IGF-1 DES

What is IGF-1 DES?

IGF-1 DES, also known as des(1-3)IGF-I, is a synthetic, truncated analog of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). The "DES" in its name refers to "des-amino acid," as it is a modified version of the IGF-1 protein with the first three amino acids removed from its chain.

This small modification makes IGF-1 DES significantly different from regular IGF-1 or its longer-acting counterpart, IGF-1 LR3.

• 10x More Potent: The truncated structure allows IGF-1 DES to bind to the IGF-1 receptor with a much higher affinity—up to 10 times more potent than IGF-1.

• Unaffected by Binding Proteins: It does not bind to IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which normally limit the bioavailability and activity of IGF-1 in the bloodstream. This means it can act almost immediately and intensely at the site of injection.

• Short-Acting and Localized: Due to its inability to bind to IGFBPs, its half-life is very short, and its effects are highly localized to the area where it is injected. This makes it a tool for "site-specific" or targeted muscle growth and recovery.

Benefits and Side Effects

Benefits

• Targeted Muscle Growth: The primary benefit is its ability to induce localized muscle hypertrophy (increase in cell size) and hyperplasia (increase in cell number) at the injection site. This is why it is often used by bodybuilders to bring up "lagging" or specific muscle groups.

• Injury and Connective Tissue Repair: Its potent regenerative properties are used to accelerate the healing of injuries, especially in muscles and connective tissues.

• Post-Workout Muscle Activation: Because of its rapid, localized effect, it's often used immediately after a workout to amplify the muscle-building response in the trained muscles.

Side Effects

The side effects of IGF-1 DES are similar to those of IGF-1, but its potency and rapid action may intensify some of them.

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): IGF-1 has insulin-like effects, and its use can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels, especially if not timed correctly with food intake.

• Joint and Muscle Pain: Some users report severe muscle and joint pain.

• Tissue Overgrowth: Systemic or excessive use can lead to the overgrowth of certain tissues and organs, including the heart (cardiac hypertrophy).

• Increased Cancer Risk: Because IGF-1 is a potent growth factor, it can promote cell proliferation. High levels of IGF-1 have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, as it may accelerate the growth and spread of existing cancerous cells.

• Edema: Swelling of the extremities.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Highly Potent: Much more powerful than native IGF-1.

• Localized Effects: Ideal for targeted muscle development or injury repair.

• Rapid Action: Its effects are almost immediate due to its lack of binding to IGFBPs.

Cons

• Very Short Half-Life: Requires precise timing and frequent injections, often multiple times a day on training days.

• Risk of Hypoglycemia: The insulin-like effects can be dangerous if not managed properly.

• High Risk of Tissue Overgrowth: The potency increases the risk of unwanted tissue growth, especially with improper dosing.

• Unregulated: The substance is not approved for medical use outside of very specific clinical settings, and its purity and safety from non-pharmaceutical sources are not guaranteed.

Dosage, Frequency, Half-Life, and Detection Time

• Dosage: Typical dosages range from 20 to 100 mcg per injection. Users often start at the lower end and increase the dose based on tolerance and response.

• Frequency: It is typically used 1-2 times per day, but only on training days. It is most effective when injected immediately post-workout. Cycles are often limited to 4-6 weeks, followed by a break.

• Half-Life: The half-life of IGF-1 DES is extremely short, estimated to be around 20-30 minutes.

• Detection Time: While its half-life is very short, its detection time can be longer. In anti-doping tests, the substance itself or its metabolites may be detectable for up to 24-48 hours, depending on the sensitivity of the testing methods used (e.g., advanced mass spectrometry). However, it's often considered difficult to detect, which contributes to its use in competitive sports despite being banned.

Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

IGF-1 DES is a growth factor, not an anabolic steroid. Therefore, it does not directly act on steroid, progesterone, or prolactin receptors in the same way that anabolic-androgenic steroids or progestins do.

• Sterogenic/Androgenic: It does not directly affect testosterone production or have androgenic side effects like male pattern baldness, acne, or prostate enlargement. However, it can have complex crosstalk with sex hormones. IGF-1 signaling can augment the effects of sex steroids, and dysregulated IGF-1 signaling has been linked to hormonally-regulated cancers.

• Progestogenic: There is no evidence to suggest that IGF-1 DES has direct progestogenic activity or binds to progesterone receptors.

• Prolactin: There is no evidence of a direct effect on prolactin levels. The effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis are distinct from those caused by compounds that directly manipulate prolactin.

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

The concept of an anabolic-androgenic ratio does not apply to IGF-1 DES. This ratio is used to measure the ratio of a steroid's anabolic (muscle-building) effects to its androgenic (masculinizing) effects. Since IGF-1 DES is a polypeptide hormone and not a steroid, it has no androgenic properties. It is a purely anabolic agent, but its mechanism of action is completely different from that of anabolic steroids. Therefore, an anabolic-androgenic ratio cannot be calculated for IGF-1 DES.