MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) vs FOXO4-DRI
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Anabolic & IGF
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)Anti-Aging & Longevity
FOXO4-DRI- Summary
- MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 that is locally produced in muscle tissue in response to mechanical damage from exercise. It activates muscle satellite cells (stem cells) to proliferate and repair damaged fibers, making it specifically targeted at exercise-induced hypertrophy.
- FOXO4-DRI is a D-retro-inverso peptide derived from the FOXO4 protein that selectively induces apoptosis in senescent cells. By disrupting the FOXO4-p53 interaction that keeps senescent cells alive, it triggers programmed cell death specifically in these aging, pro-inflammatory cells while sparing healthy tissue.
- Half-Life
- Native MGF: minutes. PEG-MGF: ~3 days
- Estimated 2-4 hours (D-amino acid confers resistance to proteolysis)
- Admin Route
- SubQ, IM
- Subcutaneous, Intraperitoneal (research)
- Research
- —
- —
- Typical Dose
- 200–400 mcg
- 5 mg/kg in rodent studies; human equivalent approximately 0.5-1 mg/kg
- Frequency
- 1–2 times per week
- 3 consecutive days per cycle
- Key Benefits
- Activates muscle satellite cells for repair and growth
- Accelerates recovery from muscle damage
- Synergistic with IGF-1 LR3 (different mechanisms)
- Promotes muscle hypertrophy specifically at exercised muscles
- Faster recovery between training sessions
- Potential for injury repair in connective tissue
- Selectively clears senescent cells (senolytics)
- Reduces senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and chronic inflammation
- Demonstrated restoration of physical fitness in aged mice
- May improve healthspan and reduce age-related tissue dysfunction
- Potential for treatment of age-related pathologies driven by cellular senescence
- Does not affect healthy non-senescent cells at therapeutic doses
- Side Effects
- Muscle soreness (satellite cell activation)
- Injection site irritation
- Hypoglycemia risk (modest, less than IGF-1 LR3)
- Limited human data; largely preclinical evidence
- Possible temporary inflammatory response as senescent cells are cleared (senolytic effect)
- Weight loss observed at high doses in rodent studies
- Unknown long-term safety profile in humans
- Stacks With
- —
- —