CJC-1295 W/DAC
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Long-acting GHRH analog with Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) modification that covalently binds serum albumin, extending the half-life to ~8 days for sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation.
Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | CJC-1295 with DAC, CJC-1295 DAC, Modified GRF(1-29) with DAC |
| Category | GH Axis / Anti-Aging |
| Sequence | Tyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Gln-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Leu-Ser-Arg + MPA-DAC conjugate |
| Molecular Weight | ~3647 Da (peptide) + DAC linker |
| Molecular Formula | Modified GRF(1-29) with maleimidopropionic acid (MPA) reactive group |
| PubChem CID | 56841945 |
| Administration | SubQ |
| Typical Dose Range | 1-2 mg per week (single injection) |
| Half-Life | ~8 days (192 hours) |
| Storage | Lyophilized: -20C long-term; 2-8C short-term. Reconstituted: 2-8C for 2-3 weeks |
| FDA Status | Research only (not approved) |
| WADA Status | Prohibited S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors) |
Mechanism of Action
CJC-1295 W/DAC is built on the same base peptide as CJC-1295 NO DAC — a modified version of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) residues 1-29 with four amino acid substitutions (positions 2, 8, 15, 27) to resist DPP-IV degradation. The critical difference is the addition of a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC): a reactive maleimidopropionic acid (MPA) group that, upon injection, covalently binds to free thiol groups on the surface of circulating serum albumin (PMID: 15817669).
This albumin conjugation dramatically extends the half-life from ~30 minutes (NO DAC version) to approximately 8 days, creating a fundamentally different pharmacokinetic profile. Instead of producing acute GH pulses (as the NO DAC version does), CJC-1295 W/DAC produces sustained, continuously elevated GH and IGF-1 levels for 6-11 days after a single injection (PMID: 16352683).
After subcutaneous injection, the MPA-DAC group rapidly conjugates with albumin (>90% binding within hours). The albumin-bound peptide complex continues to bind and activate GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating GH synthesis and secretion. A single dose produces dose-dependent GH increases of 2-10 fold and IGF-1 increases of 1.5-3 fold that persist for 6-11 days (PMID: 16352683).
Importantly, pulsatile GH secretion is preserved even with sustained GHRH receptor stimulation (PMID: 17018654), as somatostatin feedback continues to modulate GH release. This distinguishes CJC-1295 W/DAC from exogenous GH, which suppresses endogenous GH pulsatility.
Key Research Areas
- Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation — Single injection produces 6-11 day GH/IGF-1 elevation in humans (PMID: 16352683)
- DAC bioconjugation technology — Novel albumin-binding approach for peptide half-life extension (PMID: 15817669)
- Preservation of GH pulsatility — Despite sustained GHRH stimulation, natural GH pulse pattern maintained (PMID: 17018654)
- GH axis normalization — Restores GH secretion in GHRH knockout mice (PMID: 16822960)
- Proteomics of GH/IGF-1 activation — Serum protein changes reflecting GH-IGF-1 axis activation (PMID: 19386527)
Evidence Level Summary
| Evidence Type | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Human RCTs | 2 | Phase 1/2 PK studies in healthy adults |
| Human observational | 1 | Serum protein profiling |
| Animal in vivo | 2 | GHRH knockout mice; GH release characterization |
| In vitro | 1 | Receptor binding / albumin conjugation |
| Systematic reviews | 0 | None published |
CJC-1295 W/DAC vs NO DAC Comparison
| Property | W/DAC | NO DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | ~8 days | ~30 minutes |
| Dosing frequency | 1x/week | 1-3x/day |
| GH profile | Sustained elevation | Acute pulse |
| GH pulsatility | Blunted but preserved | Preserved (mimics natural) |
| IGF-1 effect | Sustained elevation | Transient increase |
| Clinical preference | Anti-aging, sustained GH | Body composition, pulse-based |
| Combination | Rarely combined with GHRPs | Often combined with Ipamorelin |
Clinical Applications
- Anti-Aging — Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation for anti-aging benefits
- Sarcopenia — Lean mass preservation through GH axis support
- Fat Loss — Lipolytic effects via sustained GH elevation
- Bone Density — IGF-1 mediated bone metabolism support
- Recovery — Tissue repair via sustained GH/IGF-1 signaling
Protocols Using This Peptide
Ageless Peps Products
- AP-CJC1295-WDAC-Vial — CJC-1295 W/DAC Vial
Dosing Reference
Research Dosing Ranges (from literature)
| Route | Dose Range | Frequency | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SubQ | 30-60 mcg/kg | Single dose | N/A (PK study) | PMID 16352683 |
| SubQ | 1-2 mg | Once weekly | Ongoing | Clinical practice consensus |
| SubQ | 2 mg | Once weekly | 8-12 weeks | Practitioner guides |
Cycling
Due to the sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation, cycling is generally recommended to prevent tachyphylaxis and potential long-term safety concerns. Common protocols: 8-12 weeks on / 4 weeks off; or 12 weeks on / 4-6 weeks off. The long half-life means GH levels remain elevated for ~2 weeks after the last injection.
Contraindications & Safety
- Contraindications: Active malignancy (GH promotes cell proliferation), diabetic retinopathy, acromegaly, pituitary tumors
- Common side effects: Injection site reactions (redness, swelling), water retention, headache, joint stiffness, transient flushing
- Drug interactions: May affect insulin sensitivity; monitor glucose in diabetic patients. Additive GH elevation with other secretagogues.
- Pregnancy/nursing: Contraindicated
- Special populations: Monitor IGF-1 levels; sustained elevation above reference range warrants dose reduction. Thyroid function should be assessed (GH can unmask central hypothyroidism). PSA monitoring in males over 40.
- Key safety difference from NO DAC: The sustained GH elevation (vs pulsatile) may carry different long-term risk profile. Some practitioners prefer the NO DAC version for this reason.
Synergistic Combinations
- Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 W DAC — GHRH + GHRP dual stimulation (though less commonly paired than with NO DAC version due to sustained release)
- Sermorelin — Alternative GHRH; typically used as either/or rather than combined
- MOTS-C + CJC-1295 W DAC — GH axis + mitochondrial metabolic support
Related Research
| PMID | Title | Year | Study Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMID-15817669 – CJC-1295 Discovery and Identification | Discovery of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog | 2006 | Animal in vivo |
| PMID-16352683 – Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-lik | Prolonged GH and IGF-1 stimulation by CJC-1295 in healthy adults | 2006 | RCT |
| PMID-17018654 – CJC-1295 Pulsatile GH Secretion in Humans | Pulsatile GH secretion persists with CJC-1295 | 2006 | RCT |
| PMID-16822960 – CJC-1295 Normalizes Growth in GHRH Knockout Mice | CJC-1295 normalizes growth in GHRH knockout mice | 2006 | Animal in vivo |
| PMID-19386527 – CJC-1295 GH-IGF-1 Axis Serum Protein Changes | GH-IGF-1 axis activation serum protein profiling | 2009 | Observational |
References
- PMID 15817669 — Jette et al., Endocrinology 2005 (DAC identification)
- PMID 16352683 — Teichman et al., JCEM 2006 (human PK)
- PMID 17018654 — Ionescu & Bhatt, JCEM 2006 (pulsatile GH)
- PMID 16822960 — Alba et al., JCEM 2006 (GHRH KO mice)
- PMID 19386527 — Sackmann-Sala et al., Growth Horm IGF Res 2009 (proteomics)
Related
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