1 LR3

Primary target

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

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

Pathway

Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007

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

Downstream effect

Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007 Anisimov 2004

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

Feedback intact?

—

No — exogenous IGF analogue bypasses GH-mediated regulation

Origin

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004

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

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cortagen

IGF-1 LR3

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 / in vitro only

Route

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

—

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

Cortagen

IGF-1 LR3

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

Cortagen

IGF-1 LR3

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.

—

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

Cortagen

—

IGF-1 LR3

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

Relative Contraindications

Cortagen

—

IGF-1 LR3

·Diabetes or glucose intolerance
·Family history of cancer

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cortagen

IGF-1 LR3

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.

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

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

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

3. Timing

Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.

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

4. Storage

Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.

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

06Stack Synergy

Cortagen

— 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)