Skip to content
Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides81 plates · MIT
← CataloguePlate 56 of 81
56Plate 56Reviewed 2026-04-27

PEG-MGF

IGF-1 Splice Variant

also known as Pegylated Mechano Growth Factor, PEG-Mechano Growth Factor, IGF-1Ec-PEG

PEGylated variant of mechano growth factor (MGF / IGF-1Ec), a splice variant of IGF-1 upregulated by mechanical loading. Polyethylene glycol conjugation extends plasma half-life from ~7 minutes (native MGF) to approximately 2 hours. Research application targets satellite cell activation, muscle repair, and post-exercise recovery. Not FDA-approved; limited to preclinical and mechanistic studies.

§ I

At a glance

Half-life (PEG)
~2 hr
Native MGF t½
~7 min
Splice variant
IGF-1Ec
Route

SQ · Research Protocol

§ II

Mechanism

Edit ↗

Primary target — IGF-1 receptor on muscle satellite cells and myocytes.

Pathway — IGF-1R → PI3K/Akt → mTOR activation → Satellite cell proliferation & myoblast fusion.

Downstream effect — Satellite cell activation, muscle fiber repair, localized hypertrophy signaling.

Origin — IGF-1Ec splice variant (exon 4–6) conjugated to polyethylene glycol for extended circulation.

Feedback intact — Partially bypassed — does not require hepatic IGF-1 synthesis.

§ III

Dosage

Protocols described in the cited literature; not medical advice.

Edit ↗
ParameterValue
Research dose range100–200 mcgExtrapolated from animal models; no validated human protocols.
FrequencyPost-training or dailyTiming to match endogenous MGF pulse post-exercise.
Half-life~2 hours (PEGylated)Native MGF: ~7 min; PEGylation extends circulation.
Evidence basisAnimal / mechanistic
ReconstitutionSterile bacteriostatic waterLyophilized form; store reconstituted at 2–8 °C.
PEG molecular weightTypically 5–30 kDaHigher MW = longer t½, greater steric hindrance.
TimingWithin 30–60 min post-trainingAligns with endogenous MGF window.
§ III · b

Reconstitution

A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.

Inputs
mg
mL
mcg
The calculator does pure mass-to-volume math. It does not recommend a dose. Refer to PEG-MGF's cited literature for protocol specifics.
Volumetric outputFig. C — reconstitution math
Volume per dose
0.100mL
10.0 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
Concentration
2500
mcg per mL
Doses per vial
20
at this dose
§ IV

Evidence

Edit ↗
Strength
15/100
animal mechanistic

IGF-1 axis implicated in metabolic regulation; PEG-MGF primarily studied for muscle repair, not adipose targeting

OutcomeFinding
Primary targetMuscle tissue (satellite cells, myocytes) — not adipose-specific
Indirect metabolic effectIGF-1 signaling may modulate insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism [ren-2015]Mechanism distinct from direct lipolytic peptides.
Body compositionLean mass preservation / hypertrophy focus
Fat loss evidenceNo direct human or animal RCT data for PEG-MGF-driven fat reduction
§ V

Adverse events

Severities follow the FDA / CTCAE convention.

Edit ↗
Injection site reactionmild
Erythema, induration (common with SQ peptides)
Hypoglycemia riskmoderate
IGF-1 axis activation can lower blood glucose
IGF-1R overstimulationmoderate
Theoretical risk of aberrant cell proliferation with chronic supraphysiological exposure
Fluid retentionmild
Possible with IGF-1 pathway activation (dose-dependent)
PEG accumulationmoderate
Chronic high-dose PEGylated proteins may accumulate in tissues; clearance slower in renal impairment
Antibody formationmoderate
PEGylated proteins can elicit anti-PEG antibodies (neutralizing potential unknown)
Cancer risksevere
IGF-1 axis stimulation contraindicated in active malignancy
Human safety datasevere
Absent — no published human trials for PEG-MGF
Absolute contraindications
  • Active malignancy or history of cancer (IGF-1R proliferative signaling)
  • Known hypersensitivity to PEGylated compounds
  • Pregnancy / lactation (no reproductive toxicity data)
Relative contraindications
  • Diabetes (monitor glucose closely)
  • Renal impairment (PEG clearance reduced)
  • Retinopathy (IGF-1 axis effects on vascular proliferation)
§ VI

Administration

Edit ↗
  1. 01
    Reconstitution

    Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to lyophilized vial. Swirl gently — do not shake. Solution should be clear to slightly opalescent.

  2. 02
    Injection site

    Subcutaneous — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites to avoid lipodystrophy. Avoid areas with scar tissue or active inflammation.

  3. 03
    Timing

    Post-training preferred (within 30–60 min) to align with endogenous MGF expression window. Alternatively, daily morning dose on non-training days.

  4. 04
    Storage

    Lyophilized: room temperature, light-protected, desiccated. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 14–21 days.

  5. 05
    Needle

    29–31G insulin syringe, 8–12 mm length. Pinch skin fold, insert at 45° angle for subcutaneous delivery.

§ VII

Synergies

Edit ↗
moderate synergy
Deterministic 12-node hex coat-of-arms fingerprint for Peg Mgf, generated from the slug hash. Decorative; the same slug always produces the same motif.+Deterministic 12-node hex coat-of-arms fingerprint for Bpc 157, generated from the slug hash. Decorative; the same slug always produces the same motif.
PEG-MGF + BPC-157

BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tendon/ligament repair via VEGF and growth factor modulation, while PEG-MGF targets satellite cell activation and myocyte proliferation. Complementary pathways for comprehensive tissue repair post-injury or intensive training. BPC-157's systemic stability and oral bioavailability contrast with PEG-MGF's localized IGF-1R signaling.

Primary benefit — Accelerated muscle and connective tissue repair, enhanced recovery
strong synergy
Deterministic 12-node hex coat-of-arms fingerprint for Peg Mgf, generated from the slug hash. Decorative; the same slug always produces the same motif.+Deterministic 12-node hex coat-of-arms fingerprint for Tb 500, generated from the slug hash. Decorative; the same slug always produces the same motif.
PEG-MGF + TB-500

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) upregulates actin polymerization, cell migration, and anti-inflammatory pathways, while PEG-MGF drives satellite cell proliferation via IGF-1R/mTOR. Synergistic for muscle regeneration: TB-500 mobilizes progenitor cells, PEG-MGF stimulates their differentiation into myocytes. Both have overlapping but distinct repair cascades.

Primary benefit — Maximal satellite cell recruitment and myogenic differentiation, injury repair
Appendix

Sources

3%

of 69 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.

  1. [braun-2018]
    Braun 2018Bioresponsive release of insulin-like growth factor-I from its PEGylated conjugate.
    journal, 2018
  2. [ren-2015]
    Ren 2015The insulin-like growth factor I system: physiological and pathophysiological implication in cardiovascular diseases associated with metabolic syndrome.
    journal, 2015
Plate composed 2026-04-27 · maturity human-reviewed · schema v1 · Contributors: peptidesdb-core · 67 fields uncited — open contributions