Follistatin-344

Follistatin-344, also known as FS-344, is a synthetic, full-sized version of the naturally occurring glycoprotein Follistatin (FST). Its primary function is to act as an antagonist for several proteins in the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, particularly myostatin and activin. Myostatin is a protein that naturally limits muscle growth. By inhibiting myostatin, Follistatin-344 promotes muscle hypertrophy (increase in muscle cell size) and hyperplasia (increase in the number of muscle cells). This makes it a subject of research for treating conditions like muscular dystrophy and for potential use in muscle enhancement.

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Benefits and Side Effects

Benefits 

• Significant Muscle Growth: By inhibiting myostatin, FS-344 allows for uninhibited muscle development, leading to notable increases in muscle mass and strength.

• Enhanced Strength: The increase in muscle mass directly translates to improved physical strength.

• Faster Recovery: It can accelerate the repair of muscle tissue after exercise, reducing recovery time.

• Potential Fat Loss: The increase in lean muscle mass can raise the body's metabolic rate, which may contribute to a reduction in body fat.

• Hair Growth: Some studies have suggested it may increase hair follicle growth and thickness.

Side Effects 

• Limited Research: Most information on side effects comes from animal studies and anecdotal reports, not from human clinical trials.

• Increased LDL Cholesterol: In some individuals, a slight increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol has been observed.

• Cardiovascular Risks: Given the limited research, long-term effects on the heart and other organs are unknown.

• Reproductive Effects: Since follistatin is involved in reproductive health by suppressing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), there are concerns about its potential impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, though some studies suggest that the specific FS-344 isoform may not have these off-target effects.

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Pros and Cons

Pros 

• Potent Anabolic Effects: It's a very powerful myostatin inhibitor, leading to significant muscle growth.

• Non-Androgenic: Unlike anabolic steroids, it doesn't affect androgen levels, so it avoids side effects like hair loss, acne, and prostate enlargement.

• Gene Therapy Potential: Follistatin is a candidate for gene therapy to treat muscle-wasting diseases, with some therapies showing effects lasting up to a year.

Cons 

• Safety Concerns: It is not approved for human use and is considered an experimental research chemical. The long-term safety profile is unknown.

• Lack of Regulation: It is primarily available on the black market, and product quality, purity, and concentration are not guaranteed.

• High Cost: Gene therapies and pure research-grade peptides can be extremely expensive.

• No Established Protocols: There are no officially sanctioned guidelines for its use, including dosage, frequency, and administration method.

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Dosage and Frequency

There is no standardized or medically approved dosage for Follistatin-344 as it is not a regulated medication. Any dosages mentioned are purely speculative and based on anecdotal use within research or bodybuilding communities. A common suggested regimen is a dose of 100-200 mcg per day for a period of 1-2 weeks, followed by a break. It's often administered via subcutaneous injection. However, such information is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a guide for self-administration.

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Half-Life and Detection Time

The half-life of Follistatin-344 is not definitively established in humans, but studies on a similar mRNA-based delivery system in mice showed elevated levels for up to 72 hours post-injection, with levels returning to baseline within 4 days. The detection time for Follistatin-344, particularly in a doping context, can be difficult to determine due to its similarity to the naturally occurring protein. However, some black market versions may contain a His-tag, a small protein modification that allows it to be distinguished from endogenous follistatin. This could make it detectable in drug tests, but the exact detection window is not widely publicized.

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Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic/Androgenic: Follistatin-344 is not sterogenic. It does not bind to androgen receptors or affect testosterone levels. Therefore, it does not have anabolic androgenic properties.

• Progestogenic: There is no evidence to suggest that Follistatin-344 has progestogenic effects.

• Prolactin: Research suggests that Follistatin does not have a direct role in prolactin expression or production. While it can interact with other hormones, its effect on prolactin seems to be negligible.

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Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a classification used for anabolic steroids to compare their anabolic (muscle-building) and androgenic (masculinizing) effects. Since Follistatin-344 is not a steroid and does not have androgenic properties, it does not have a measurable anabolic-androgenic ratio. Its anabolic effects are mediated by a completely different mechanism—the inhibition of myostatin—rather than through the androgen receptor.