IGF-1 DES

A truncated form of IGF-1 missing the first 3 amino acids, with 10x greater potency and very short half-life for localized effects.

EmergingLimited Data

Always consult a qualified clinician

This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician

What is IGF-1 DES?

IGF-1 DES (Des 1-3 IGF-1) is a naturally occurring truncated form of IGF-1 found in the brain and other tissues. Missing the first three amino acids, it has virtually no binding to IGFBPs, making it approximately 10x more potent than native IGF-1 at the receptor. Its very short half-life (~20-30 minutes) makes it useful for localized, site-specific effects.

Why People Talk About It

Localized muscle growth at injection site

Emerging

10x potency vs native IGF-1

Moderate

Short half-life for targeted effects

Moderate

How It Works

IGF-1 DES is a concentrated, fast-acting version of the body's growth signal. Because it works so quickly and locally, it can target specific muscles when injected directly into them.

Common Questions

Safety Information

Important Safety Notes

Common Side Effects

Localized swellingHypoglycemia (less than LR3 due to short half-life)Injection site pain

Cautions

• Not FDA-approved
• Very limited human safety data
• Theoretical cancer risk
• Must be injected site-specifically

What We Don't Know

Human safety profile is poorly characterized. Most data extrapolated from IGF-1 biology.

Published Research

7 studies

Effects of IGF-1, truncated IGF-1 and the tripeptide Gly-Pro-Glu on acetylcholine release from parietal cortex of rat brain

Comparative StudyPMID: 8219036

Truncated IGF-1 exerts trophic effects on fetal brain tissue grafts

Comparative StudyPMID: 2318286

Des(1-3)IGF-1 treatment normalizes type 1 IGF receptor and phospho-Akt (Thr 308) immunoreactivity in predegenerative retina of diabetic rats

PreclinicalPMID: 12745670

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding proteins inhibit the biological activities of IGF-1 and IGF-2 but not des-(1-3)-IGF-1

PreclinicalPMID: 2539101

The effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF-2, and des-IGF-1 on neuronal loss after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in adult rats: evidence for a role for IGF binding proteins

PreclinicalPMID: 8603600

A key functional role for the insulin-like growth factor 1 N-terminal pentapeptide

PreclinicalPMID: 2730580

IGF-I has a dual effect on insulin release from isolated, perifused adult rat islets of Langerhans

PreclinicalPMID: 9135565

Always consult a qualified clinician

This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician