Focus: Somatotropic signaling, pulsatile release dynamics, and pituitary function.
CJC-1295 (No DAC) vs. Tesamorelin
- CJC-1295 (No DAC / Mod GRF 1-29): A synthetic analog of GHRH. The “No DAC” designation means it lacks the Drug Affinity Complex, resulting in a rapid onset and short half-life. It is used to model pulsatile GH release, which mimics natural physiological spikes.
- Tesamorelin: A stabilized GHRH analog with a trans-3-hexenoic acid group. It resists degradation, making it the preferred tool for studying sustained GHRH receptor activation and long-term lipolytic signaling.
Ipamorelin (Selective Secretagogue)
Primary Research Application: Specific GHS-R1a activation without off-target effects.
Mechanism: Unlike GHRH analogs, Ipamorelin binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). It is prized in research for its selectivity—it stimulates GH release without significantly spiking cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin.
Combination Studies: Frequently administered with CJC-1295 to study the “dual pathway” activation of the pituitary gland.
AOD-9604 (Lipolytic Fragment)
Primary Research Application: Lipid metabolism independent of growth.
Mechanism: AOD-9604 consists of the C-terminal fragment (Tyrosine 177-191) of Human Growth Hormone. It retains the fat-burning properties of GH but lacks affinity for the IGF-1 receptor.
Why Researchers Use It: To study fat metabolism pathways in isolation, without the anabolic or glycemic side effects associated with full-length HGH.
