CJC-1295 DAC

In simple words

CJC-1295 with DAC is a man-made copy of a natural signal that tells the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. Because it attaches to a blood protein, it works for almost a week, so it is studied as an option that needs only infrequent doses.

What this molecule is

29 aa (sermorelin backbone) + Drug Affinity Complex (maleimidocaproic acid → covalent bond with albumin). T½ ~6-8 days. ~3647 Da.

Why it is studied

Long-acting GHRH analog. 1 injection → GH ×2-10 for 6+ days, IGF-1 ×1.5-3 for 9-11 days. Convenient for infrequent dosing. Less physiological than Mod-GRF because of the constant GH background.

How it works

GHRHR → cAMP → ↑GH. DAC conjugation to serum albumin extends T½ from 30 min to 6-8 days. Continuous stimulation (vs pulsatile with Mod-GRF) is a trade-off between convenience and physiological fidelity.

Doses used in studies

Studies used 1-2 mg SC 1-2 times a week; daily administration was not required. It was often combined with Ipamorelin (2-3 times/day).

Combined with in studies

• Ipamorelin — GHRH+GHRP: different receptors → ↑↑ GH amplitude
• GHRP-2 — stronger, but ↑cortisol
• AOD-9604 — GH axis + direct lipolysis

Level of evidence

Level A Human clinical trials. There are randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or the compound has been approved by a regulatory agency. The most reliable level. 2 human RCTs (J Clin Endocrinol Metab). Not approved.

Important to know

⚠️ Constant GH background (less physiological vs pulses). Not approved. Dosing discrepancy: 1-2 mg/week (clinical) vs 100-200 mcg (some protocols). Research only.

Studies in PubMed

1. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006)
2. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006)
3. Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects. (Growth Horm IGF Res, 2009)
4. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2006)
5. Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs. (Drug Test Anal, 2021)