IGF-1 DES

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.

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DES(1-3)IGF-1 is not an FDA-approved drug and has not been evaluated under an active IND. It is not listed on the FDA 503A Category 2 bulk drug substances list and was not among the 12 peptides removed from that list in April 2026, nor among the seven under PCAC review at the July 23–24, 2026 meeting (docket FDA-2025-N-6895). It may be sold as a research chemical only; it may not be compounded for human administration or marketed with therapeutic claims.

Transparent blend · bci-1.0 · never paid-placement

Primary name

IGF-1 DES

Length

195 aa

Origin

DES(1-3)IGF-1 is a naturally occurring N-terminal tripeptide-truncated form of human IGF-1 (UniProt P05019). The removal of Gly-Pro-Glu from the N-terminus markedly reduces binding affinity for circulating IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), particularly IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3, while retaining full IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) engagement. It is isolated from bovine colostrum and from fetal brain tissue, and is also produced recombinantly for research use.

Appearance

White to off-white lyophilized powder

Solubility

Soluble in dilute acetic acid (0.1–1% v/v); sparingly soluble in water alone

Sequence · one-letter

Stability: Susceptible to protease degradation in biological fluids; maintain cold chain. Avoid exposure to oxidizing agents.

Vial sizes

0.1 mg · 0.5 mg

Purity grades

≥95% HPLC / ≥98% HPLC

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

• DES(1-3)IGF-1 binds the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) tyrosine kinase with potency comparable to or slightly exceeding that of full-length IGF-1, activating downstream PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK cascades that drive cell survival, proliferation, and protein synthesis
• Because the N-terminal tripeptide is the primary IGFBP interaction site, the truncated form circulates largely unbound in local tissue environments, delivering an amplified receptor signal relative to equivalent molar doses of native IGF-1
• Early research demonstrated 5–10-fold greater in vitro mitogenic potency in some cell lines compared to IGF-1, attributed to this reduced sequestration
• In animal models the peptide has been studied for roles in skeletal muscle hypertrophy, bone formation, and neuronal survival, particularly in contexts where endogenous IGFBP concentrations are elevated

Pharmacokinetics (ADME)

Half-life

Approximately 20–30 minutes (plasma, estimated from animal studies); substantially shorter than IGF-1 LR3

Clearance

Rapid proteolytic clearance; IGFBP-independent elimination kinetics inferred from blood-brain barrier transport studies

PK–PD note: Short plasma half-life favors peri-injection local tissue exposure; systemic distribution is limited compared to longer-acting IGF-1 analogs. PK data in humans are absent; figures derive from rodent a…

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

• Ballard FJ, Wallace JC, Francis GL, Read LC, Tomas FM. Des(1-3)IGF-I: a truncated form of insulin-like growth factor-I. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 1996;28(10):1085-7. PMID: 8930132 — Anchoring review; establishes ~10-fold potency increase, reduced IGFBP binding mechanism, notes clinical opportunities not yet evaluated
• Dominikowski AD, Rękoś Z, Olejarz M, Szczepanek-Parulska E, Domin R, RuchaŁa M. The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis. Front Endocrinol. 2026;17. doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1822475 — 2026 systematic review of GH-IGF1 axis peptides including IGF-1 analogues; literature search PubMed/Google Scholar/Cochrane Jan 1989-Jan 2026
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Its Monitoring in Medical Diagnostic and in Sports. PMC7913862 — Overview of IGF network including recombinant IGF-1 and derivatives; covers IGFBP interactions relevant to DES variant

No registered human trials found for this compound.

Status

No registered trials found

Summary (literature)

No controlled human safety data are available for DES(1-3)IGF-1. Based on its mechanism, risks expected to parallel those of IGF-1 class peptides include hypoglycemia (IGF-1R-mediated insulin-like glucose uptake), potential mitogenic stimulation of pre-existing neoplastic cells, …

WADA status

Prohibited — WADA 2026 Prohibited List Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics) prohibits IGF-1 and its analogs both in- a…

Dominant research route: Subcutaneous (osmotic pump infusion in rats and pigs)

Subcutaneous infusion via osmotic pumps in rats (dexamethasone-treated, gut-resection models) and neonatal/55 kg pigs

Bioavailability: In vivo animal studies administered des(1-3)IGF-I by subcutaneous osmotic infusion (e.g., 0.96 mg/kg/day in rats); selective anabolic effects were evident in gut tissues and the analogue was more potent than equimolar IGF-I.

Primary published route for des(1-3)IGF-I is subcutaneous infusion in rodent/porcine models; no human PK trial located.

No peer-reviewed PK study of IM des(1-3)IGF-I located; route appears only in community/bodybuilding guidance

Bioavailability: Community sources describe IM injection into target muscle to exploit short half-life for localized effect; no controlled bioavailability data.

Aggregate community route; not supported by retrieved primary literature. Short 20-30 min half-life cited as rationale for site-specific IM use.

No oral des(1-3)IGF-I study located; parent IGF-I GI stability assessed in adult rat GI tract and simulated gastric/intestinal juice

Bioavailability: Pure IGF-I concentration decreases rapidly in simulated gastrointestinal juice due to proteolysis in the upper gut; casein and protease inhibitors limit degradation. DES-specific oral stability not directly tested in retrieved sources.

Oral-stability (not oral-absorption) data drawn from native IGF-I; DES is expected to be similarly protease-labile but unconfirmed.

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

Weekly median $/mg from the live vendor crawl.

Researched storefront prices, bucketed

p25 $34.95 · median $60.18 · p75 $114.95 · 7 researched vendors

Legit, COA-backed band: $30.00–$120.00/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)

$106

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)

Vendor-claimed purity for IGF-1 DES is typically ≥98–99% by HPLC. Independent testing guidance suggests pharmaceutical-grade should be 98–99%+, research-grade 95–98% acceptable, below 95% suggests poor synthesis or degradation, and below 90% likely indicates underdosing or heavy contamination. Aggregate Janoshik data (all peptides, 2024) found 43% of tested samples failed to meet label purity claims, with lower-tier vendors showing 71–91% purity despite claiming 99%+.

Independent labs cited for this compound

No FDA recalls or market withdrawals specific to IGF-1 DES (Des(1-3) IGF-1) were found in the sources retrieved. IGF-1 DES has no FDA-approved drug application, so it does not appear in FDA recall databases as a named product.

Buyer red-flag checklist

• No FDA-approved drug application exists for IGF-1 DES; any marketing for human use violates the FD&C Act section 505(a).
• WADA prohibits all IGF-1 analogues including Des(1-3) IGF-1 under S2 at all times — athletes face sanctions including competition bans.
• Mislabeling risk: IGF-1 DES may be substituted with native IGF-1 or IGF-1 LR3 due to structural similarity, as noted by community testing sources.
• No human clinical trials, pharmacokinetic studies, or formal toxicology assessments exist for IGF-1 DES.
• Vendor HPLC purity results are highly inconsistent across suppliers; independent COA verification (Janoshik or Colmaric) recommended before use.
• USADA warns IGF-1 products may contain no active peptide, diluted substance, or harmful contaminants.
• Janoshik aggregate data (2024): 43% of gray-market peptides failed label purity claims; lower-tier vendors tested 71–91% despite 99%+ claims.
• Short half-life (~20–30 min) and lyophilized format increase risk of degradation if storage conditions are not maintained.

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

Underdosing / mislabeling: No IGF-1 DES-specific underdosing prevalence was found from independent lab tests. Aggregate Janoshik Analytical data across all peptides in 2024 showed a 43% failure rate against label purity claims, with lower-tier vendors testing at 71–91% purity despite 99%+ claims. Community sources note IGF-1 DES is particularly susceptible to mislabeling with native IGF-1 or IGF-1 LR3 due to structural similarity.

• Detention Without Physical Examination of Unapproved New Drugs Promoted In The U.S. Revised 05/19/2026. Authorizes DWPE of unapproved new drug products from firms on the Red List. Peptides marketed as research chemicals with human-use claims fall within scope. IGF-1 DES has no FDA-approved application (section 505(a) FD&C Act).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

Prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) under S2 — Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics. All forms of exogenous IGF-1, including analogues such as Des(1-3) IGF-1, are banned.

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-report bias (uncontrolled anecdotes)
• vendor-affiliated content / sponsored reviews
• dose-optimization focus (community normalizes protocol math)
• survivorship bias (negative-outcome users less likely to post)
• bro-science / mechanistic speculation presented as fact

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

N-terminally truncated IGF-1 variant with reduced IGFBP binding and heightened local receptor potency; studied in muscle, bone, and neural tissue models. Approximately 6 articles are indexed (literature last scanned 2026-05-29). US regulatory status: Research use only; not FDA-approved; not on 503A Category 2 list. Research use only.

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