Follistatin vs Pramlintide
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 →Pramlintide
Pramlintide (Symlin) is a synthetic analog of amylin, FDA-approved as an adjunct to insulin therapy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It helps control post-meal blood sugar spikes and promotes modest weight loss.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Follistatin | Pramlintide |
|---|---|---|
| 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 amylin's effects: slows gastric emptying, suppresses glucagon secretion after meals, and promotes satiety through central mechanisms. Complements insulin therapy. |
| Typical Dosage | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. | Type 1: Start 15mcg before meals, titrate to 30-60mcg. Type 2: Start 60mcg, may increase to 120mcg. Always with meal containing 30+ grams carbs or 250+ calories. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. | Subcutaneous injection immediately before major meals. Must reduce mealtime insulin by 50% when starting to prevent hypoglycemia. Never mix with insulin. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. | Nausea (very common initially), headache, anorexia, vomiting, and abdominal pain. GI effects typically improve over time. |
| Best For |