Understand the source comparison
Peptides for Sarcopenia: Clinical Evidence Comparison
GH Secretagogues (CJC-1295, Ipamorelin) Stimulate pituitary GH release → IGF-1 synthesis → mTOR activation 1.5–2.2 kg vs placebo Grip strength +10–15%, gait speed +0.08–0.12 m/s Subcutaneous injection, 100–200 mcg 2–3×/week Strongest evidence base for muscle m
No winner is assigned.
This page preserves a source comparison for education. It does not add a rating, recommendation or clinical judgment.
- GH Secretagogues (CJC-1295, Ipamorelin)
- Stimulate pituitary GH release → IGF-1 synthesis → mTOR activation
- 1.5–2.2 kg vs placebo
- Grip strength +10–15%, gait speed +0.08–0.12 m/s
- Subcutaneous injection, 100–200 mcg 2–3×/week
- Strongest evidence base for muscle mass and functional strength. Requires consistent dosing and dietary protein ≥1.2 g/kg/day.
- Thymalin (Immunoregulatory)
- Reduces IL-6 and TNF-alpha, suppresses ubiquitin-proteasome muscle degradation
- 0.9–1.3 kg vs baseline
- Gait speed +0.10–0.15 m/s, reduced inflammatory biomarkers
- Intramuscular injection, 10 mg 2×/week
- Best suited for patients with elevated inflammatory markers (CRP >3 mg/L). Complements resistance training by accelerating recovery.
- MK-677 (Oral Ghrelin Agonist)
- Binds ghrelin receptors → sustained GH elevation without pituitary suppression
- 1.2–1.9 kg over 6 months
- Appetite stimulation (beneficial in anorexia), variable strength gains
- Oral, 25 mg once daily
- Convenient oral dosing. Appetite increase complicates use in insulin-resistant patients. 24-hour GH elevation pattern differs from pulsatile secretagogues.
- IGF-1 LR3 (Direct mTOR Activation)
- Bypasses GH requirement, directly activates muscle IGF-1 receptors
- 1.8–2.5 kg in 8 weeks
- Rapid lean mass accrual, receptor downregulation limits long-term use
- Subcutaneous injection, 40–60 mcg daily, cycled 8 weeks on / 4 weeks off
- Fastest muscle mass response. Requires cycling to prevent receptor desensitization. Not suitable for continuous use beyond 12 weeks.
- Myostatin Inhibitors (Follistatin, ACE-031)
- Block myostatin binding to activin receptors, remove brake on mTOR signaling
- 2.5–3.8 kg (Phase 2 data)
- Significant lean mass gain, off-target effects limited clinical adoption
- Investigational. Subcutaneous or intramuscular
- Highest lean mass gain in trials. ACE-031 discontinued due to adverse hematological effects. Follistatin-based compounds remain experimental.