CJC-1295 with DAC 5mg

About CJC-1295 with DAC 5mg

CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), consisting of the first 29 amino acids of the native GHRH sequence with four amino acid substitutions designed to improve metabolic stability, plus a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that dramatically extends its circulating half-life. The DAC component — a maleimidopropionic acid moiety — reacts with albumin’s Cys34 residue to form a stable covalent bond, extending the peptide’s half-life from minutes to approximately 6–8 days. This makes it one of the longest-acting GHRH analogues available for research.

The peptide acts by binding to and activating the GHRH receptor on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland, stimulating the release of endogenous growth hormone. The amino acid substitutions at positions 2, 8, 15, and 27 of the native GHRH (1-29) sequence protect the peptide from enzymatic degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) and other proteases that would otherwise rapidly inactivate the native sequence. Combined with the albumin-binding DAC modification, these substitutions produce a compound with both enhanced stability and sustained activity — a profile that has made it particularly valuable in research protocols requiring prolonged GH axis stimulation without frequent dosing.

Research Summary

The pharmacological development and characterisation of CJC-1295 DAC was reported by Teichman et al. in studies that established its unique pharmacokinetic profile. By incorporating the Drug Affinity Complex — a maleimidopropionic acid moiety that reacts with albumin’s Cys34 residue to form a stable covalent bond — the peptide achieves a dramatically extended circulating half-life, estimated at approximately 6 to 8 days compared with the 30-minute half-life of the non-DAC form. Teichman et al. demonstrated that a single subcutaneous injection of CJC-1295 DAC produced sustained elevations in both GH and IGF-1 levels lasting up to two weeks, with GH levels remaining elevated 2- to 10-fold above baseline and IGF-1 levels increasing by 1.5- to 3-fold. These findings confirmed that the albumin-binding strategy could successfully transform a short-acting GHRH analogue into a long-duration GH axis stimulant.

The DAC modification produces a sustained elevation in baseline GH levels due to the peptide’s continuous presence in circulation over several days. This pharmacokinetic profile distinguishes it from shorter-acting GHRH analogues that produce discrete GH pulses. The sustained pattern of GH stimulation has become a valuable feature in research protocols designed to investigate prolonged GH axis activation, downstream IGF-1 dynamics, and the tissue-level consequences of extended GH exposure — questions that are difficult to study with compounds requiring frequent administration.

The complementary mechanism between CJC-1295 and GHS-R1a agonists such as ipamorelin has been a major focus of research interest. Endogenous GH secretion is regulated by two primary stimulatory inputs — GHRH acting through the GHRH receptor, and ghrelin acting through GHS-R1a — which converge on the somatotroph cell through distinct intracellular signalling pathways. GHRH activates the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway, while ghrelin receptor agonists signal through the phospholipase C/IP3/calcium pathway. These pathways act synergistically at the cellular level, meaning that simultaneous activation of both receptors produces a GH response greater than the sum of either stimulus alone. This synergistic relationship provides the mechanistic rationale for combining CJC-1295 (particularly the non-DAC form) with ipamorelin in research protocols.

The practical advantages of the DAC form’s extended half-life are significant for research design. Its less frequent dosing requirements reduce handling variables and produce more stable pharmacokinetics across multi-day protocols. Studies in rodent models have demonstrated that the temporal pattern of GH exposure influences hepatic gene expression, sexual dimorphism of GH-responsive pathways, and the ratio of direct GH effects versus IGF-1-mediated effects. CJC-1295 with DAC’s sustained profile makes it particularly suited to protocols where the research question centres on prolonged GH axis activation rather than acute pulsatile stimulation.

Research into the GH/IGF-1 axis effects of CJC-1295 has encompassed body composition, bone metabolism, and tissue repair. By stimulating endogenous GH production rather than introducing exogenous GH, CJC-1295 maintains the natural regulatory feedback loops of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, including somatostatin-mediated inhibition. This feature is shared with tesamorelin and distinguishes GHRH-based approaches from direct GH administration. The resulting GH and IGF-1 elevations have been studied for their effects on lipolysis, lean mass, and metabolic parameters, contributing to a growing body of literature on the downstream consequences of GHRH receptor activation.

CJC-1295 with DAC remains one of the most well-characterised long-acting GHRH analogues available for research. Its clearly defined mechanism, extended pharmacokinetic profile, and established synergy with GHS-R1a agonists make it a foundational compound in growth hormone research. As interest in sustained GH axis modulation continues to grow across metabolic, musculoskeletal, and body composition research, CJC-1295 with DAC is well-positioned as a key tool in these investigations.