Side-by-side · Research reference

CortagenvsRetatrutide

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

BPhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED10/41 cited

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

Retatrutide

Triple-receptor agonist · Phase 3

1–12 mgWeekly doseJastreboff 2023

24.2%Body-weight ↓Jastreboff 2023

~6 daysHalf-life (est)

SQ · Abdomen · Once weekly

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cortagen

Retatrutide

Primary target

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

GLP-1R + GIPR + Glucagon receptor (triple agonism)Jastreboff 2023

Pathway

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

Triple-receptor activation → ↑insulin (GLP-1+GIP), ↓gastric emptying, ↑lipid handling, ↑energy expenditure (glucagon component)Jastreboff 2023

Downstream effect

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

Maximal weight loss across class. Glucagon component drives lipolysis and energy expenditure beyond GLP-1+GIP aloneJastreboff 2023

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

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

Synthetic peptide engineered for balanced affinity at three incretin / glucagon receptorsJastreboff 2023

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cortagen

Retatrutide

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

Phase 2 trial; Phase 3 ongoingJastreboff 2023

Route

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

—

Standard dose

—

12 mg / week (max efficacy)Jastreboff 2023

Phase 2 trial dose. Phase 3 dosing TBD.

Frequency

—

Once weekly

Titration schedule

—

2 mg → 4 mg → 8 mg → 12 mg over 16 weeks

Duration

—

Indefinite for chronic indication (presumed)

Reconstitution

—

Investigational; not commercially available

Timing

—

Any time of day

Half-life

—

~6 days (estimated from class)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cortagen

Retatrutide

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.

—

GI symptoms

—

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (very common, dose-dependent)Jastreboff 2023

Heart rate

—

↑ resting HR (3–7 bpm at 12 mg)Jastreboff 2023

Glucose handling

—

Glycemic improvement; rare hyperglycemia from glucagon component

Pancreatitis risk

—

Class warning

Thyroid C-cell tumours

—

Class warning (presumed)

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid (insufficient data)

Absolute Contraindications

Cortagen

—

Retatrutide

·MTC personal or family history (presumed class effect)
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

Cortagen

—

Retatrutide

·Severe gastroparesis
·History of pancreatitis
·Severe cardiovascular disease (HR signal)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cortagen

Retatrutide

1. Preparation

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

Investigational peptide. Research vials reconstituted with bacteriostatic water per label.

2. Injection site

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

SQ — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate weekly.

3. Timing

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

Once weekly, same day.

4. Storage

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

Refrigerate 2–8 °C. Light-protected.

5. Needle

—

27–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.