Peptide Research Glossary
Definitions for common terms used in peptide research and chemistry. Browse alphabetically or search by topic.
A
Acromegaly
Condition caused by excess growth hormone after growth plate closure.
Amide bond / Amidation
C-terminal modification in some peptides (e.g CJC-1295) that improves stability against proteolysis.
Angiogenesis
Formation of new blood vessels. BPC-157 modulates VEGF signalling in angiogenesis models.
B
BAC water (Bacteriostatic water)
Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative that inhibits bacterial growth.
BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
Protein supporting neuron survival and growth. Semax increases BDNF expression in published models.
BPC-157
Body Protection Compound-157. Pentadecapeptide derived from a gastric protein. No human clinical trials - all evidence from rodent models.
C
cAMP (Cyclic AMP)
Intracellular signalling molecule. GHRH receptor activation triggers cAMP production, stimulating GH synthesis and release.
CJC-1295
Modified GHRH analogue. "No DAC" version has ~30-minute half-life; "with DAC" (Drug Affinity Complex) extends half-life to 7-10 days by binding to albumin.
D
DAC (Drug Affinity Complex)
A lysine-maleimide modification on CJC-1295 that covalently binds to circulating albumin, dramatically extending half-life from ~30 min to 7-10 days.
E
Epithalon
Tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed by Vladimir Khavinson. Studied for its effect on telomerase activity.
F
Freeze-drying (lyophilization)
Process that removes water from peptides under vacuum to create a stable powder (lyophilisate). Allows long-term storage of the dry powder.
G
GH (Growth Hormone / Somatotropin)
Protein hormone released by the pituitary. Stimulates IGF-1 production.
GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone)
Hypothalamic peptide that stimulates GH synthesis and release from the pituitary. CJC-1295 and Sermorelin are GHRH analogues.
GHRP (Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide)
Class of synthetic peptides (Ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6) that trigger GH release via ghrelin receptor (GHSR) activation. Mechanism independent of GHRH.
GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide)
Incretin hormone. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP+GLP-1 agonist; the GIP component is the pharmacological difference from GLP-1-only agonists.
GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1)
Incretin hormone that stimulates insulin release, suppresses glucagon, and delays gastric emptying. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are GLP-1 agonists.
H
Half-life
Time for plasma concentration to fall by 50%. Reported examples: Ipamorelin about 2 hours, CJC-1295 with DAC 7 to 10 days.
HGH
Human Growth Hormone. A 191-amino-acid protein, identical in sequence to the endogenously produced hormone.
I
IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1)
Primary downstream mediator of GH action, produced mainly in the liver. Serum IGF-1 is the standard biomarker of GH-axis activity.
IGF-1 LR3
Long R3 IGF-1. Modified IGF-1 with reduced IGFBP binding - ~3× longer half-life (~20h vs ~6h).
Ipamorelin
Selective GHRP (ghrelin receptor agonist). Pentapeptide with high selectivity for GH release over cortisol and prolactin in published models.
L
Lyophilisate
The dry powder produced by lyophilization (freeze-drying). The form in which peptides are supplied in sealed vials.
M
Melanotan II
Cyclic analogue of α-MSH. Binds MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R without selectivity. No regulatory approval.
N
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
Coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism and DNA repair.
P
Peptide
Short chain of amino acids (2-50) linked by peptide bonds. Most research peptides are 5-30 amino acids. Larger chains are proteins (HGH = 191 amino acids).
Proteolysis
Enzymatic degradation of peptides by proteases in the body. Most peptides have very short half-lives due to rapid proteolytic breakdown. Chemical modifications (amidation, PEGylation, DAC) extend stability.
S
Semaglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist with C18 fatty-acid acylation. The STEP programme is its reference publication set.
Sermorelin
GHRH analogue, full-length GHRH(1-44) with an N-terminal modification that resists DPP-4 cleavage.
T
TB-500
Synthetic fragment of Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4). Promotes actin polymerization, cell migration, and anti-inflammatory signalling. No human clinical trials - animal model only.
Tesamorelin
GHRH analogue: full-length GHRH(1-44) with an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl group that stabilises it against enzymatic cleavage.
Thymosin Alpha-1
Immune-modulating peptide of 28 amino acids with an acetylated N-terminus, originally isolated from thymus tissue.
Tirzepatide
Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist with C20 fatty-diacid acylation. SURMOUNT-1 is its reference publication.
V
Vial (lyophilized)
Glass sealed container with lyophilized peptide powder. Common sizes: 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg.
Related Research Tools
Curated peptide stacks grouped by pathway.
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