CJC-1295: A Long-Acting GHRH Analogue for Growth Hormone Axis Research
Research Use Only. This article is for scientific and educational reference only. All products are sold for research purposes and are not intended for human or animal consumption.
Overview
CJC-1295 (CAS 863288-34-0) is a tetra-substituted 30-amino acid peptide analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that incorporates a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) technology — a maleimidoproprionic acid (MPA) moiety that enables covalent binding to circulating albumin following subcutaneous administration. This albumin binding dramatically extends the peptide's plasma half-life from minutes (as seen with native GHRH) to approximately 6–8 days, enabling sustained stimulation of the GH/IGF-1 axis with infrequent dosing.
The peptide's molecular weight is approximately 3,647 Da. It should be distinguished from CJC-1295 without DAC (also known as Modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF 1-29), which lacks the albumin-binding moiety and has a shorter half-life of approximately 30 minutes.
Mechanism of Action
CJC-1295 binds to GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating the synthesis and pulsatile secretion of endogenous growth hormone. The DAC modification allows the peptide to form a covalent bond with the cysteine-34 residue of albumin in plasma, creating a depot that slowly releases active peptide over days. This mechanism maintains elevated GH pulse amplitude and frequency over an extended period.
The resulting sustained elevation of GH stimulates hepatic IGF-1 production, which mediates downstream anabolic effects including protein synthesis, lipolysis, and tissue repair. Because CJC-1295 acts on the pituitary rather than delivering exogenous GH, the hypothalamic-pituitary feedback axis remains partially intact, though the extended half-life does reduce the degree of pulsatility compared to shorter-acting GHRH analogues.
Key Research Findings
A Phase 2 clinical study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2006) demonstrated that CJC-1295 produced dose-dependent increases in mean plasma GH concentrations (2–10 fold above baseline) and IGF-1 levels (1.5–3 fold above baseline) that were sustained for 6 days following a single injection. Multiple doses produced cumulative increases in IGF-1 that persisted for up to 28 days.
Research in animal models has explored CJC-1295's effects on body composition, demonstrating reductions in fat mass and increases in lean mass consistent with GH axis stimulation. Studies have also investigated its potential in models of GH deficiency, aging-associated GH decline, and muscle wasting conditions. The combination of CJC-1295 with GHRP peptides (particularly ipamorelin) has been studied as a synergistic approach to GH axis stimulation.
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value | |---|---| | Molecular Weight | ~3,647 Da | | CAS Number | 863288-34-0 | | Modification | Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) | | Form | Lyophilized powder | | Purity (research grade) | ≥99% HPLC | | Storage | −20°C, protect from light |
Research Considerations
CJC-1295 is supplied as a lyophilized powder requiring reconstitution with bacteriostatic water. The extended half-life of CJC-1295 with DAC must be accounted for in research protocol design, particularly when measuring GH pulse patterns or IGF-1 kinetics. Researchers should note that the sustained GH elevation produced by CJC-1295 differs mechanistically from the pulsatile stimulation produced by shorter-acting GHRH analogues, and study endpoints should be selected accordingly.
Research Use Only. This article is for scientific and educational reference. All products are sold for research purposes only and are not intended for human or animal consumption.