FOLISTATIN 1MG

Follistatin-344 is a full-sized synthetic analogue of naturally occurring Follistatin. It neutralizes the effects of myostatin, activin, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In animal studies, these actions lead to increased muscle mass (both hypertrophy and hyperplasia), reduced scar formation, and inhibited certain inflammatory responses. Follistatin-344 can be altered by the body to produce other variants of Follistatin. Follistatin-344 is a naturally occurring glycoprotein that is considered to be present in almost all tissue. It is considered an autocrine chemical, meaning that the cell produces a chemical messenger through a cell signal, which binds to its autocrine receptors, resulting in cell modification.(1) Follistatin naturally occurs in two isoforms, FST 317 and FST 344, each composed of 317 and 344 amino acids, respectively. These two isoforms may be produced through alternative splicing process of the mRNA.(2)Follistatin-344 is a synthetic version of the endogenous Follistatin-344 protein isoform. Although the number of amino acids differs in Follistatin isoforms, at its core, the protein is composed of 63 amino acid residues along with three domains: FSD1, FSD2, and FSD3, with an identical structure in the synthetic peptide.(3)OverviewResearchers posit that Follistatin's primary potential may exist in activin binding action.(4) Follistatin has been suggested to have a collaborative role in reproductive functioning alongside other chemicals like activin and inhibins. Scientists posit that the ovarian follicle mainly releases activin to enhance the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone. Follistatin may bind with activin and thereby attenuate its action by inhibiting the secretion of the FSH hormone.While the origin and mechanism of the peptide hormone are not entirely understood, it has been suggested that Follistatin-344 is locally produced in the pituitary gland, gonads, testes, and ovaries. Additionally, Follistatin may be vastly distributed in various organs of the body and is also potentially present in blood circulation due to its secretion from the blood vessels. Research and Clinical StudiesFollistatin-344 and Muscle DevelopmentMyostatin is a protein considered to be synthesized by muscle cells, hindering muscle cell differentiation and growth. Myostatin protein belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) protein, which Follistatin may inhibit. During one 1997 study,(5) it was suggested that mice given Follistatin-344 exhibited reduced levels of myostatin, which might have led to the improved skeletal muscle mass with each mouse weighing 2 to 3 times more than usual.In another study,(6) Follistatin-344 was induced in mice via a nanoparticle-mediated mode of delivery of mRNA in the liver. The researchers reported that the mRNA messenger appeared to stimulate the hepatic liver cells to naturally synthesize and secrete Follistatin. Results of this study suggested that the peptide mice, given this mRNA-containing nanoparticle, exhibited apparently increased serum levels of Follistatin within 3 days as compared to the levels in control mice. After 8 weeks of continuous peptide presentation, the lean muscle mass of the peptide mice was reportedly 10% more than the control mice.Follistatin-344 and Carcinogenic CellsBreast CancerIt was suggested, through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction study (RT-PCR), that Follistatin levels may fluctuate in breast cancer test models. One study(9) examined the available gene expression data of mice with breast cancer. In most cases, Follistatin was reportedly under-expressed in carcinogenic breast cells, possibly leading to the increased spread of cancer cells caused by activin proteins. As Follistatin is suggested to bind to and inhibit activin proteins, it was further posited by the researchers that restoring Follistatin in these mice might prevent the prognosis of activin-induced metastasis and improve overall survival.Esophageal CancerResearch suggests that bone morphogenic protein (BMP) is one of the causative factors in the transition of normal esophageal tissue to cancerous tissues. Experimental studies in Follistatin-344 suggest that the peptide may counteract acid reflux, thereby possibly preventing an over-activation of BMP and development of esophageal cancer.(10)Follistatin-344 and Cell ProliferationThere is an odd contrast in the working of Follistatin: it may potentially inhibit metastasis, as well as possibly promote cell proliferation. This is why the peptide is researched in studies scrutinizing increased tumor growth (tumorigenesis) and metastasis.(12) Research has suggested that hepatocytes (i.e., liver cells) may require Follistatin to proliferate. When studied in experimental rats, it was reported by the researchers that the inactivation of activin by Follistatin-344 may be a precondition for cell proliferation to occur. They believed that there may be some energy exchange amongst the cells where the energy used for cell migration is shut off to switch with cellular growth and proliferation.Follistatin-344 and Liver ProtectionOne study(14) was conducted to determine the potential of Follistatin on early liver fibrosis. In this study, rats were divided into one control group and one Follistatin presented group for a period of four weeks. Researchers reported that the peptide group showed a 32% decrease in liver fibrosis as compared to the control group. They further reported that hepatocytic apoptosis was decreased by almost 90% in the Follistatin mice.Follistatin-344 and Hair GrowthFollistatin may exhibit wound healing potential via possible stimulation of interfollicular stem cells, which lead to increased hair growth. A clinical study was conducted where the potential of this synthetic protein formulation, Hair Stimulating Complex (HSC), were studied in subjects with hair loss.(14). 26 subjects were presented with the peptide for a period of 52 weeks. Histopathological evaluation of the tissues reportedly showed improved hair growth after 52 weeks as compared to the placebo subjects. Besides hair growth, researchers reported was also an improvement in hair thickness and density by almost 13%.Follistatin-344 and Diabetic Mice ModelsResearch has suggested that when Follistatin-344 was presented to diabetic mice, it appeared to lead to overexpression of the protein in the pancreatic cells, resulting in increased pancreatic beta cell mass, reduced glucose level and overall reduction in diabetic symptoms.