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Peptide therapies have gained significant attention in modern medicine due to their targeted mechanisms of action and minimal side effects compared to traditional pharmaceuticals. These short chains of amino acids play crucial roles in various physiological processes and can be used therapeutically to enhance healing, optimize performance, and address age-related concerns.
Enhanced Tissue Repair & Regeneration
Peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 promote wound healing, tissue repair, and recovery from injuries, making them valuable in orthopedic and sports medicine.
Improved Hormonal Regulation
Growth hormone secretagogues (e.g., CJC-1295, Ipamorelin) stimulate natural growth hormone release, supporting muscle growth, fat loss, and anti-aging benefits.
Cognitive & Neurological Support
Peptides such as Semax and Dihexa have shown promise in enhancing cognitive function, neuroprotection, and potentially mitigating neurodegenerative conditions.
Immune Modulation
Thymosin peptides (e.g., Thymosin Alpha-1, Thymosin Beta-4) can strengthen immune function, reduce inflammation, and aid in autoimmune disorders.
Metabolic Optimization & Fat Loss
Peptides like AOD-9604 and MOTS-c help regulate metabolism, enhance fat burning, and support weight management.
Sexual Health & Longevity
PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is used for enhancing libido and sexual function, while other peptides contribute to overall longevity and vitality.
Gut Health & Inflammation Control
BPC-157 is particularly beneficial for gastrointestinal healing, reducing inflammation, and protecting against conditions like leaky gut and ulcers.
Peptide therapies offer a promising, targeted approach for treating various health concerns, optimizing performance, and promoting longevity. As research continues, their clinical applications are expanding, making them a valuable tool in regenerative medicine and personalized healthcare.
BPC-157, or Body Protection Compound 157, is a synthetic peptide composed of 15 amino acids. It is derived from a protective protein found in the human gastric juice and has been widely studied for its potential therapeutic properties. BPC-157 is known for its regenerative capabilities, with research suggesting its role in promoting healing across various tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This peptide has gained attention in scientific and medical communities due to its wide-ranging biological effects and potential applications in treating injuries, chronic conditions, and inflammatory diseases.
Sermorelin is a growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue has been used to assess and stimultate natural growth hormone secretion. It is of interest to researchers for its ability to improve bone density, reduce scaring, fight the effects of dementia, and reduce seizure activity.
Sermorelin is currently used clinically to assess growth hormone secretion, but the peptide is of additional interest for its abilities to: Reduce scarring following a heart attack, increased bone density, improve nutrition and chronic illness, improve renal function, but the effects of dementia, and reduce seizure activity.
GHK-Cu is a natural peptide in human blood plasma, urine, and saliva. Research in animals reveals that GHK-Cu can improve wound healing, immune function, and skin health by stimulating collagen, fibroblasts and promoting blood vessel growth. There has been evidence that has shown that it acts as a feedback signal that is generated after tissue injury. It also suppresses free-radical damage and thus is a potent antioxidant.
Cerebrolysin benefits include: Cognitive recovery from strokes, spitting up recovery from traumatic brain injury, improving cognitive function and dementia patients, treating Alzheimer's disease, potential therapeutic treatment for spinal cord injury, effectiveness in treating ADD and ADHD, potential for treating Parkinson's disease, addressing disease states brought about by diabetes, neutropenic benefit such as cognitive impairment, enhanced neuro plasticity, and neuro protection.
Thymosin Beta-4 Fragment (1-4) (Ac-SDKP) is a naturally occurring tetrapeptide from thymosin beta-4 that exhibits anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and anti-scarring properties. It has potential as a therapeutic agent for conditions like cardiovascular disease, kidney/ liver fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. It may also provide a more natural approach to treating high blood pressure due to its link with angiotensin-converting enzyme.
KPV is a potent anti-inflammatory peptide that has shown promise in a number of disease conditions. The most active research is in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease where the peptide has showed substantial promise. KPV has been shown in animal studies to be safe and effective when administered orally, intravenously, subcutaneously and transdermal. Research in wound healing also reveals that KPV and other alpha-MSH derivatives may offer a host of benefits that speed wound healing, reduce infection, fight inflammation, and lead to better cosmetic results. KPV and similar peptides could become mainstays not just in wound healing, but in scar reduction following surgery.
NMN is a potent nucleotide derived from niacin that plays a crucial role in the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), vital for cellular energy and metabolism. It is highly bioavailable and efficiently absorbed in the small intestine. Research indicates that NMN can enhance NAD+ levels quickly, within minutes of intake. Studies suggest that NMN may provide neuroprotective and anti-aging benefits by supporting mitochondrial function, boosting antioxidant activity, and facilitating various cellular processes
PE-22-28 is a synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring peptide spadin which binds to TREK-1. TREK-1 is found in regions of the brain controlling mood, memory, and learning. PE-22-28 is being researched for applications including antidepressant activity, learning, stroke recovery and neurodegeneative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
P21 is a nootropic peptide targeting improved neurogenesis. In animal studies, P21 has been shown to boost levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), thus promoting neurogenesis (nerve growth) and inhibiting the formation of Amyloid plaques and Tau proteins seen in Alzheimer's disease. BDNF has been linked not just to enhanced neurogenesis, but to the down regulation of certain enzyme responsible for tau and amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer's brains. P21 has been shown to improve cognition in animal models.
SS-31 helps improve mitochondrial function and overall production of energy via ATP synthesis. Research has shown its ability to reduce inflammatory cytokines which cause oxidative stress and inflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and more
Thymosin Beta-4 Fragment (1-4) (Ac-SDKP) is a naturally occurring tetrapeptide from thymosin beta-4 that exhibits anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and anti-scarring properties. It has potential as a therapeutic agent for conditions like cardiovascular disease, kidney/ liver fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. It may also provide a more natural approach to treating high blood pressure due to its link with angiotensin-converting enzyme.
Thymagen (Thymogen) is a highly active bioregulator peptide with primary effects on cells of the immune system. It has been shown to increase production and differentiation of T cells, stimulate the secretion of interferons, boost levels of cyclic nucleotides, and promote the functionality of the innate immune system. As a result of its effects on the innate immune system, Thymagen has also been shown to help prevent cancer and reduce the severity of the disease. Research has shown that Thymagen is useful as a peri-operative preventative measures against infection. It has been shown to increase rate of recovery following surgery and is potentially cardioprotective as well.
PT-141, also called Bremelanotide (generic clinical name), is a heavily modified synthetic derivative of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It has been tested in clinical trials as a treatment for both male/female hypoactive sexual desire disorder and acute hemorrhage. PT-141 is an agonist for the melanocortin-4 and melanocortin-1 receptors. Research shows that it promotes sexual arousal and stimulates the immune system.
5-amino-1MQ is a small molecule that blocks the activity of the enzyme called nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). NNMT is a very important component in metabolism and energy and is predominantly active in fat tissue. By blocking NNMT, 5-amino-1MQ stimulates an increase in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a cofactor that is central to cellular metabolism, thereby increasing metabolic rate and activating a gene called sirtuin-1 (SIRT1).
SIRT1 is also known as the "longevity gene" because of its role in reducing the risk of diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and other forms of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Research in mice given 5-amino-1MQ showed a 7% reduction in body mass over 10 days without any changes in food intake, compared to controls. Research has shown that decreasing NNMT may help shrink fat cells and reduce the size of fat deposits.
Humanin is a naturally occurring micro-peptide found in mitochondria. It protects cells from apoptosis and may be useful in staving off heart, eye, brain, and muscle diseases. Humanin is one of a select, small class of compounds targeting mitochondrial function and thus improving cellular energy efficiency and homeostasis.
IGF-1 LR3 (insulin-like growth factor-1 long arginine 3) is a synthetic, modified construct of insulin-like growth factor-1. Because IGF-1 LR3 does not bind to IGF-1 binding proteins very well, it remains active up to 120 times longer than standard IGF-1. This results in improved half-life for the peptide and thus increased activity. IGF-1 LR3 enhances cell division and growth, boosts fat metabolism, and increases muscle repair and hypertrophy by inhibiting myostatin. Recent research suggests that IGF-1 LR3 may also be useful in improving lactation among mothers with young offspring.
Tesofensine is a serotonin-noradrenaline-dopamine reuptake inhibitor which was originally studied for its effect on Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, its exploration for these indications were limited because the research subjects starting losing too much weight. Since then, tesofensine has been studied as a way to treat obesity via its ability to reduce appetite. This molecular compound indirectly stimulates the cholinergic system and showed to be more successful than other weight loss agents. Tesofensine (TE) increases transmission of 3 monoaminergic neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine which help regulate energy balance and are linked to obesity and depression. On average, its 6-month weight loss results from a phase 2b clinical trial resulted in a weight loss of around 25 pounds. TE research has shown a pronounced effect on appetite sensations and a slight effect on energy expenditure. Both effects can contribute to the strong weight reducing effect.
Tesamorelin, is a syntheitic peptide consiting of 44 amino acids. It is a growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue researched for the treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy (dysfunctional, toxic fat deposition). It is also being researched for its ability to improve peripheral nerve health, slow the progression of mild cognitive impairment, and the reduction visceral fat. This peptide has been found to reduce adiposity by nearly 20% in this population. Research suggests that tesamorelin is approximately 4 times more effective in reducing adiposity than all of the other available therapies combined.
VIP can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body, but that it is particularly useful in the setting of neurodegenerative disease, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiac fibrosis. The peptide appears to be highly effective in a number of fibrotic pathways and may offer treatment benefits in the common process of fibrosis that leads to so much morbidity and mortality.
In addition to its antifibrotic effects, which appear to be mediated through anti-inflammatory actions, VIP is also a potent immune system regulator and general anti-inflammatory. The peptide has also been shown to protect the central nervous system against insult and is of active interest for its ability to preserve cognitive function in the setting of neurodegenerative disease.
Thymalin is a synthetic version of Thymulin, which is involved in regulating inflammation and pain. Research shows that Thymalin may be effective in boosting immune function, fighting heart disease, and regulating sleep-wake cycles. It is also of interest in aging research for its ability to reduce all-cause mortality in mouse models and prolong lifespan.
Tirzepatide is a synthetic derivative of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) that has simultaneous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) functionality as well. This combination allows Tirzepatide to lower blood glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity, boost feelings of satiety, and accelerate weight loss. Tirzepatide was developed to fight type 2 diabetes, but has additionally been shown to protect the cardiovascular system and act as a potent weight loss agent.
This is not an all-inclusive list, but only a few of many peptides. This does not even begin to discuss bioregulators that are an entirely different class also available.
All information above regarding peptide therapies has been procured from PubMed online library. Images from PubChem.
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