Follistatin vs Mazdutide
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Anabolic & IGF
FollistatinGLP-1 / Weight Loss Agonists
Mazdutide- Summary
- Follistatin is an endogenous glycoprotein that acts as a potent inhibitor of myostatin and activin, two proteins that limit muscle growth. By binding and neutralizing myostatin, follistatin removes the primary brake on skeletal muscle hypertrophy, enabling significant muscle growth beyond normal physiological limits. It is distinct from its isoforms Follistatin 315 and Follistatin 344 in tissue distribution and binding affinity.
- Mazdutide is a once-weekly GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist developed by Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly. Phase 2 trials in Chinese populations demonstrated up to 11.3% body weight reduction at 6 mg over 24 weeks. It also improves liver fat, glycemic control, and lipid profiles. Phase 3 trials are ongoing primarily in China.
- Half-Life
- ~3–5 hours (endogenous form)
- ~7 days
- Admin Route
- IM, SubQ
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 50–100 mcg per injection site
- 1.5 mg → 3 mg → 4.5 mg → 6 mg
- Frequency
- Every other day or 2–3x per week
- Once weekly
- Key Benefits
- Potent myostatin inhibition enabling supraphysiological muscle growth
- Increases skeletal muscle mass and fiber size
- May accelerate recovery from muscle injury
- Potential benefits in muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia
- Synergistic with IGF-1 and growth hormone in anabolic protocols
- Animal studies show dramatic increases in muscle mass
- Reduces muscle fibrosis in dystrophic models
- Up to 11.3% body weight reduction at 24 weeks (Phase 2, 6 mg dose)
- Significant reduction in liver fat content (NAFLD/MASH potential)
- Improves HbA1c and fasting glucose in type 2 diabetes
- Favorable lipid profile changes (reduced triglycerides)
- Once-weekly subcutaneous dosing
- Potential for superior weight loss vs GLP-1 monotherapy
- Side Effects
- Potential for excessive muscle growth if doses are not controlled
- FSH suppression with implications for fertility in women
- Theoretical risk of cardiac hypertrophy with prolonged high-dose use
- Limited human safety data available
- +1 more
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- +3 more
- Stacks With
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