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Lexicon

Muscle & performance

PEG-MGF

The PEGylated, longer-lasting variant of MGF, meant for systemic rather than purely local effect, also without human data.

2 min read 1 sources Calculator Updated May 2026
Class
PEGylated IGF-1Ec (MGF)
Use
Subcutaneous (in mcg)
Half-life
longer than MGF (PEGylated)
Status
Preclinical, no human data

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Equipment

Equipment you need

For reconstitution and injection you need a bit of basic gear. Here are solid, cheap options:

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What is PEG-MGF?

PEG-MGF is MGF with attached PEG chains (PEGylation). These protect the molecule from fast breakdown, so PEG-MGF lasts markedly longer than the very short-lived normal MGF. The idea: a systemic rather than only local effect, with less frequent injections.

As with normal MGF: the human data is thin, most comes from mechanistic understanding.

How it works

PEG-MGF acts like MGF via activating satellite cells in muscle, just longer, because PEGylation slows breakdown. This allows less frequent dosing (for example twice a week) instead of the time-critical post-workout shot of normal MGF.

What you need

  • The PEG-MGF vial (lyophilized powder).
  • Bacteriostatic water, U-100 insulin syringes, alcohol swabs.

Reconstitution

Use the calculator above. A 2mg vial with 1ml water gives 2000mcg per ml, 200mcg is then 10 units on the U-100 syringe. Just add the water to the vial and let it dissolve.

Dosing

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Injection

Subcutaneous into the subcutaneous fat. Disinfect the site, pinch a skin fold, rotate sites.

What the research shows

The basis is the same as for MGF (Hill & Goldspink, 2003): MGF activates satellite cells after tissue damage. PEGylation is a pharmacological modification to extend duration. There are no standalone human studies on PEG-MGF, it is experimental.

Side effects

  • Solid human data are missing.
  • Local reactions at the injection site.
  • As with IGF-related compounds, a growth-promoting signal is theoretically critical with pre-existing growths.

Practice

  • Keep expectations low, the effect in humans is not established.
  • The only advantage over MGF is the longer duration (less frequent dosing).
  • Banned in official competition.

Storage

Before mixing the powder is robust, normal room temperature (around 20 to 25 degrees) is fine, ideally kept in the dark. After mixing, keep in the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), do not freeze. It stays good there for at least 8 to 10 weeks with barely any loss of potency, in practice considerably longer. Swirl or shake to mix, both are fine.

Evidence

Sources

  1. 1 MGF as an IGF-1 splice variant activates muscle satellite cells after tissue damage (preclinical). Hill & Goldspink, The Journal of Physiology, 2003

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Sizes, prices and availability for research use. Straight from the lexicon to the product page.

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