Side-by-side · Research reference

IGF-DESvsPancragen

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

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED8/60 cited

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED23/39 cited

IGF-DES

IGF-1 Analogue · Truncated N-Terminal

~10×Potency vs IGF-1

ReducedIGFBP binding

ResearchStatus

Injection (local or systemic) · Research protocols onlyBredehöft 2008

Pancragen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson School

50 μgPrimate doseGoncharova 2014

10 daysTreatment cycleGoncharova 2015

3+ weeksEffect persistenceGoncharova 2014

IM · 10-day cycleGoncharova 2014

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

IGF-DES

Pancragen

Primary target

IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R)Shields 2007

Pancreatic acinar and islet cell differentiation pathwaysKhavinson 2013

Pathway

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

Transcription factor activation → Pdx1/Pax6/Pax4/Ptf1a/Foxa2/NKx2.2 upregulation → Cell differentiationKhavinson 2013

Downstream effect

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

Enhanced pancreatic beta-cell function, normalized insulin/C-peptide dynamics, improved glucose clearanceGoncharova 2014

Feedback intact?

Unknown — no human endocrine feedback data

Yes — preserves physiological glucose-insulin response

Origin

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

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from pancreatic tissue extracts (Khavinson bioregulator methodology)

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

IGF-DES

Pancragen

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.

IntramuscularGoncharova 2015

Frequency

Variable — daily to multiple times daily in research

Once daily for 10 daysGoncharova 2014

Evidence basis

Animal models + in vitro only

Non-human primate RCT, in vitro cell cultureGoncharova 2015 Khavinson 2013

Human data

None — no clinical trials

—

Half-life

Shorter than IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding

Rapid tissue uptake, limited systemic circulation.

—

Primate dose (rhesus macaque)

—

50 μg / animal / dayGoncharova 2014

20–25-year-old females, 10-day IM protocol.

Effective concentration (in vitro)

—

0.05 ng/mLZakutskiĭ 2006

Organotypic tissue culture, both young and aged rat explants.

Treatment cycle

—

10-day course, effects persist 3+ weeks post-withdrawalGoncharova 2014

Diabetes model

—

STZ-induced diabetes (rat)

Evaluated via metabolic markers characterizing apoptosis.

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

IGF-DES

Pancragen

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

IGF-DES

Pancragen

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)

—

Human safety data

Absent — no human trials, all effects theoretical or extrapolated

No published human trials; clinical use limited to Russian gerontology protocols

Unknown long-term effects

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

—

Reported adverse events

—

None documented in primate studies

Tolerability

—

Well-tolerated in aged rhesus monkeys (n=9)Goncharova 2015

Absolute Contraindications

IGF-DES

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

Pancragen

—

Relative Contraindications

IGF-DES

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

Pancragen

·Active pancreatic malignancy (proliferation marker upregulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

IGF-DES

Pancragen

1. Research context only

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.

Lyophilised tetrapeptide reconstituted in sterile saline or water per manufacturer protocol. Concentration not specified in literature.

2. Reconstitution (if lyophilized)

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

Intramuscular injection. Primate studies used daily IM dosing for 10 consecutive days.Goncharova 2015

3. Injection site

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

No specific timing constraints documented. Administered once daily in primate protocols.

4. Timing

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

10-day treatment course. Restorative effects on pancreatic function persist for at least 3 weeks post-discontinuation.Goncharova 2014

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

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

Pancragen

— no documented stacks