Follistatin vs LL-37 (Cathelicidin)
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 →LL-37 (Cathelicidin)
LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide. It plays crucial roles in innate immunity and has shown diverse biological activities including antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and wound healing properties.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Follistatin | LL-37 (Cathelicidin) |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Disrupts bacterial membranes, neutralizes endotoxins, modulates immune cell function, and promotes wound healing. Has both direct antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. |
| Typical Dosage | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. | Research protocols vary widely. Typical ranges: 50-200mcg administered subcutaneously 2-3 times weekly. Some protocols use higher doses for acute infections. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. | Subcutaneous injection. Can cause significant injection site reactions. Often used in conjunction with other immune-supporting protocols. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. | Injection site pain and reactions are common. May cause flu-like symptoms, temporary fatigue, or immune activation responses. |
| Best For |
Key Differences
Unique to Follistatin:
Unique to LL-37 (Cathelicidin):
Detailed Analysis
Follistatin and LL-37 (Cathelicidin) are used for different purposes and have limited overlap in their applications.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Follistatin for Muscle Growth. Choose LL-37 (Cathelicidin) for Recovery & Healing.