Follistatin vs Leuphasyl
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Follistatin
Follistatin is a glycoprotein that inhibits myostatin, the protein responsible for limiting muscle growth. By blocking myostatin, follistatin can theoretically allow for increased muscle development beyond natural limits.
Full details →Leuphasyl
Leuphasyl (Pentapeptide-18) is a cosmetic peptide that reduces muscle tension through a mechanism similar to enkephalins. Often combined with Syn-Ake for enhanced anti-wrinkle effects.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Follistatin | Leuphasyl |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to and neutralizes myostatin and activin, both of which are negative regulators of muscle mass. This removes the natural brake on muscle growth, allowing for enhanced hypertrophy. | Mimics enkephalin and binds to enkephalin receptors on muscle cells, reducing acetylcholine release and thereby decreasing muscle contraction intensity. |
| Typical Dosage | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. | Topical: 3-8% concentration in serums. Often used in combination products with other muscle-relaxing peptides. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. | Topical application to expression lines. Best results with consistent twice-daily use over 8+ weeks. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. | Very well-tolerated topically. No significant adverse effects reported at cosmetic concentrations. |
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