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MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)

Status: Preclinical / Research peptide, , not approved for human use
Evidence: Not graded on a research bench yet

MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is the local IGF-1Ec splice variant of insulin-like growth factor-1, expressed in skeletal muscle in response to mechanical loading.

Reviewed 2 October 2026

01Overview

What MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is

Native MGF has an extremely short serum half-life (5-7 minutes), so research peptide vendors typically supply PEG-MGF (polyethylene glycol-conjugated) which extends serum half-life to several days.

MGF activates satellite cell proliferation and muscle stem cell recruitment more rapidly than systemic IGF-1, making it a candidate for post-exercise hyperplasia/hypertrophy protocols. Most peer-reviewed data is preclinical.

How it works

Mechanical stress on skeletal muscle triggers alternative splicing of the IGF-1 gene, producing the IGF-1Ec variant rather than the systemic IGF-1Ea form. "MGF" refers to the ~24-amino-acid C-terminal Ec (E-domain) peptide derived from that splice variant. Contrary to a widespread claim, this Ec peptide does NOT act through the IGF-1 receptor. In cell studies its activity is blocked by a neutralizing anti-IGF-1Ec antibody but NOT by an anti-IGF-1-receptor antibody, and it signals through an IGF-1R-INDEPENDENT pathway that activates ERK1/2 (a progression-type growth signal) without affecting Akt (Papageorgiou 2016 [PMID:27838607]). Only the mature IGF-1 domain of the full-length IGF-1Ec protein binds and activates the IGF-1 receptor. The proposed downstream effect is activation of muscle satellite cells, hypothetically increasing myonuclear donation to existing fibers and, in some models, supporting recruitment of new fibers, but this remains an in-vitro / proposed mechanism, not an established one. EVIDENCE CAVEAT: satellite-cell activation by MGF is preclinical and DISPUTED. It has been reported in some human muscle-cell cultures (and mainly in young rather than aged muscle), yet independent replication attempts at two pharmaceutical companies could not reproduce any effect of MGF peptide on human or mouse myoblast / muscle-stem-cell proliferation, differentiation, or ERK activation (Fornaro/Glass 2013 [PMID:24253050]). No effect has ever been demonstrated in living humans.

Studied for

Skeletal muscle hypertrophy
Satellite cell biology
IGF-1 splice variants
Post-exercise recovery

Benefits listed

Proposed (preclinical / in-vitro): satellite-cell proliferation in skeletal muscle
Proposed: local hypertrophy and myonuclear donation to existing fibers
Proposed: post-exercise recovery support
Proposed: tissue-repair adjunct (muscle, tendon)

02Research

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What the research shows

No research bench grades MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) yet. Benches compare compounds people pair, with the evidence for each.

Key research findings

There are no completed clinical trials of MGF (mechano growth factor) in humans and no published human pharmacokinetic data. The evidence base is entirely preclinical: rodent muscle-injury and overload models plus in-vitro cell studies, some of which reported enhanced satellite-cell proliferation. Those in-vitro findings are DISPUTED. When two pharmaceutical companies independently attempted to reproduce the reported effects of MGF peptide on human and mouse myoblasts and primary muscle stem cells, they found no effect on proliferation, differentiation, or ERK activation, calling a physiological role for the peptide into question (Fornaro/Glass 2013 [PMID:24253050]). Marketed "PEG-MGF" research peptides have never been evaluated in a registered human trial. Research use only.

Safety and side effects

Limited safety data. Anecdotal AEs include: injection site soreness, transient hypoglycemia (related to IGF activity), water retention. Theoretical concerns: any pre-existing malignancy due to growth-factor activity.

On PubMed

254 PubMed results for the search "mechano growth factor"[tiab] OR "mechanogrowth factor"[tiab] OR "MGF E peptide"[tiab] OR "IGF-1Ec"[tiab] OR "IGF-IEc"[tiab], counted 2 October 2026. A search count, not a count of studies on MGF (Mechano Growth Factor).

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03Safety

MGF side effects and interactions

Side effects

Common

Injection site irritation
Transient hypoglycemia
Mild water retention

Serious events

Theoretical risk in active malignancy (growth factor activity)
No long-term human safety data

Who should not use it

Contraindications

Active malignancy or cancer history (relative). Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Active diabetic ketoacidosis. Caution with concurrent IGF-1 LR3 - overlapping growth-factor activity.

Interactions

Not in our record

Our record lists no interactions for MGF (Mechano Growth Factor). That means none are recorded here, not that none exist.

This interaction data is compiled from published research and community reports. It may not be exhaustive. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining compounds.

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04Dosing

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MGF dosage and protocols

Dose range: 100-300 mcg (PEG-MGF)
Dosing: Twice per week post-workout
Common vials: 2mg, 5mg

Dosing summary

Dose: 100-300 mcg
Route: Intramuscular (local, into the target muscle); subcutaneous also used for PEG-MGF
Frequency: 2-3x per week post-workout
Duration: 4-6 weeks

Protocols

Beginner protocol

100 mcg PEG-MGF intramuscular post-workout, 2x per week, for 4 weeks.

Intermediate protocol

200 mcg PEG-MGF, 2-3x per week, for 6 weeks. Pair with creatine + protein for synergy.

Advanced protocol

300 mcg PEG-MGF intramuscular at injury or hypertrophy target site, 3x per week, for 4-6 weeks.

Common vial sizes

Reconstitution and handling notes

Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water. A 2mg vial + 1mL BAC water = 2000 mcg/mL. 5 units (0.05mL) = 100 mcg.

Stacking notes

Common stacking: post-workout intramuscular MGF + BPC-157 for tendon repair + TB-500 for systemic recovery. Pair with CJC-1295 for downstream IGF-1 amplification - though stacking growth-factor peptides at high dose has theoretical malignancy concerns.

Additional dosage notes

Native MGF vs PEG-MGF: native is typically injected immediately post-workout into the trained muscle, since its half-life is estimated at only ~5-7 minutes (community estimate; no human PK data). PEG-MGF is PEGylated to circulate longer and can be dosed within hours of training. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water; refrigerate; use within 28 days. Research use only.

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05Prices

MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) prices

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06Chemistry

Chemistry and structure

Molecular mass: ~2868.2 Da (average mass, C-terminal Ec peptide)
Amino acid sequence: Tyr-Gln-Pro-Pro-Ser-Thr-Asn-Lys-Asn-Thr-Lys-Ser-Gln-Arg-Arg-Lys-Gly-Ser-Thr-Phe-Glu-Glu-Arg-Lys (Ec peptide)
Half-life: Reported/estimated only; no published human PK data. Commonly cited community figures are ~5-7 minutes for native MGF and ~24-48 hours for PEGylated PEG-MGF; neither has been established in human pharmacokinetic studies.

08Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) used for in research?

MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is the local IGF-1Ec splice variant of insulin-like growth factor-1, expressed in skeletal muscle in response to mechanical loading. Native MGF has an extremely short serum half-life (5-7 minutes), so research peptide vendors typically supply PEG-MGF (polyethylene glycol-conjugated) which extends serum half-life to several days.

What forms does MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) come in?

MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is available in vials, capsules, and sprays forms.

How much does MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) cost?

BodyHackGuide tracks no vendor for MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) yet, so no price is stated.

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Spec sheet