Side-by-side · Research reference

CortagenvsTB-500

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-REVIEWED8/46 cited

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

TB-500

Thymosin β4 fragment · Healing

2 mgPer doseGoldstein 2012

Phase 2Evidence levelGoldstein 2012

~2 hrHalf-life

SQ or IM · Multiple sites · 2–3×/week

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cortagen

TB-500

Primary target

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

G-actin (sequestering) + cell-surface integrinsGoldstein 2012

Pathway

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

Actin remodelling → cell migration; integrin-linked signaling → angiogenesis; anti-inflammatory cytokine modulationGoldstein 2012 Malinda 1999

Downstream effect

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

Accelerated wound healing, endothelial migration, hair follicle regeneration, cardiac repair (preclinical)Goldstein 2012

Feedback intact?

—

Endogenous protein at baseline; supplementation amplifies

Origin

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

17-AA active fragment of endogenous 43-AA thymosin β4 (TMSB4X gene)Goldstein 2012

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cortagen

TB-500

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-strong + Phase 2 dermal/ocular trialsGoldstein 2012

Route

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

—

Standard dose

—

2 mg per injectionGoldstein 2012

Anecdotal community range; clinical Phase 2 trials used 70–840 mcg/kg IV.

Frequency

—

2× per week (loading); then 1× per week (maintenance)

Lower / starter dose

—

1 mg per injection

Duration

—

4–8 weeks loading; longer maintenance for chronic injury

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water, 1–2 mL per 5 mg vial

Timing

—

Evening or pre-rest preferred (anecdotal)

Half-life

—

~2 hours (estimated; tissue uptake longer)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cortagen

TB-500

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.

—

Injection site reaction

—

Mild erythema, transient pain

GI symptoms

—

Rare nausea (anecdotal)

Cancer risk

—

Theoretical via angiogenesis pathway

Lethargy / fatigue

—

Reported anecdotally during loading phase

Antibody formation

—

No data (no long-term human trials)

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Long-term safety

—

Unknown beyond Phase 2

Absolute Contraindications

Cortagen

—

TB-500

·Active malignancy (theoretical angiogenesis concern)
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

Cortagen

—

TB-500

·Cancer history
·Concurrent VEGF inhibitor therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cortagen

TB-500

1. Preparation

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

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5–5 mg/mL. Roll gently.

2. Injection site

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

SQ near injury site (preferred), or systemic SQ (abdomen). Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Evening or pre-sleep is most common anecdotal timing.

4. Storage

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

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

27–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Cortagen

— no documented stacks

TB-500

+ BPC-157

Strong

View BPC-157 →

TB-500 and BPC-157 cover complementary halves of tissue repair: BPC-157 upregulates VEGFR2-driven angiogenesis and fibroblast outgrowth; TB-500 sequesters G-actin to enable endothelial / epithelial migration. The anecdotal canonical "healing stack" — pairs especially well for tendon and ligament injuries.

TB-500: 2 mg SQ · 2× per week
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
Primary benefit: Combined angiogenesis + cell migration for tendon/ligament/muscle repair