Research

Peptide research in metabolic and performance physiology explores how short amino acid chains can enhance anabolic signaling, improve energy utilization, and support recovery. Among the most studied, IGF-1 LR3, a long-acting analogue of insulin-like growth factor-1, activates the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway, promoting muscle hypertrophy, myoblast differentiation, and satellite-cell repair. Both animal and human studies demonstrate that IGF-1 signaling sustains muscle strength, regeneration, and adaptive growth in response to training and injury [1,2].

CJC-1295 (a growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue) and Ipamorelin (a selective ghrelin receptor agonist) are often investigated together for their synergistic effects on the GH/IGF-1 axis. Controlled studies in humans show that CJC-1295 significantly elevates GH and IGF-1 levels for extended periods, while Ipamorelin induces pulsatile GH release without raising cortisol or prolactin, suggesting a physiological and targeted modulation of growth hormone secretion [3,4].

In metabolic research, Tesamorelin has gained attention for its ability to reduce visceral and hepatic fat and improve insulin sensitivity in randomized controlled trials [5]. Meanwhile, 5-Amino-1MQ, a potent nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitor, has shown in preclinical models to enhance NAD⁺ metabolism, increase mitochondrial efficiency, and reverse diet-induced obesity through improved energy expenditure [6–8].
Together, these peptides and small molecules represent promising tools in the study of muscle repair, fat metabolism, and energy optimization.

References

• Musarò A, McCullagh K, Paul A, et al. Localized IGF-1 transgene expression sustains hypertrophy and regeneration in senescent skeletal muscle. Nat Genet. 2001;27(2):195–200. PMID: 11175789

• Philippou A, Maridaki M, Halapas A, Koutsilieris M. The role of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in skeletal muscle physiology. In Vivo. 2007;21(1):45–54. PMID: 17354613

• Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-1 by CJC-1295 in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799–805. PMID: 16352683

• Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen PB, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol.1998;139(5):552–561. PMID: 9849822

• Stanley TL, Feldpausch MN, Oh J, et al. Tesamorelin for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomized, double-blind, multicentre trial. Lancet HIV. 2019;6(12):e821–e830. PMID: 31611038

• Kraus D, Yang Q, Kong D, et al. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase knockdown protects against diet-induced obesity and improves energy expenditure. Nature. 2014;508(7495):258–262. PMID: 24717514

• Neelakantan H, Brightwell CR, Graber TG, et al. Selective NNMT inhibition induces thermogenesis and attenuates diet-induced obesity. Biochem Pharmacol. 2018;147:141–152. PMID: 29155147

• Dimet-Wiley AL, Smith JL, Hernández AF, et al. NNMT inhibition with 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium improves metabolic function in obese mice. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):330. PMID: 35013352