Side-by-side · Research reference

DihexavsIGF-DES

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

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED7/28 cited

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED8/60 cited

Dihexa

Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical

Pre-clinicalDevelopment stage

Rodent onlyEvidence basisBenoist 2014

HGF/c-MetTarget systemWright 2015

Not established — animal studies only

IGF-DES

IGF-1 Analogue · Truncated N-Terminal

~10×Potency vs IGF-1

ReducedIGFBP binding

ResearchStatus

Injection (local or systemic) · Research protocols onlyBredehöft 2008

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Dihexa

IGF-DES

Primary target

c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)

IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R)Shields 2007

Pathway

HGF/c-Met receptor activation → downstream signaling cascade → synaptogenesis and dendritic arborization

IGF1R activation → PI3K/Akt & MAPK signaling → protein synthesis, proliferation

Downstream effect

Induction of dendritic arborization, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in rodent models

Enhanced muscle protein synthesis, myoblast differentiation, reduced apoptosis, cell proliferation

Feedback intact?

—

Unknown — no human endocrine feedback data

Origin

Small-molecule angiotensin IV analogue designed to activate HGF/c-Met systemWright 2015

Synthetic truncation of native IGF-1 — removal of N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptideBredehöft 2008

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Dihexa

IGF-DES

Human dosing

Not established — no human trials

—

Animal studies

Mouse/rat models only — dosing not translatable to humans

—

Evidence basis

Pre-clinical / Rodent models

Animal models + in vitro only

Clinical status

No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published

—

Research dose range

—

10–100 ng/mL (in vitro); μg doses (animal models)

Highly context-dependent; no standardized human protocol.

Route

—

Subcutaneous or intramuscular (local injection favored)

Local delivery maximizes tissue-specific uptake.

Frequency

—

Variable — daily to multiple times daily in research

Human data

—

None — no clinical trials

Half-life

—

Shorter than IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding

Rapid tissue uptake, limited systemic circulation.

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

Dihexa

IGF-DES

Primary mechanism

—

Indirect via muscle hypertrophy → metabolic rate elevation

Direct lipolysis

—

Minimal evidence — IGF-1 axis primarily anabolic, not lipolytic

Prostate model

—

Inhibited BPH cell proliferation when combined with vitamin D3 analogueCrescioli 2002

Context-specific anti-proliferative effect, not fat loss.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Dihexa

IGF-DES

Human safety data

None available — no human clinical trials

Absent — no human trials, all effects theoretical or extrapolated

Theoretical c-Met risks

c-Met receptor activation has been implicated in tumorigenesis; unknown cancer risk profile

—

Pre-clinical tolerability

Not systematically reported in available studies

—

Hypoglycemia risk

—

Theoretical — IGF-1 axis enhances glucose uptake

Mitogenic risk

—

Chronic IGF-1 receptor activation may promote cell proliferation, potential tumor growthCrescioli 2002

Injection site reaction

—

Expected — erythema, irritation, local swelling

Edema / Fluid retention

—

Possible via sodium retention (IGF-1 axis effect)

Unknown long-term effects

—

No chronic dosing studies in humans; endocrine, metabolic consequences unknown

Absolute Contraindications

Dihexa

·Not approved for human use — research compound only

IGF-DES

·Active malignancy or history of cancer (mitogenic risk)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no safety data)
·Hypoglycemia disorders

Relative Contraindications

Dihexa

·Theoretical contraindication: active or history of malignancy (c-Met pathway involvement in cancer)

IGF-DES

·Diabetes mellitus (unpredictable glucose effects)
·Renal or hepatic impairment (clearance unknown)
·Edema-prone conditions (heart failure, nephrotic syndrome)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Dihexa

IGF-DES

1. Human administration

No established protocol. Dihexa has not been tested in human subjects. Animal studies used various routes (typically subcutaneous or intraperitoneal in rodents) not translatable to clinical use.

Des(1-3)IGF-1 has no approved human protocol. All administration details are derived from animal or in vitro research and should not be construed as medical guidance.

2. Legal status

Pre-clinical research compound. Not approved by FDA or any regulatory authority for human use.

Sterile water or bacteriostatic water per research protocol. Gently swirl; do not shake. Store reconstituted peptide at 2–8 °C.

3. Injection site

—

Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh) or intramuscular (deltoid, vastus lateralis). Local injection to target tissue (e.g., muscle group) may enhance regional uptake.

4. Timing

—

Frequency and timing vary by research design. Post-exercise or fasted state may theoretically enhance muscle uptake.

5. Needle gauge

—

27–31G insulin syringe for subcutaneous; 25–27G for intramuscular.

6. Monitoring

—

Glucose monitoring essential (hypoglycemia risk). No established IGF-1 or safety labs for human use.

06Stack Synergy

Dihexa

— no documented stacks

IGF-DES

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

Des(1-3)IGF-1 promotes myoblast differentiation and protein synthesis, while BPC-157 enhances tissue repair, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. Both act on distinct pathways (IGF1R vs gastric pentadecapeptide mechanisms) to support muscle recovery and connective tissue integrity. Synergy is mechanistic but lacks direct co-administration studies.

Des(1-3)IGF-1: Research dose post-workout (local IM)
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ, daily or twice daily
Frequency: Daily or per research protocol
Primary benefit: Accelerated muscle repair, enhanced hypertrophy, connective tissue support

+ TB-500

Moderate

View TB-500 →

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) promotes cell migration, angiogenesis, and wound healing via actin regulation. Des(1-3)IGF-1 drives protein synthesis and myoblast proliferation. Combined, these peptides may synergistically enhance muscle recovery, repair, and hypertrophy through complementary anabolic and regenerative pathways. No direct human co-administration data.

Des(1-3)IGF-1: Research dose post-workout (local IM)
TB-500: 2–5 mg SQ, 2× weekly
Frequency: Per research cycle
Primary benefit: Muscle hypertrophy, injury recovery, vascular support