● pepmg Research Desk · Peer-reviewed evidence review
What the research says about IGF-1 DES
A neutral review of Des(1-3)IGF-I (IGF-1 DES), a truncated IGF-I analogue studied chiefly in biochemical, cell, and animal research. Research use only.
Preclinical only — Animal or in-vitro studies only — no controlled human trials. This describes the state of the published literature, not a claim that this compound works, is safe, or is for human use. Research use only.
The short version
- IGF-1 DES is Des(1-3)IGF-I, an IGF-I variant missing three amino acids from its N-terminus [1].
- The literature attributes its altered experimental potency largely to reduced binding to IGF-binding proteins and reports growth-related endpoints in cells and animal models [1][2][3].
- The curated evidence does not establish a clinical use or human safety profile. Research use only.
What IGF-1 DES is
Des(1-3)IGF-I is a truncated form of insulin-like growth factor I lacking the N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu sequence. A review reports its occurrence in biological tissues and describes reduced interaction with IGF-binding proteins relative to intact IGF-I [1].
IGF-1 DES is distinct from long-R3 IGF-1. The registry keeps them separate so vendor prices and evidence are not combined.
What the research measured
Preclinical onlyA study in growth-hormone-deficient mice compared IGF-I with Des(1-3)IGF-I and measured body length and organ-weight endpoints [2]. Another study in diabetic rats measured weight gain, nitrogen retention, and muscle protein synthesis after exposure to IGF-I or the truncated analogue [3].
These animal data and the biochemical review describe experimental activity, but they do not establish clinical effectiveness in humans [1][2][3].
Evidence and safety boundary
Preclinical onlyThe review explicitly noted that clinical opportunities had not been evaluated at publication [1]. The curated corpus contains no controlled human trial establishing a use, dose, or safety profile for IGF-1 DES.
The evidence is classified as preclinical. This page is not medical advice or a recommendation to use an IGF analogue.
Evidence boundary
What this research cannot tell us
- The key evidence is older and consists largely of biochemical characterization and experiments in animal models [1][2][3].
- No controlled human trial establishing efficacy, a clinical use, or a human safety profile was identified in this evidence set [1][2][3].
- The cited studies used research preparations and do not establish the identity or quality of products offered by current vendors [1][2][3].
Sources · 3
- Des(1-3)IGF-I: a truncated form of insulin-like growth factor-I.
- Enhanced potency of truncated insulin-like growth factor-I (des(1-3)IGF-I) relative to IGF-I in lit/lit mice.
- Increased weight gain, nitrogen retention and muscle protein synthesis following treatment of diabetic rats with insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and des(1-3)IGF-I.
pepmg summarizes the peer-reviewed literature and links to every source — it sells nothing, ships nothing, and gives no medical or human-use guidance. Don't just trust this summary: follow any citation to its source and read it yourself. Research use only.