Description
Insulin-like Growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an endogenous protein containing 70 amino acids and is produced naturally in the body. IGF-1 helps regulate cellular tissue and body development. There are two synthetic forms of this protein – firstly, IGF-1, an identical synthetic version of the naturally occurring IGF-1, and Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3, a more potent variation of the natural protein.
Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 is similar to the endogenous protein; the only difference in IGF-1 LR-3 is the N-terminal structure and arginine amino acid included in its structure. Therefore, it is called IGF-1 Long R3.(1) Due to this alteration, it binds poorly with the type 1 IGF-1 receptors in the body. The blood plasma concentration of the peptide remains high, suggesting a much higher potency than the natural protein.1
Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 Chemical Makeup(2,3)
Molecular Formula: C400H625N111O115S9
Molecular Weight: 9117.5 g/mol
Other known titles: Long-(arg3) insulin-like growth factor-I, Insulin-like growth factor long chain R3
Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 Research
Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 and insulin-like growth factor deficiency reversal
A study(4) was conducted in 2005 to study the effects of the peptide in patients suffering from IGF-2 deficiency and growth ailments. There were 45 patients with naturally short stature enrolled in this clinical trial, where the peptide was administered to them once a day. Halfway through the study, the peptide dose was tailored per the patient’s age and gender. The heights of the patients were measured before the study, and after completion of the trial, they were measured again as part of the analysis. Based on the reports, it was observed that the height had increased in all patients treated with the peptide by an average of 7 cm. This study suggests that IGF-1 analogs, including Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 peptide, have the potential to treat growth deficiency.
Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 and lipid metabolism
Research(5) has suggested that IGF proteins typically bind to IGF-1 receptors and stimulate glucose uptake. This triggers glucose metabolism via a signaling mechanism. Peptides like Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3, when studied, appeared to demonstrate similar results, suggesting that the glucose uptake may not be triggered due to binding with IGF-1 receptors. When glucose uptake is triggered, it leads to an overall reduction in the blood sugar levels in the body. Due to less sugar, the adipose (fatty) tissue and liver cells get activated to conduct lysis of the stored body glycogen and fats. Therefore, Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 may have the potential to enhance lipid metabolism. Assefa B Mahmoud et al. stated, “Multiple in vivo studies reported the role of IGF-1 in enhancing insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. A low-serum level of IGF-1 has been associated with insulin resistance, and treatment with recombinant IGF-1 has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.”
Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 and Lifespan
While there have been conflicting reports on whether this peptide has the potential to stimulate life span longevity, it is known that Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 peptide protects the muscle cells and maintains the body overall, making it a potential anti-aging agent with cellular protective properties.
Research(6) on experimental rodents observes that when administered with the peptide, several common aging ailments such as muscle tears and dementia, appear to be prevented for an extended period. While more detailed studies and clinical trials are pending, the above preliminary study shows that the peptide may help to increase life span. As per William E. Sonntag et al., “Based on this review, we conclude that the perceived contradictory roles of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 in the genesis of the aging phenotype should not be interpreted as a controversy on whether growth hormone or insulin-like growth factor-1 increases or decreases life span but rather as an opportunity to explore the complex roles of these hormones during specific stages of the life span.”
Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 and muscle dystrophy
A study(7) was conducted on female mice to identify the Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 peptide’s potential for decreasing myostatin’s effects. Myostatin prevents cellular differentiation; preventing the effects of this protein helps increase lean muscle and reduce fatty mass. The study’s results found that the various IGF-1 analogs, including Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3, appear to reverse adverse myostatin effects and prevent apoptosis, protecting the muscle cells in the body. Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 peptide has a longer half-life than IGF-1, leading researchers to assume that it may be a potent peptide with more prolonged effects.
Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 and long-lasting benefits
For this study(8), an experimental mouse model was created where the Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 peptide replaced the endogenous IGF-1. Throughout the study, it was observed that when the peptide was administered, it was quickly cleared from the serum and evenly distributed into the body tissues. Post-completion of the study, it was observed that these experimental mice showed increased growth and strength, with an improved robust skeletal system, compared to the controls. Also, since the Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 peptide binds poorly with the IGF-1 receptors, their plasma concentration remains higher for extended periods.
References
- Tomas, F. M., Knowles, S. E., Owens, P. C., Chandler, C. S., Francis, G. L., Read, L. C., & Ballard, F. J. (1992). Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and especially IGF-I variants are anabolic in dexamethasone-treated rats. The Biochemical journal, 282 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1), 91–97. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1130894/
- Human Insulin-like growth factor. Protein Data Bank in Europe, https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbe/entry/pdb/1gzr
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (2023). PubChem Substance Record for SID 381123731, M9L22Y19H9, Source: ChemIDplus. Retrieved January 24, 2023 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/substance/381123731.
- Anderson, L. J., Tamayose, J. M., & Garcia, J. M. (2018). Use of growth hormone, IGF-I, and insulin for anabolic purpose: Pharmacological basis, methods of detection, and adverse effects. Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 464, 65–74. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5723243/
- Assefa, B., Mahmoud, A. M., Pfeiffer, A., Birkenfeld, A. L., Spranger, J., & Arafat, A. M. (2017). Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF) Binding Protein-2, Independently of IGF-1, Induces GLUT-4 Translocation and Glucose Uptake in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2017 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5750484/
- William E. Sonntag, Anna Csiszar, Raphael de Cabo, Luigi Ferrucci, Zoltan Ungvari, Diverse Roles of Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Mammalian Aging: Progress and Controversies, The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 67A, Issue 6, June 2012, Pages 587–598, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/gls115
- Naisi Li, Qiyuan Yang, Ryan G. Walker, Thomas B. Thompson, Min Du, Buel D. Rodgers, Myostatin Attenuation In Vivo Reduces Adiposity, but Activates Adipogenesis, Endocrinology, Volume 157, Issue 1, 1 January 2016, Pages 282–291. https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2015-1546
- Yakar, S et al., 40 YEARS OF IGF1: Insulin-like growth factors: actions on the skeleton (Jul 2018). Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, vol. 61 Issue 1. https://doi.org/10.1530/JME-17-0298
NOTE: These products are intended for laboratory research use only. Receptor Grade IGF-1 LR3 for sale (100mcg) is not intended for personal use. Please review and adhere to our Terms and Conditions before ordering.
Dr. Marinov (MD, Ph.D.) is a researcher and chief assistant professor in Preventative Medicine & Public Health. Prior to his professorship, Dr. Marinov practiced preventative, evidence-based medicine with an emphasis on Nutrition and Dietetics. He is widely published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and specializes in peptide therapy research.