MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) vs PEG-MGF
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 that is produced locally in muscle tissue in response to mechanical stress. The non-PEGylated form has a very short half-life.
Full details →PEG-MGF
PEG-MGF (PEGylated Mechano Growth Factor) is a variant of IGF-1 that is produced in response to muscle damage. PEGylation extends its half-life from minutes to several hours, making it practical for use.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) | PEG-MGF |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 400 mcg–1.2 mg | 400 mcg–1.2 mg |
| Frequency | Less than daily | Less than daily |
| Cycle Length | 4–6 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Route | intramuscular | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Activates muscle satellite cells (stem cells) and promotes their proliferation without differentiation, priming them for fusion with existing muscle fibers during repair and growth. | Activates muscle satellite cells (stem cells) and promotes their fusion to existing muscle fibers for repair and growth. MGF is produced naturally in response to mechanical stress on muscles. |
| Typical Dosage | Due to extremely short half-life (minutes), typical protocols use 100-200mcg injected directly into target muscles immediately post-workout. | Research protocols typically use 200-400mcg injected into targeted muscle groups 2-3 times weekly, usually post-workout. |
| Administration | Intramuscular injection into trained muscles within minutes of workout completion. Must be used immediately after reconstitution due to instability. | Intramuscular injection, ideally into muscles trained that day. Best administered post-workout when satellite cell activation is relevant. |
| Side Effects | Injection site soreness, potential hypoglycemia, localized swelling. Short half-life limits systemic effects. | Injection site soreness, potential hypoglycemia, and localized swelling. Generally well-tolerated. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor), PEG-MGF are both commonly used for:
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
| Goal | MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) | PEG-MGF |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Growth | medium | medium |
| Recovery & Healing | medium | medium |
Key Studies
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
- The role of mechano growth factor in chondrocytes and cartilage defects: a concise review.
Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica, 2023
- Pretreatment with mechano growth factor E peptide attenuates osteoarthritis through improving cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in chondrocytes under severe hypoxia.
International immunopharmacology, 2021
- Mechano growth factor interacts with nucleolin to protect against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity.
Experimental neurology, 2020
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