Side-by-side · Research reference

DihexavsMGF

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-REVIEWED14/55 cited

Dihexa

Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical

Pre-clinicalDevelopment stage

Rodent onlyEvidence basisBenoist 2014

HGF/c-MetTarget systemWright 2015

Not established — animal studies only

MGF

IGF-1Ec Splice Variant · Muscle-Specific

IGF-1EcSplice variantArmakolas 2016

24-AASynthetic E-domain

Animal onlyHuman evidence

SQ · Research context only

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Dihexa

MGF

Primary target

c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)

Satellite cells (Pax7+) in skeletal muscleMoore 2018

Pathway

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

Mechanical stress → IGF-1Ec mRNA upregulation → Local E-domain peptide release → Satellite cell activation

Downstream effect

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

Satellite cell proliferation, myoblast differentiation, muscle fiber repair

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

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

Alternative splicing of IGF-1 gene (exons 4-6) produces IGF-1Ec precursor; E-domain cleaved post-translationallyArmakolas 2016 Vassilakos 2017

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Dihexa

MGF

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

—

Synthetic peptide

—

24-amino-acid E-domain sequence

Corresponds to human IGF-1Ec exons 4-6 region.

Rodent cardiac model

—

200 μg/kg via peptide-eluting microstructures

Post-MI injection; improved ejection fraction by 8 weeks.

Acute delivery (mouse MI)

—

Single bolus within 12 hrs post-infarctionShioura 2014

Delayed decompensation; no human protocol established.

Human evidence

—

None — no published clinical trials

All dosing extrapolated from animal models.

Detection in doping

—

Full-length MGF detected via LC-MS in illicit productsThevis 2014

WADA-prohibited since 2005; no therapeutic indication.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Dihexa

MGF

Human safety data

None available — no human clinical trials

None — no clinical trials published

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

—

Theoretical IGF-1 axis risk

—

Chronic IGF-1Ec overexpression linked to cancer progression (prostate, colorectal, breast)

Tumor promotion

—

IGF-1Ec overexpressed in osteosarcoma, colorectal polyps with dysplasia, endometrial cancer

Antibody development

—

Unknown — no longitudinal human exposure data

Local injection reaction

—

Presumed similar to other peptides (erythema, induration) — no direct evidence

Dysregulated expression with age

—

Older adults (70+ yrs) show blunted IGF-1Ec response post-exercise vs youngMoore 2018

Absolute Contraindications

Dihexa

·Not approved for human use — research compound only

MGF

·Active malignancy or history of IGF-1-sensitive cancers (prostate, colorectal, breast, osteosarcoma)
·No established therapeutic use — investigational only

Relative Contraindications

Dihexa

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

MGF

·Family history of IGF-1-axis malignancies
·Use outside research setting

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Dihexa

MGF

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.

MGF (E-domain peptide) has no approved clinical protocol. All published data derive from animal models or in vitro experiments.

2. Legal status

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

Commercially available MGF corresponds to the 24-amino-acid human E-domain (hEc). Rodent E-domain (Eb) is structurally distinct and not interchangeable.

3. Animal delivery models

—

Rodent studies used peptide-eluting polymeric microstructures (cardiac) or direct intramuscular injection. Routes and doses non-translatable to humans.Peña 2015 Shioura 2014

4. WADA prohibition

—

MGF peptides prohibited in sport since 2005. Detection via LC-MS established for full-length MGF products.Thevis 2014

5. Research context only

—

Any human use falls outside approved medical practice and regulatory frameworks. No safety or efficacy data exist.

06Stack Synergy

Dihexa

— no documented stacks

MGF

+ BPC-157

Multi-pathway

View BPC-157 →

MGF activates satellite cells for muscle fiber repair; BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and tendon healing via distinct pathways (VEGF, FAK, integrin signaling). Theoretical synergy in post-injury contexts combines myogenic (MGF) and stromal (BPC-157) repair mechanisms. Both lack human validation.

MGF: No established dose
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ near injury site
Context: Animal models only
Primary benefit: Theoretical multi-tissue repair (muscle + tendon/ligament)

+ TB-500

Moderate

View TB-500 →

TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment) enhances actin polymerization, cell migration, and angiogenesis—complementary to MGF satellite cell activation. Both upregulated post-injury; combined use presumed additive for muscle regeneration in preclinical models.

MGF: No established dose
TB-500: 2–5 mg SQ weekly
Context: Animal models only
Primary benefit: Satellite cell activation + enhanced migration/angiogenesis