Research notes
Research peptides: methods, documentation and published science
Plain-language, referenced articles for researchers. They summarize published literature and are for education only.
October 24, 2026 · 3 min read
Retatrutide: what the published phase 2 research shows about a triple-agonist peptide
A research overview of retatrutide, an investigational GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist, and what its published phase 2 trials reported.
Retatrutide · Metabolic research
October 21, 2026 · 2 min read
Tirzepatide: a research overview of the GIP and GLP-1 dual agonist
How tirzepatide acts on two incretin receptors, and what the SURMOUNT-1 phase 3 trial and later reviews report about it.
Tirzepatide · Metabolic research
October 17, 2026 · 2 min read
Cagrilintide and CagriSema: an amylin analogue studied alongside semaglutide
What cagrilintide is, why researchers pair an amylin analogue with a GLP-1 agonist, and what the REDEFINE 1 phase 3 trial reported.
Cagrilintide · Metabolic research
October 14, 2026 · 2 min read
SS-31 (elamipretide): how a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide interacts with cardiolipin
A research overview of SS-31, also called elamipretide, covering its binding to cardiolipin, effects on mitochondrial membranes, and clinical program.
SS-31 · Mitochondria
October 10, 2026 · 2 min read
Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue and visceral fat research
What tesamorelin is, how it acts on the growth hormone axis, and what the published HIV lipodystrophy trials report about visceral adipose tissue.
Tesamorelin · Growth hormone axis
October 7, 2026 · 2 min read
Thymosin alpha-1: the thymic peptide and immune modulation research
A summary of reviews on thymosin alpha-1, a peptide first isolated from thymic tissue, and how it is reported to act on dendritic cells and T cells.
Thymosin alpha-1 · Immune function
October 3, 2026 · 2 min read
Epitalon: the pineal tetrapeptide and what its telomerase research actually shows
A balanced look at epitalon (epithalon), a four-amino-acid peptide studied for telomerase induction, including the limits of the published evidence.
Epitalon · Aging research
September 30, 2026 · 2 min read
CJC-1295: a long-acting GHRH analogue and the growth hormone axis
A summary of the clinical pharmacology papers on CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analogue, covering half-life, GH and IGF-I responses, and pulsatility.
CJC-1295 · Growth hormone axis
September 26, 2026 · 2 min read
LL-37: the human cathelicidin and its roles in host defense
An overview of LL-37, the only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, covering its antibacterial and immunomodulatory activity in published reviews.
LL-37 · Immune function
September 23, 2026 · 2 min read
AOD-9604: the growth hormone fragment studied for lipolytic activity
A review of preclinical research on AOD-9604, a modified fragment of human growth hormone, including its effects in obese rodents and how it is detected.
AOD-9604 · Metabolic research
September 19, 2026 · 2 min read
SLU-PP-332: an ERR agonist studied as an exercise mimetic
SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic small molecule, not a peptide, that activates estrogen-related receptors. Here is what the mouse studies report.
SLU-PP-332 · Metabolic research
September 16, 2026 · 4 min read
How to read a peptide certificate of analysis (HPLC, mass spec and purity)
A guide to the numbers on a peptide certificate of analysis: what HPLC purity and mass spectrometry actually show, what they leave out, and the red flags to look for.
Quality · Analysis
September 12, 2026 · 2 min read
BPC-157: what the research actually covers, from rodent studies to the first human pilots
A look at the BPC-157 literature: how much is animal work, what the three small human studies reported, and why reviewers rate the evidence as very low.
BPC-157 · Tissue repair
September 9, 2026 · 2 min read
TB-500 and thymosin beta-4: separating the parent protein from the marketed fragment
Thymosin beta-4 has decades of published work. TB-500, sold as a fragment of it, has very little. A research overview of where each stands.
TB-500 · Tissue repair
September 5, 2026 · 2 min read
GHK-Cu: the copper-binding tripeptide and what its skin and wound research shows
GHK is a three-amino-acid peptide that binds copper. A research overview of its reported effects on wound healing and skin, and of who produced the evidence.
GHK-Cu · Tissue repair
September 2, 2026 · 2 min read
Semaglutide: what the STEP 1 trial and its follow-ups reported
A research overview of semaglutide 2.4 mg, the GLP-1 receptor agonist, based on the STEP 1 randomized trial and later work on maintenance and withdrawal.
Semaglutide · Metabolic research
August 29, 2026 · 2 min read
Ipamorelin: the first selective growth hormone secretagogue, and what selective meant
How ipamorelin releases growth hormone through a GHRP-like receptor without raising cortisol, per the original pharmacology and a rat bone study.
Ipamorelin · Growth hormone axis
August 26, 2026 · 2 min read
MOTS-c: a peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA and its metabolic research
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA. A research overview of the discovery paper, its AMPK mechanism, and open questions.
MOTS-c · Mitochondria
August 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Bremelanotide (PT-141): a melanocortin agonist and the RECONNECT phase 3 trials
What the two RECONNECT phase 3 trials reported for bremelanotide in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and how critics read the results.
Bremelanotide · Melanocortin system
August 19, 2026 · 2 min read
Semax: an ACTH-derived heptapeptide and its BDNF and neuroprotection research
What the published rat studies report about Semax, a synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue, including BDNF signaling in the hippocampus and gene expression after ischemia.
Semax · Neuropeptides
August 15, 2026 · 2 min read
Selank: a tuftsin analogue studied for anxiety, memory and withdrawal in rats
A summary of the published rat studies on Selank, a synthetic analogue of the immune peptide tuftsin, covering BDNF, memory and morphine withdrawal.
Selank · Neuropeptides
August 12, 2026 · 2 min read
DSIP: the delta sleep-inducing peptide and why researchers call it an unresolved riddle
DSIP was isolated in 1977 as a possible sleep factor. A look at why decades later its natural role, receptor and link to sleep are still unclear.
DSIP · Neuropeptides