CJC-1295 DAC Peptide

CJC-1295 DAC is a synthetic peptide analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that may increase endogenous growth hormone (GH) production. It consists of a modified 29–amino acid sequence—the shortest functional GHRH fragment capable of stimulating GH release from somatotroph cells in the pituitary.(1)

Four amino acids are substituted to improve stability and pharmacokinetics. The addition of the Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) further extends the peptide’s half-life by enabling binding to plasma proteins. This modification involves attaching a lysine derivative (N-epsilon-3-maleimidopropionamide) to the C-terminus, potentially extending half-life to ~8 days while maintaining strong GHRH receptor affinity.(2)

CJC-1295 without DAC is also studied, often combined with peptides like Ipamorelin to potentially enhance GH release via synergistic activation of GHRH and ghrelin receptors.(3)

Overview

Also known as DAC:GRF, long-acting GHRH analog, or synthetic GHRH analog, CJC-1295 DAC is studied for its potential to:

• Promote fat utilization and reduce fat mass

• Support muscle growth through protein synthesis

• Improve bone density and connective tissue integrity

• Influence sleep regulation via central nervous system pathways(4)

Chemical Makeup

Molecular Formula: C152H252N44O42

• Molecular Weight: 3367.95 g/mol

• Other Name: Tetrasubstituted GRF 1–29 with DAC

Research and Clinical Studies

CJC-1295 DAC Peptide Mechanism of Action

Clinical studies (2006) showed that CJC-1295 DAC administration increased GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels.(5) The peptide may stimulate GH release, which then promotes IGF-1 production primarily in the liver.

This process may involve activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, leading to transcription of the IGF-1 gene. IGF-1 is considered a key mediator of growth, supporting protein synthesis, tissue growth, and cellular proliferation.

CJC-1295 DAC Peptide Half-life

In its original form, CJC-1295 DAC uses a technology referred to as Drug Affinity Complex (DAC).⁽¹⁾ Contrary to GHRH, which is considered to boast a half-life of approximately 7 minutes, researchers report CJC-1295 without DAC to exhibit a longer half-life of 30 minutes due to its truncated 29 amino acid fragment, and 4 of the original amino acids in this fragment are replaced. Alterations to the peptide structure, specifically at the 2nd, 8th, 15th, and 27th amino acid positions, are thought to potentially improve the peptide's stability against breakdown by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4. These alterations are detailed as follows:

• At the 2nd position, L-alanine is substituted by D-alanine, a change believed to bolster resistance against enzymatic degradation.

• At the 8th position, asparagine is replaced with glutamine, a modification that might reduce the risk of asparagine rearrangement and amide hydrolysis.

• The substitution of glycine with alanine at the 15th position is theorized to enhance the peptide's bioactivity.

• The alteration from methionine to leucine at the 27th position is considered to potentially prevent methionine oxidation.

These modifications aim to enhance the peptide's resilience and functional efficacy by mitigating enzymatic degradation and improving stability under physiological conditions. In addition, the half-life of the peptide appears to be additionally extended to 6-8 days due to the DAC technology.⁽¹⁰⁾

CJC-1295 DAC Peptide Ancillary Studies

In 2005, a clinical study aimed to evaluate the mechanism of action of CJC-1295 DAC in models of immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated with visceral obesity. In this study, the models would be presented with CJC-1295 DAC for 3 months, followed by a 6-week follow-up period. However, this study was terminated during recruitment, and no related results were posted.⁽¹¹⁾

According to a 2009 Norwegian study, a compound was submitted for analysis to evaluate whether it contained prohibited substances or not. The researchers of the Norwegian Doping Control Laboratory and School of Pharmacy reported that this substance was CJC-1295 DAC. In their published article they concluded that "CJC-1295 DAC is a releasing factor for growth hormone".⁽¹⁾

CJC-1295 DAC peptide is available for research and laboratory purposes only.