CJC-1295 DAC is a synthetic analog of growth hormone releasing hormone developed for prolonged stimulation of GH secretion and increased IGF-1 levels. Due to the presence of the DAC complex, the peptide binds to albumin, which significantly increases the duration of its circulation and distinguishes it from the shorter-acting forms of GHRH. In research, CJC-1295 DAC is considered as a promising peptide for studying the regulation of the somatotropic axis, age-related changes, body composition, regenerative processes, and metabolic adaptation. In clinical studies in healthy adults, it demonstrated a dose-dependent and prolonged increase in GH and IGF–1 after subcutaneous administration, with an estimated half-life of approximately 5.8-8.1 days. 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 | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | Oxford Academic

Stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-1
The main research area of CJC-1295 DAC is related to its ability to enhance the physiological secretion of growth hormone through activation of the GHRH receptor in the pituitary gland. Unlike exogenous GH, the peptide acts through endogenous regulation of the somatotropic axis, increasing GH and IGF-1 levels without continuous continuous administration. In placebo-controlled studies, a single administration of CJC-1295 caused an increase in average GH concentrations by 2-10 times for a period of 6 days or more, and IGF-1 by 1.5–3 times for up to 9-11 days. Upon repeated administration, IGF-1 levels remained above baseline for up to 28 days, which confirms the pronounced prolonged effect of the drug. 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 | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | Oxford Academic

Prolonged action and DAC modification
The key feature of CJC-1295 DAC is the presence of the Drug Affinity Complex, which ensures covalent binding of the peptide to circulating albumin. It was this mechanism that was used to prolong the residence time of the molecule in plasma and increase its bioavailability compared to unmodified analogues of GHRH 1-29. Preclinical studies have shown that CJC-1295 persists in the bloodstream significantly longer than the initial hGRF (1-29), and clinical studies have confirmed its multi-day pharmacological activity after a single injection. Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog - PubMed

Metabolic research and body composition
Due to the activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis, CJC-1295 DAC is studied in the context of metabolic regulation, lipid metabolism, and changes in body composition. Growth hormone and IGF-1 are closely related to the mobilization of fat reserves, protein metabolism, and anabolic processes, so prolonged GHRH analogues are of interest in models of age-related decline in somatotropic function and disorders of adipose tissue distribution. A separate clinical program also studied CJC-1295 in patients with HIV-associated visceral obesity, which further highlights the interest in the peptide as a tool for studying metabolic changes. CJC-1295 - Drug Targets, Indications, Patents - Synapse

Regenerative and anabolic processes
Since the GH/IGF-1 axis plays an important role in tissue remodeling, protein synthesis, and regenerative reactions, CJC-1295 DAC is also being considered in studies of post-exercise recovery, age-related anabolism reduction, and slowing tissue metabolism. Experimental models show that activation of GH/IGF-1 by CJC-1295 is accompanied by changes in serum biomarkers characteristic of increased somatotropic activity. In preclinical studies on animals, prolonged administration of CJC-1295 normalized growth in GHRH deficiency models, which confirms its pronounced biological effect on the growth axis. 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 - PMC

Pharmacokinetics and research value
CJC-1295 DAC is of particular interest precisely as a long-acting form of the GHRH analog. If short peptides of this class require more frequent administration, the DAC modification makes it possible to study sustained stimulation of the somatotropic axis for several days after a single injection. This makes the molecule convenient for research protocols, where a stable increase in IGF-1, a decrease in the frequency of administration, and predictable pharmacokinetics are important. According to clinical studies, the drug was measurable in plasma several days after administration, and its effect persisted significantly longer compared with unmodified forms of GHRH. 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 | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | Oxford Academic

Links

1. Teichman, S. L., Neale, A., Lawrence, B., Gagnon, C., Castaigne, J. P., & Frohman, L. A. (2006). 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. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(3), 799-805.
2. Jetté, L., Leger, R., Thibaudeau, K., Benquet, C., Robitaille, M., Pellerin, I., Paradis, V., van Wyk, P., Pham, K., Bridon, D., & others. (2005). Human growth hormone-releasing factor hGRF(1-29)-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog. Endocrinology, 146(7), 3052-3058.
3. Sackmann-Sala, L., Berryman, D. E., Lubbers, E., De Luca, F., & Kopchick, J. J. (2009). Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult mice. Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 19(6), 471-477.
4. Alba, M., Fintini, D., Sagazio, A., Lawrence, B., Castaigne, J. P., Frohman, L. A., & Salvatori, R. (2006). Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism, 291(6), E1290-E1294.
5. Uçaktürk, E., Guddat, S., Tsivou, M., Thomas, A., Geyer, H., Schänzer, W., & Thevis, M. (2024). Analysis of growth hormone releasing hormone and analogs in human urine and plasma for anti-doping purposes. Drug Testing and Analysis.