MGF 10MG

MGF is a splice variant of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Research reveals it to have positive effects on tissue growth, wound healing, cardiac repair, and skeletal muscle repair. There is good evidence to indicate that MGF improves muscle repair following injury and boosts recovery times following exercise or injury. MGF may even protect vulnerable tissue (e.g. cartilage) against mechanical stresses such occurs during running, weight training, and repetitive motion.

A natural form of MGF is expressed in muscle tissues in response to the overburdening or damage of these cells. MGF has been found to induce the stimulation of repair, regrowth, and the formation of new cells in response to stress. This process is called hypertrophy (or hyperplasia) and is crucial in the gaining of muscle mass.

The natural production of MGF stimulates the recruitment of undamaged cells to give rise to new muscle tissues, while a liver-derived variant of this agent (IGF-1Ea) initiates the upregulation – or positive feedback control – of protein synthesis. Through these biochemical pathways, MGF is thought to be the primary mechanism by which the body naturally produces new muscle tissue.

Animal studies have shown MGF as an active neuroprotective agent and a promoter of conserved skeletal health6. Also, reinforcing its functionality as an agent of muscle tissue repair, MGF has been found to be active in coordinating the repair of heart muscle tissue following myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Research and Clinical Studies

MGF Peptide and Muscle Mass

The main aim of this study was to determine the potential of the synthetic MGF peptide, MGF-24aa-E, on different aged cells. This was a study where muscle cell cultures were prepared for different ages ranging from neonatal to aged muscles. Upon presenting MGF-24aa-E to the cultures, the culture cells were then analyzed. The results suggested that there was cell proliferation in all cells isolated from neonatal to young cells, however, this was not the case in cells isolated from aged subjects. Muscle hypertrophy appeared to be increased in the cells from older cells with a significant decrease in the reserve cells.

The main aim of another study was to evaluate the potential of MGF on skeletal muscle injury repair and healing. This study was performed on mice that were experimentally induced with muscle contusion and muscular depletion. Mechano Growth Factor was presented to these subjects directly. Upon analysis of the muscle tissues, it was suggested by the researchers that MGF may have reduced the expressions of inflammatory units such as cytokines and chemokines, and reduced stress factors. As a result, the rate of contused muscles appeared to be declined, which might induce long-term muscular repair of the wounded tissues.

MGF Peptide and Anti-apoptotic Properties

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the potential of MGF on cardiac muscles undergoing programmed cell death following hypoxia, which is a condition characterized by limited supply of oxygen. Rats were experimentally induced with hypoxia with only 1% oxygen supply leading to cellular apoptosis. Once the peptide was given to the test subjects, the study reported that the peptide appeared to induce increased migration of stem cells to the heart which possibly led to inhibition of apoptosis.

MGF Peptide and Skeletal Injury

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the potential of MGF on bone injury. 27 rabbits were experimentally induced with a 5-mm bone defect and were then divided into three groups that were given MGF, or with a placebo for 5 consecutive days. Post trial, when the bone tissues were histologically examined, it was reported by the researchers that the placebo tissue appeared to be the least healed, whereas the bone tissue with MGF appeared to be the most healed tissue.

MGF Peptide and Brain Ischemia

The main purpose of a 2005 study was to combat ischemic stroke through the potential action of MGF peptides. The actions were studied in experimental trials conducted on gerbil rodents suffering from brain ischemia. Synthetic Mechano Growth Factor peptide was presented to these rats as an ischemic mitigator. It was reported by the researchers that MGF appeared to lead to increased protection of the brain cells. Interestingly, in the same model, it was also reported that ischemia appeared to lead to elevated endogenous MGF production in the ischemia resistant neurons as well. Additional studies were carried out in degenerated hippocampal cell culture, to which MGF was added. Upon addition, MGF exhibited reportedly similar results of muscle proliferation. This potential action is believed to be due to the C-terminal of the MGF peptide, which may exert some level of neuroprotective action.

MGF Peptide and Brain Cells

Several studies were conducted on mice who were experimented on in order to increase the levels of MGF and thereby study the action of increased MGF concentration on their brain cells. One study included breeding of mice in order to constitutively overproduce MGF in the hippocampus area of the brain. Hippocampus is primarily responsible for regulating the neurogenesis phenomenon in the body. This overproduction of MGF appeared to result in high concentrations of BrdU, which is a biological marker representative of proliferative actions in the body.

Another study was conducted where mice were bred to conditional MGF production at 1, 3 and 12 months old. Behavioral analysis and biological responses were examined after 2 years. These mice were reported to exhibit elevated levels of BrdU and neurogenesis.