The history of IGF-1 peptide research dates back to the early 1900s, when scientists first began to study the effects of growth hormone on animal development. In the 1950s, researchers discovered that growth hormone stimulates the production of another hormone, which they called somatomedin. Somatomedin was later identified as IGF-1.
In the 1960s and 1970s, researchers began to study the role of IGF-1 in human growth and development. They discovered that IGF-1 is essential for normal growth in children and adolescents. They also found that IGF-1 levels decline with age, and that this may be a factor in age-related problems, such as muscle loss, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of disease.
In the 1980s and 1990s, researchers developed methods for producing synthetic IGF-1. This made it possible to study the effects of IGF-1 in more detail and to develop IGF-1-based therapies for a variety of conditions.
One of the first IGF-1-based therapies to be developed was human growth hormone (hGH) therapy. hGH therapy is used to treat children with growth hormone deficiency and adults with certain diseases, such as AIDS and Prader-Willi syndrome.
IGF-1 therapy has also been investigated for the treatment of a variety of other conditions, including:
- Muscle wasting
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease
IGF-1 therapy has shown promising results in some studies, but more research is needed to determine its safety and efficacy for the treatment of these conditions.
Challenges of IGF-1 therapy
One of the challenges of IGF-1 therapy is that IGF-1 can have both anabolic (growth-promoting) and mitogenic (cell-dividing) effects. This means that IGF-1 therapy could potentially increase the risk of cancer.
Another challenge of IGF-1 therapy is that IGF-1 is a large molecule that is not easily absorbed from the gut. This means that IGF-1 therapy must be administered by injection.
Future of IGF-1 research
Despite the challenges, IGF-1 remains a promising target for developing new therapies to improve health and longevity. Researchers are working to develop new IGF-1-based therapies that are safer and more effective than current therapies.
One area of active research is the development of IGF-1 mimetics. IGF-1 mimetics are small molecules that mimic the effects of IGF-1 without the potential side effects. IGF-1 mimetics could be administered orally, which would make them more convenient to take than injectable IGF-1 therapy.
Another area of active research is the development of IGF-1 delivery systems. Researchers are developing new ways to deliver IGF-1 to the body that are more effective and less invasive than current methods.
The history of IGF-1 peptide research is a long and complex one. Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the role of IGF-1 in human health and disease. However, more research is needed to develop safe and effective IGF-1-based therapies for a variety of conditions.
