GDF-11

Areas of active research — not promised effects

Each tag links to other compounds with research into that goal. Research use only: these are areas of study, not human-use claims.

Related by research scope · open each to compare

GDF-11 is not an FDA-approved drug and holds no Investigational New Drug (IND) authorization for clinical investigation. It does not appear on the FDA-19 Category 2 restricted peptide list (fda19 flag: false), meaning it was not specifically targeted by the HHS 503A compounding restrictions. However, its absence from Category 2 does not confer any affirmative legal status for human therapeutic use. As a biologic protein it cannot be lawfully sold for human administration. Supply is legally confined to laboratory research settings.

Transparent blend · bci-1.0 · never paid-placement

Primary name

GDF-11

Length

407 aa

Origin

GDF-11 (also designated BMP-11) is an endogenous secreted homodimeric protein encoded by the GDF11 gene (UniProt O95390). It circulates at low concentrations in blood and is expressed across multiple tissues. Research-grade material is produced as a recombinant protein in E. coli or mammalian expression systems; the commercially supplied form represents the mature processed growth factor rather than the full precursor. Systemic levels decline modestly with age in mice, a finding that prompted landmark parabiosis experiments in 2013–2014 linking GDF-11 to tissue rejuvenation.

Appearance

White to off-white lyophilized powder (recombinant form)

Solubility

Typically reconstituted in sterile acidic aqueous solution (0.1–1% BSA in PBS or…

Sequence · one-letter

Stability: Recombinant GDF-11 is sensitive to repeated freeze-thaw cycles and protease degradation; stability in biological matrices (plasma, serum) is expected to be shor

Vial sizes

0.01 mg · 0.05 mg

Purity grades

>=95% by SDS-PAGE / endotoxin-tested

Salt forms

Free base (primary)

• GHS hazard class on file
• PPE & spill response
• Disposal guidance
• Not-for-human-consumption posture

How much research exists, and of what maturity — never a verdict on whether it works.

Mechanism of action

• GDF-11 signals by binding type-II activin receptors (ActRIIA/B), which then recruit and transphosphorylate type-I receptors (ALK4, ALK5, ALK7)
• The activated receptor complex phosphorylates receptor-regulated Smads (principally Smad2 and Smad3), which heterodimerize with the co-Smad Smad4, translocate to the nucleus, and regulate transcription of genes governing cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and protein synthesis
• Non-canonical signaling through TAK1 and MAPK/Ras pathways has also been described
• At physiological concentrations these pathways influence developmental patterning, cardiomyocyte size, neural progenitor activity, and muscle fiber composition; at supraphysiological concentrations the same Smad2/3 and ubiquitin-proteasome cascades are engaged in ways that promote muscle atrophy and cachexia, explaining the sharp dose-response controversy in the field

Pharmacokinetics (ADME)

Half-life

Not formally characterized for native recombinant GDF-11 in published peer-reviewed literature; estimated to be short (minutes to low hours) based on analogy with related TGF-beta superfamily proteins

Clearance

Presumed rapid proteolytic clearance; specific hepatic or renal clearance data for GDF-11 are not published

PK–PD note: No human PK data exist. Published mouse infusion studies used osmotic mini-pumps delivering continuous subcutaneous doses over days to weeks, suggesting that sustained exposure (rather than bolus phar…

Reading the evidence

• Evidence quality and gaps vary by application — see the cited grades above.
• Indexed-article counts span all evidence tiers, not only completed human trials.
• No first-party human-dosing, efficacy, or benefit claims are made here.

Key reviews & evidence-gap sources

• Zhang Y et al. Role of growth differentiation factor 11 in development, physiology and disease. Oncotarget. 2017;8(46):81604-81616. — Comprehensive signaling-pathway + disease review; documents contradictory rejuvenation findings.
• Review: The role of GDF11 in aging and skeletal muscle, cardiac and bone homeostasis (2019).
• Growth differentiation factor 11: a "rejuvenation factor" involved in regulation of age-related diseases? (2021).
• Candidate rejuvenating factor GDF11 and tissue fibrosis: friend or foe?
• Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation - GDF-11 Cognitive Vitality Report (for researchers). — Aggregator/reputable-org evidence summary; states no reports of GDF11 administration in humans.

No registered human trials found for this compound.

Status

No registered trials found

Summary (literature)

The dominant safety concern for exogenous GDF-11 is dose-dependent cachexia and striated muscle wasting. Multiple independent mouse studies demonstrated that subcutaneous or systemic delivery of recombinant GDF-11 at supraphysiological doses (approximately 0.5–5 mg/kg in rodent m…

WADA status

Likely prohibited under WADA 2026 Prohibited List S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics) as a growth factor modulator affecting …

Dominant research route: Intraperitoneal (IP) injection of recombinant GDF11 in aged mouse models

Daily i.p. injection of recombinant GDF11 in aged (22–23-month-old) mice for 28 days (hippocampus/neurogenesis); i.p. injection of GDF11 in old mice to reverse age-related cardiac hypertrophy (referenced as the Loffredo et al. 2013 Cell protocol)

Bioavailability: Systemic delivery via i.p. injection in mice; GDF11 shown to act on cerebral vasculature without crossing the blood–brain barrier in this model

Dominant route in mouse aging/rejuvenation studies; no human PK data. RUO — not a human protocol.

Intravenous injection of AAV9-GDF11PRO-Fc (gene delivery vector encoding a GDF11/myostatin-inhibiting propeptide-Fc) in mdx mice to achieve systemic expression; IV delivery of AAV9 vector transduces mouse liver

Bioavailability: IV AAV9 gene delivery transduces hepatocytes which secrete the transgene product into systemic circulation; not recombinant protein IV PK

Gene-therapy (AAV9) IV route in dystrophic mdx mice; not a recombinant GDF11 protein infusion study. RUO.

Unilateral intramuscular injection of AAV9-GDF11PRO-Fc into the hindlimb of C57BL/6J mice to evaluate localized expression

Bioavailability: Local (injected hindlimb) expression only; increased grip strength and localized muscle hypertrophy observed after 10 weeks

Localized gene-delivery IM route in normal mice; not recombinant protein IM administration. RUO.

Animal & human figures are kept visibly separate so studied animal doses are never misread as human guidance.

Sorted A–Z by vendor — never by price

GDF-11 is a niche TGF-β superfamily recombinant protein sold by established biotech reagent suppliers (ProSpec, MyBioSource, R&D Systems, Leinco, BioCrick). No historical price series retrieved; trend estimated from stable reagent-market pricing patterns. No evidence of significant price movement.

Researched storefront prices, bucketed

p25 $2412.50 · median $8000.00 · p75 $14800.00 · 7 researched vendors

Legit, COA-backed band: $2000.00–$25000.00/mg.

Value rule: don't just buy the cheapest — a price under $3/mg is a red flag. Pair price with COA and independent-test grade.

Estimated cost of research (10 mg)

Vial (best researched price)

$9058

Bacteriostatic water (generic estimate)

$6

Syringes / supplies (generic estimate)

$12

What each test proves — general guidance, plus this compound's researched purity data

Purity on the current market (researched)

Research-grade recombinant GDF-11 protein from a reagent supplier (Innovative Research) is listed at >95% purity by reducing SDS-PAGE with <1.0 EU/µg endotoxin (LAL). No independent third-party (Janoshik/MZ Biolabs) purity data specific to GDF-11 peptide vials was located in public databases retrieved.

Independent labs cited for this compound

No GDF-11-specific FDA recalls, enforcement actions, or counterfeit alerts were found in the sources retrieved. The peptide market broadly is subject to FDA Import Alert 66-41 (Detention Without Physical Examination of Unapproved New Drugs) and peptide-vendor warning letters, but none name GDF-11 specifically.

Buyer red-flag checklist

• GDF-11 is ~90% structurally similar to myostatin (GDF-8); original anti-aging studies used non-selective reagents that actually measured myostatin, creating a documented identity-confusion risk that carries over to sourcing/labeling.
• HPLC purity cannot confirm peptide sequence identity — a peptide missing one amino acid may appear ~99% pure; mass spectrometry is required for identity confirmation, and many budget vendors omit it.
• No GDF-11-specific independent lab test (Janoshik/MZ Biolabs) was found in public databases, so vendor COAs for GDF-11 are largely unverifiable by third parties.
• Aggregate peptide-market data shows high failure rates: 43% of peptides failed label purity claims (Janoshik 2024); Tier 3–4 vendors tested at 71–91% purity vs. 99%+ claims, with heavy-metal (lead, mercury) and endotoxin contamination in some samples.
• GDF-11 is sold primarily through unregulated 'research use only' channels with no FDA-approved drug product; vendors making anti-aging or regenerative claims risk classification as unapproved new drugs under IA 66-41.

GMP vs research-grade: the chemistry (SPPS + HPLC + MS) is identical — the difference is the quality system.

Underdosing / mislabeling: Aggregate, not GDF-11-specific: Janoshik Analytical reported that 43% of peptides tested in 2024 failed to meet label purity claims; a 2026 independent investigation (The Peptide List, using MZ Biolabs) reproduced similar patterns with Tier 3–4 vendors showing 71–91% purity against 99%+ claims, and one Tier 4 'semaglutide' sample being an entirely different compound (mass spec 2847 Da). ACS Lab Test reports 15–20% of supplier CoAs show significant discrepancies, with purity overstatement (claimed 99%, actual 88–94%) the most common issue. No GDF-11-specific underdosing prevalence figure is available.

• FDA Import Alert 66-41 — 'Detention Without Physical Examination of Unapproved New Drugs Promoted In The U.S.' (published 06/24/2026). Authorizes DWPE of unapproved new drug products from firms on the Red List. Applies broadly to peptides marketed with disease/structure-function claims; not GDF-11-specific. A separate alert, 66-80, targets GLP-1 APIs specifically and does not cover GDF-11.66-41
• An RUO label is not an import exemption — CBP judges actual intended use.
• Lyophilized powder is ambient-stable in transit; temperature control needed for > 7-day transit.
• US-warehouse vendors dodge import scrutiny — they cost more but ship more reliably.

Every item dated & sourced

Not specifically named on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List; may fall under S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, and Related Substances) by analogy as a growth factor. The WADA list is non-exhaustive and athletes are strictly liable.

No granted patents identified in current seed. Composition-of-matter coverage is limited given the peptide's synthetic origin.

• IACUC / IRB research context
• RUO buyer responsibilities & documentation
• Veterinary / alternative-use where lawful
• Jurisdiction-aware "who may lawfully obtain"

What people discuss

Reported concerns — discussion, not established effects

Reading caveats

• self-experimentation / anecdotal small-n reports
• contested foundational science (rejuvenation vs pro-aging)
• vendor marketing overlap with anti-aging narrative
• dose-preparation variability across self-reporters

Manually researched from reddit, youtube— theme weights are research estimates, not live counts; aggregated & de-identified. No individual posts, quotes, or usernames are ever shown.

Relative research / market volume — populated once the activity stream is wired

Inline tooltips for lyophilized, RUO, EU/mg, SPPS, 503A and more.

Toggle plain-language ↔ scientific in the header.

• How to read a COA
• Free base vs acetate
• Understanding evidence grades

Endogenous TGF-beta superfamily protein studied in rodent models for age-related cardiac, muscle, and neural biology; controversial rejuvenation candidate. Approximately 98 articles are indexed (literature last scanned 2026-05-29). US regulatory status: Research use only; not FDA-approved; not listed in FDA 503A/503B compounding frameworks. Research use only.

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