MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) vs Larazotide Acetate
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Anabolic & IGF
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)Recovery & Repair
Larazotide Acetate- 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.
- Larazotide acetate is an 8-amino acid peptide (Gly-Gly-Val-Leu-Val-Gln-Pro-Gly) derived from Zonula Occludens Toxin (ZOT) of Vibrio cholerae. It paradoxically acts as a ZOT antagonist to close tight junctions and reduce intestinal permeability ('leaky gut'). It is the most advanced clinical compound targeting gut permeability directly.
- Half-Life
- Native MGF: minutes. PEG-MGF: ~3 days
- Local gut action; minimal systemic exposure
- Admin Route
- SubQ, IM
- Oral
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 200–400 mcg
- 0.5-2 mg
- Frequency
- 1–2 times per week
- 3x daily
- 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
- Directly reduces intestinal tight junction permeability
- Clinical efficacy in celiac disease (Phase 3 trials)
- Reduces systemic inflammation from gut permeability
- Targets root cause of leaky gut (Zonulin pathway)
- Local gut action without systemic absorption
- Potential application in IBS, IBD, autoimmune conditions
- Side Effects
- Muscle soreness (satellite cell activation)
- Injection site irritation
- Hypoglycemia risk (modest, less than IGF-1 LR3)
- Headache (mild, dose-dependent)
- Nausea (rare)
- Well-tolerated overall in clinical trials
- Stacks With
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