CJC-1295: GHRH Analog Research Guide (No DAC vs. With DAC)

<p>CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) — a 29-amino acid peptide that stimulates GH release from pituitary somatotrophs. CJC-1295 was developed with the goal of extending the half-life of native GHRH (which degrades rapidly in plasma) through strategic amino acid substitutions and, in one formulation, addition of a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) technology enabling covalent albumin binding.</p><h2>Two Research Formulations: No DAC vs. With DAC</h2><h3>CJC-1295 Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29)</h3><p>CJC-1295 without the Drug Affinity Complex (also called Modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF) is a GHRH analog with a half-life of approximately 30 minutes — substantially longer than native GHRH (less than 7 minutes) but still mimicking a pulsatile release pattern. In preclinical models, this formulation produces defined GH pulses more consistent with natural physiological pulsatility.</p><h3>CJC-1295 With DAC</h3><p>The DAC-containing formulation creates a covalent bond with lysine residues on albumin, extending the half-life to approximately 7-10 days in animal models. This formulation produces a sustained, more continuous GH release pattern — a fundamentally different pharmacokinetic profile useful for studying sustained GH axis activation vs. pulsatile models.</p><h2>GHRH Receptor Mechanism</h2><p>Both CJC-1295 formulations act at the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) on pituitary somatotrophs. GHRH-R is a Gs-coupled GPCR that activates adenylyl cyclase, increasing cAMP and ultimately stimulating GH synthesis and secretion. The structural modifications in CJC-1295 improve metabolic stability at key dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) cleavage sites that rapidly degrade native GHRH.</p><h2>Research Applications</h2><ul><li>GHRH receptor activation studies in pituitary cell models</li><li>Pulsatile vs. sustained GH release comparison research</li><li>Growth hormone axis kinetics research</li><li>IGF-1 pathway studies in preclinical models</li><li>Combination studies with ipamorelin for dual-pathway GH axis research</li></ul><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><p>Q: What is the key difference between CJC-1295 with and without DAC?</p><p>A: The DAC formulation creates albumin binding that extends half-life to approximately 7-10 days (sustained GH release). Without DAC, the half-life is approximately 30 minutes, producing a pulsatile GH release model. The choice depends on which research model is more relevant to your protocol.</p><p>Q: Why is CJC-1295 no DAC called Mod GRF 1-29?</p><p>A: Mod GRF 1-29 is an alternative name for CJC-1295 without DAC, reflecting its derivation from modified GRF (growth hormone releasing factor) residues 1-29.</p><p>Related: CJC-1295 No DAC Product → | CJC-1295 With DAC Product → | CJC-1295/Ipamorelin Blend → | Ipamorelin Research Guide →</p>