Growth ⏱ Half-life: Very short — minutes. PEG-MGF extends this to several days. Preclinical

MGF

Mechano Growth Factor (IGF-1Ec)

Updated March 15, 2026

Evidence at a Glance

Regulatory statusPreclinical
No human clinical trials; not approved for any use. Evidence is limited to in-vitro and animal research, with conflicting results.
Human evidenceNone
Animal evidenceLimited

MGF (mechano growth factor, an IGF-1 splice variant) has been studied only in cell and animal models with mixed results, and no human clinical trials have been conducted.

What the research does not support

  • No human trials have tested whether injected MGF builds muscle or heals injury in people.
  • Some laboratory studies found no effect on human muscle cells at all.
  • It is not an approved therapy for muscle wasting, injury recovery, or aging.
  • It is not shown to outperform ordinary training and nutrition for muscle growth.
Half-Life
Very short — minutes. PEG-MGF extends this to several days.
Mol. Weight
~2800 g/mol

What is MGF?

Mechano Growth Factor is the locally-acting splice variant of IGF-1 that the body produces specifically in response to mechanical stress on muscle tissue. It represents the initial repair signal that activates dormant muscle stem cells.

Research Applications

Satellite cell activation, local muscle repair, exercise recovery signaling, and muscle regeneration models.

Dosage Information (Research Use)

Research protocols: 100-200 mcg injected locally near target tissue, post-training. Research use only.

Reconstitution & Handling

Standard BAC water reconstitution. Use promptly after reconstitution due to instability.

Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics

Very short — minutes. PEG-MGF extends this to several days.

Reported Observations in Literature

Limited data. Local injection site reactions possible.

Key Research References

  • Yang SY, Goldspink G. “Different roles of the IGF-I Ec peptide (MGF) and mature IGF-I in myoblast proliferation and differentiation.” FEBS Lett. 2002

How MGF Works

MGF is the Ec splice variant of IGF-1, produced locally in muscle tissue after mechanical loading (exercise, injury). It activates muscle satellite cells (stem cells), initiating repair and hypertrophy processes. Its action is primarily local and paracrine rather than systemic.

Research Findings

Very short half-life limits systemic utility. PEG-MGF (pegylated version) extends activity. Best studied as a local injection near target tissue.

Dosage & Administration

Research protocols: 100-200 mcg injected locally near target tissue, post-training. Research use only.

Safety & Side Effects

Limited data. Local injection site reactions possible.

Important: All safety information is derived from published research, primarily animal studies. No controlled human clinical trial data exists unless explicitly noted. This compound is sold for research purposes only.

Quick Facts

Sequence C-terminal Ec peptide of IGF-1 splice variant
Molecular Weight ~2800 g/mol
Half-Life Very short — minutes. PEG-MGF extends this to several days.
Available Sizes 2mg, 5mg
Storage Lyophilized: -20°C. Reconstituted: 2-8°C.

Key Research References

  • Yang SY, Goldspink G. "Different roles of the IGF-I Ec peptide (MGF) and mature IGF-I in myoblast proliferation and differentiation." FEBS Lett. 2002

Related Peptides

View all →
IGF-1 LR3
Growth
Long-acting IGF-1 analog with extended half-life for sustained anabolic signaling in muscle and tissue research.
View Profile → Buy Now
Follistatin 315
Growth
Muscle-selective follistatin isoform with less systemic activity than Follistatin 344, reducing off-target endocrine effects.
View Profile →
Hexarelin
Growth
Potent hexapeptide GH secretagogue with additional cardioprotective properties and direct cardiac receptor binding activity.
View Profile →