Overview
After subcutaneous injection, CJC-1295 DAC is absorbed into lymphatics and capillaries, where it rapidly conjugates to circulating albumin. Albumin-bound CJC-1295 acts as a slow-release reservoir: the intact peptide slowly dissociates and activates pituitary GHRHR over 1–2 weeks. GH secretion drives hepatic IGF-1 synthesis (IGF-1 t½ ~12–15 hours, further extended by IGF-binding proteins). Elevated IGF-1 activates PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 and MAPK/ERK pathways in skeletal muscle, promoting protein synthesis and satellite cell activation. Concomitant lipolysis in adipose tissue occurs via GH-mediated HSL activation, reducing triglyceride stores. GH also antagonizes insulin signaling at the post-receptor level, potentially worsening insulin sensitivity with prolonged supraphysiologic levels.
Proposed mechanism
CJC-1295 with DAC binds to and activates GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells, stimulating pulsatile release of growth hormone. The DAC moiety — a maleimidoproprionic acid (MPA) linker — reacts with a lysine residue on serum albumin via a Michael addition, creating a covalent bond that prevents rapid renal clearance and proteolytic degradation. This albumin binding extends the half-life to approximately 6–8 days, resulting in sustained, supraphysiologic GH and IGF-1 elevation compared to native GHRH.
What the evidence supports
Human data exists but the trials are small, short-term, or not yet replicated.
Graded Human-limited
Human data that exists but is thin: open-label work, single-arm studies, small cohorts, or observational follow-up without randomisation.
Key citations
Representative primary sources, including results that did not favour the compound.
- [1]
Teichman SL et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults
· Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(3):799-805. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2005-1258 · 2006
- [2]
Ionescu M & Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog
· Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(12):4792-4797. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2006-1702 · 2006
- [3]
Alba M et al. Once-monthly administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse
· American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 291(6):E1290-4. DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00201.2006 · 2006
Citation records in this build are illustrative placeholders for the design.
Reference information for research purposes. Not medical advice, and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many entries describe substances that are not approved for human use.