--- title: "MGF" canonical_url: https://bestpeptidecalculator.app/library/mgf description: "Mechano growth factor is the IGF-1Ec splice variant induced by muscle loading. Research MGF peptides are not an FDA drug. WADA S2." updated: 2026-11-07 publisher: Peptide Library notice: "Research and educational use only. Not medical advice." --- # MGF MGF (also called Mechano growth factor or IGF-1Ec) is a research peptide in the IGF-1 receptor agonist class. Mechano growth factor is a splice variant of the IGF-1 gene, produced when mechanical loading or muscle damage shifts splicing to include exon 5. Mechano growth factor is the IGF-1Ec splice variant induced by muscle loading. Research MGF peptides are not an FDA drug. WADA S2. Also known as: Mechano growth factor, IGF-1Ec. Categories: Fat Loss, Muscle/Recovery, Experimental. ## Classification - Type: IGF-1 splice variant / research - Mechanism class: IGF-1 receptor agonist - Development stage: Research only - Regulatory class: Research compound, not FDA-approved ## Mechanism Mechano growth factor is a splice variant of the IGF-1 gene, produced when mechanical loading or muscle damage shifts splicing to include exon 5. The resulting transcript encodes the same mature IGF-1 sequence attached to a distinct C-terminal E-peptide, designated Ec in humans, which is unique to this variant. Research interest centres on that E-peptide: in cell and animal models it appears to act independently of the IGF-1 receptor to promote satellite-cell activation and proliferation, the first step in muscle repair after mechanical stress. The distinction matters, because the proposed activity is attributed to a domain that native IGF-1 does not have. Human data is minimal. Targets: IGF-1 receptor, Satellite cells (proposed). Origin: Synthetic IGF-1Ec-related peptide. ## Evidence - Evidence level: Insufficient Evidence - Highest documented: None documented - Human trials: 0 - Controlled human trials: 0 - Preclinical sources: 0 - Latest source: 2005 No human dose is established for this compound. Each step shows whether the sources Peptide Library has reviewed include that kind of research. Counts are reviewed sources, not every study ever published. Reviews and programme summaries that describe human use are shown as "reported", not as trials, and registered trials without published results are listed but not counted. A higher step means research has progressed further; it does not mean a compound works better or is safer. Compounds whose evidence has not been reviewed yet show "Not reviewed" instead of a guess. ### Studies 1. Time course of molecular responses of human skeletal muscle to acute bouts of resistance exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005. 2005. Secondary report (review or programme summary), not a trial. Population: Nine people, muscle biopsies before and after bouts of resistance exercise. Mechano-growth factor mRNA was unchanged by the exercise, while several other myogenic genes rose. Limitations: Reported in research, not a controlled trial. [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15465884/) 2. Mechano-growth factor E-domain modulates cardiac contractile function through 14-3-3 protein interactomes. Front Physiol. 2022. 2022. Preclinical: animal or lab study. Population: Mice. Research on a related compound, not this one. Limitations: Studied an analog, not MGF itself; Lab or animal research: not evidence of a human effect or dose. [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36467694/) 3. The use of mechano growth factor to prevent cartilage degeneration in knee osteoarthritis. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2018. 2018. Preclinical: in vitro (cells or tissue). Population: Human osteoarthritic chondrocytes in culture; rabbits with a knee osteoarthritis model. Less cartilage degeneration in the rabbit model, and more proliferation, migration and matrix synthesis in the cultured cells. Research on a related compound, not this one. Limitations: Studied an analog, not MGF itself; Lab or animal research: not evidence of a human effect or dose. [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28599103/) 4. Intramuscular injection of mechano growth factor E domain peptide regulated expression of memory-related sod, miR-134 and miR-125b-3p in rat hippocampus under simulated weightlessness. Biotechnol Lett. 2016. 2016. Preclinical: animal or lab study. Population: Rats under 14 days of tail suspension to simulate weightlessness. Reversed the rise in memory-related genes and microRNAs in the hippocampus. Research on a related compound, not this one. Limitations: Studied an analog, not MGF itself; Lab or animal research: not evidence of a human effect or dose. [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27623796/) ## Safety Side effects: Unknown human AE profile. Risks: WADA S2. Human safety basis: No controlled human safety data Key limitations: No established human dosage.; No controlled human trial results in the reviewed sources.; Not approved by the FDA for any use.. ## Regulatory status MGF is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use. - FDA status: Not Approved - WADA status: Banned in Sport - Availability: Research-Only ## Frequently asked questions ### What is MGF? Mechano growth factor is the IGF-1Ec splice variant induced by muscle loading. Research MGF peptides are not an FDA drug. WADA S2. ### How does MGF work? Mechano growth factor is a splice variant of the IGF-1 gene, produced when mechanical loading or muscle damage shifts splicing to include exon 5. The resulting transcript encodes the same mature IGF-1 sequence attached to a distinct C-terminal E-peptide, designated Ec in humans, which is unique to this variant. ### Is MGF FDA approved? No. MGF is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as research-only. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use. FDA's compounding lists show 503A Category 3: Nominated without adequate support. ### Is MGF banned in sport? MGF is recorded here as prohibited in sport. Athletes subject to anti-doping rules should check the current WADA Prohibited List directly, since it is revised annually and classifications change. ### What peptides are similar to MGF? Compounds most often compared with MGF include IGF-1 (overview), Mecasermin, IGF-1 LR3 and IGF-1 DES. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ. ## References - [WADA Prohibited List 2026](https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list) - [The role of mechano growth factor in chondrocytes and cartilage defects: a concise review — Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai), 2023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37171185/) - [The role of the IGF-1 Ec in myoskeletal system and osteosarcoma pathophysiology — Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 2016](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27931832/) - [Biological activity of the e domain of the IGF-1Ec as addressed by synthetic peptides — Hormones (Athens), 2014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24776619/) - [Minireview: Mechano-growth factor: a putative product of IGF-I gene expression involved in tissue repair and regeneration — Endocrinology, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20130113/) - [Mechano-growth factor regulates periodontal ligament stem cell proliferation and differentiation through Fyn-RhoA-YAP signaling — Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39067248/) Note: Dose figures are left out of this Markdown version. See the cited sources.