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MGF

A splice variant of IGF-1 produced in response to mechanical stress on muscles, promoting satellite cell activation and muscle repair.

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 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

Emerging

Enhanced muscle repair after exercise

Emerging

Localized muscle growth

Preliminary

How 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

Important Safety Notes

Common Side Effects

Injection site sorenessLocalized swelling

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 studies

Efficacy of mangiferin, kaempferol, and diosgenin on models of depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of rodent studies

Meta-AnalysisPMID: 40139421

Intraoperative graft flow profiles in coronary artery bypass surgery: A meta-analysis

Meta-AnalysisPMID: 31730721

Resistance training variable manipulations are less relevant than intrinsic biology in affecting muscle fiber hypertrophy

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 35092084

The effects of a multigrowth factor-containing cream on recovery after laser treatment: a double-blinded, randomized, split-face controlled study

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 27633651

Overload training inhibits phagocytosis and ROS generation of peritoneal macrophages: role of IGF-1 and MGF

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 22592456

Ageing is associated with diminished muscle re-growth and myogenic precursor cell expansion early after immobility-induced atrophy in human skeletal muscle

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 23732643

The effect of strength training volume on satellite cells, myogenic regulatory factors, and growth factors

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 22417199

Compliance with school F-milk and non-F milk intake in 3 to 4 and 6 to 7-year-old children

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 22779383

Coordinated increase in skeletal muscle fiber area and expression of IGF-I with resistance exercise in elderly post-operative patients

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 20031461

Serum IGF-I levels and IGF-I gene splicing in muscle of healthy young males receiving rhGH

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 18799338

Effects of different intensities of resistance exercise on regulators of myogenesis

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 19826309

Androgen receptors and testosterone in men--effects of protein ingestion, resistance exercise and fiber type

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 18455389

Effects of rehabilitative exercise on peripheral muscle TNFalpha, IL-6, IGF-I and MyoD expression in patients with COPD

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 17573449

Quantitative histology and MGF gene expression in rats following SSC exercise in vivo

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 16540833

The effect of recombinant human growth hormone and resistance training on IGF-I mRNA expression in the muscles of elderly men

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 14565994

Combined fluoride therapies. A 6-year double-blind school-based preventive dentistry study in Inverness, Scotland

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 2249406

Clinical value of intra-operative transit-time flow measurement for coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective angiography-controlled study

Clinical TrialPMID: 21095134

Effects of preexercise feeding on markers of satellite cell activation

Clinical TrialPMID: 20216467

Fluoride uptake in situ after the use of dental floss with fluoride

Clinical TrialPMID: 9487835

Muscle expressions of MGF, IGF-IEa, and myostatin in intact and hypophysectomized rats: effects of rhGH and testosterone alone or combined

Comparative StudyPMID: 18841527

The Roles of IGF-1 and MGF on Nerve Regeneration under Hypoxia- Ischemia, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Physical Trauma

ReviewPMID: 36503467

The role of mechano growth factor in chondrocytes and cartilage defects: a concise review

ReviewPMID: 37171185

Biological activity of the e domain of the IGF-1Ec as addressed by synthetic peptides

ReviewPMID: 24776619

[Expression of mechano-growth factor and its roles in tissue repairs and regeneration]

ReviewPMID: 22702061

Impairment of IGF-I gene splicing and MGF expression associated with muscle wasting

ReviewPMID: 16463438

Impairment of IGF-I gene splicing and MGF expression associated with muscle wasting

ReviewPMID: 16125110

Analyzing mast cell development and function using mice carrying mutations at W/c-kit or Sl/MGF (SCF) loci

ReviewPMID: 1280935

The emerging neuropoietic cytokine family: first CDF/LIF, CNTF and IL-6; next ONC, MGF, GCSF?

ReviewPMID: 1386269

Minireview: Mechano-growth factor: a putative product of IGF-I gene expression involved in tissue repair and regeneration

ReviewPMID: 20130113

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

PreclinicalPMID: 21354439

Mechano-growth factor reduces loss of cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction

PreclinicalPMID: 17581790

Mass spectrometric characterization of a biotechnologically produced full-length mechano growth factor (MGF) relevant for doping controls

PreclinicalPMID: 25466910

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

Quick Facts

Class
Growth Factor Splice Variant
Evidence
Emerging
Safety
Limited Data
Updated
Mar 2026
Citations
32PubMed

Also known as

Mechano Growth FactorIGF-1Ec

Tags

Growth FactorMuscle GrowthRecovery

Evidence Score

Overall Confidence30%

Clinical Trials

View Clinical Trials

Links to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.

Clinician Guided

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