MGF
A splice variant of IGF-1 produced in response to mechanical stress on muscles, promoting satellite cell activation and muscle repair.
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This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
What is MGF?
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 (specifically the Ec isoform in humans) that is produced locally in muscle tissue in response to mechanical loading (exercise). It activates muscle satellite (stem) cells, initiating muscle repair and growth. Synthetic MGF has a very short half-life of minutes.
Why People Talk About It
Muscle satellite cell activation
EmergingEnhanced muscle repair after exercise
EmergingLocalized muscle growth
PreliminaryHow It Works
When you exercise hard, your muscles naturally produce MGF to activate stem cells that repair and grow muscle tissue. Synthetic MGF aims to amplify this natural repair signal.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • Not FDA-approved
- • Very limited human data
- • Extremely short half-life limits practical use
- • Must be injected immediately post-workout for best effect
What We Don't Know
Human safety profile is essentially unknown. Theoretical concerns about uncontrolled satellite cell activation.
Published Research
32 studiesEfficacy of mangiferin, kaempferol, and diosgenin on models of depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of rodent studies
Intraoperative graft flow profiles in coronary artery bypass surgery: A meta-analysis
Resistance training variable manipulations are less relevant than intrinsic biology in affecting muscle fiber hypertrophy
The effects of a multigrowth factor-containing cream on recovery after laser treatment: a double-blinded, randomized, split-face controlled study
Overload training inhibits phagocytosis and ROS generation of peritoneal macrophages: role of IGF-1 and MGF
Ageing is associated with diminished muscle re-growth and myogenic precursor cell expansion early after immobility-induced atrophy in human skeletal muscle
The effect of strength training volume on satellite cells, myogenic regulatory factors, and growth factors
Compliance with school F-milk and non-F milk intake in 3 to 4 and 6 to 7-year-old children
Coordinated increase in skeletal muscle fiber area and expression of IGF-I with resistance exercise in elderly post-operative patients
Serum IGF-I levels and IGF-I gene splicing in muscle of healthy young males receiving rhGH
Effects of different intensities of resistance exercise on regulators of myogenesis
Androgen receptors and testosterone in men--effects of protein ingestion, resistance exercise and fiber type
Effects of rehabilitative exercise on peripheral muscle TNFalpha, IL-6, IGF-I and MyoD expression in patients with COPD
Quantitative histology and MGF gene expression in rats following SSC exercise in vivo
The effect of recombinant human growth hormone and resistance training on IGF-I mRNA expression in the muscles of elderly men
Combined fluoride therapies. A 6-year double-blind school-based preventive dentistry study in Inverness, Scotland
Clinical value of intra-operative transit-time flow measurement for coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective angiography-controlled study
Effects of preexercise feeding on markers of satellite cell activation
Fluoride uptake in situ after the use of dental floss with fluoride
Muscle expressions of MGF, IGF-IEa, and myostatin in intact and hypophysectomized rats: effects of rhGH and testosterone alone or combined
The Roles of IGF-1 and MGF on Nerve Regeneration under Hypoxia- Ischemia, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Physical Trauma
The role of mechano growth factor in chondrocytes and cartilage defects: a concise review
Biological activity of the e domain of the IGF-1Ec as addressed by synthetic peptides
[Expression of mechano-growth factor and its roles in tissue repairs and regeneration]
Impairment of IGF-I gene splicing and MGF expression associated with muscle wasting
Impairment of IGF-I gene splicing and MGF expression associated with muscle wasting
Analyzing mast cell development and function using mice carrying mutations at W/c-kit or Sl/MGF (SCF) loci
The emerging neuropoietic cytokine family: first CDF/LIF, CNTF and IL-6; next ONC, MGF, GCSF?
Minireview: Mechano-growth factor: a putative product of IGF-I gene expression involved in tissue repair and regeneration
Mechano Growth Factor E peptide (MGF-E), derived from an isoform of IGF-1, activates human muscle progenitor cells and induces an increase in their fusion potential at different ages
Mechano-growth factor reduces loss of cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction
Mass spectrometric characterization of a biotechnologically produced full-length mechano growth factor (MGF) relevant for doping controls
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
Related Peptides
PEG-MGF
PreliminaryA PEGylated version of MGF with extended half-life for systemic muscle growth and recovery effects.
IGF-1 LR3
EmergingA modified version of IGF-1 with extended half-life and reduced IGF binding protein affinity, used for muscle growth.
IGF-1 DES
EmergingA truncated form of IGF-1 missing the first 3 amino acids, with 10x greater potency and very short half-life for localized effects.
Quick Facts
- Class
- Growth Factor Splice Variant
- Evidence
- Emerging
- Safety
- Limited Data
- Updated
- Mar 2026
- Citations
- 32PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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