🧬 CJC-1295 With DAC: The Long-Acting GHRH Analogue Explained
Among research peptides exploring the growth hormone axis, CJC-1295 With DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) stands out as a long-acting analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Designed to extend circulation time and improve molecular stability, this compound is of interest to researchers investigating GH pulsatility, IGF-1 signaling, and endocrine regulation.
This article provides a concise scientific overview of CJC-1295 With DAC, how its DAC modification works, how it differs from the no-DAC variant, and key considerations for peptide researchers.
(Informational only — not medical or therapeutic advice.)
What Is CJC-1295 With DAC?
CJC-1295 is a synthetic peptide analogue of GHRH (1-29), the portion responsible for stimulating growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary. The “With DAC” designation refers to the Drug Affinity Complex, a chemical modification allowing the peptide to bind to albumin in the bloodstream.
This albumin-binding feature significantly prolongs the peptide’s half-life, maintaining biological activity for several days rather than just hours. The result is a long-acting GHRH analogue capable of producing sustained stimulation in experimental settings.
Researchers value this stability when modeling long-term GH/IGF-1 secretion patterns, comparing them to the effects of shorter-acting analogues or natural pulsatile GHRH activity.
How the DAC Modification Works
The DAC moiety is a molecular linker that attaches to lysine residues on the peptide, allowing reversible binding to plasma albumin. This creates a peptide–albumin complex that resists enzymatic degradation and renal clearance.
Mechanistically:
-
CJC-1295 binds GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells in the pituitary.
-
This activates cAMP signaling, promoting growth hormone release.
-
The DAC modification maintains systemic presence for up to 6–8 days, depending on study design.
-
The extended circulation supports more consistent GH pulses, often reflected by increases in IGF-1 levels in research models.
Because of this, the DAC version is often referred to as the “extended-release GHRH analogue.”
Key Characteristics (Summary Table)
| Property | CJC-1295 With DAC | CJC-1295 No DAC |
|---|---|---|
| Albumin binding | Yes | No |
| Approx. half-life | 6–8 days | <1 day |
| Dosing frequency (research) | Lower (e.g., 1–2× weekly) | Higher (daily) |
| Main focus | Long-term GH/IGF-1 modulation | Short, pulsatile GH release |
| Typical research use | Endocrine and peptide stability studies | Acute GH kinetics |
Research Interest and Applications
In experimental and preclinical studies, CJC-1295 With DAC has been used to explore:
-
The kinetics of GH secretion in response to long-acting GHRH analogues.
-
How albumin-binding modifications affect peptide pharmacodynamics.
-
The relationship between sustained GH release and IGF-1 regulation.
-
Potential use in studying metabolic, anabolic, and recovery-related pathways within controlled laboratory models.
It’s important to emphasize that while data from early trials and animal studies are available, CJC-1295 With DAC is not approved for medical use and remains a research-only compound in most jurisdictions.
Safety and Handling (Informational)
As with all synthetic peptides used in research:
-
Work should occur in controlled laboratory environments using appropriate sterile technique.
-
Lyophilized CJC-1295 DAC is typically stored at –20 °C; reconstituted samples should be refrigerated (2–8 °C).
-
Proper documentation and labeling are essential for compliance and reproducibility.
Reports in research contexts describe mild transient effects such as flushing or injection-site reactions. However, these observations are not clinical safety data, and human use is not advised outside supervised or approved studies.
Comparing CJC-1295 With DAC and No DAC
Both versions of CJC-1295 target the same receptor system, but the DAC modification defines their difference.
-
The No DAC version produces rapid, short GH pulses suitable for examining acute signaling events.
-
The With DAC version creates a long, steady presence ideal for studying extended growth hormone stimulation.
Researchers often compare both to understand how duration of exposure affects downstream pathways like IGF-1 expression, tissue growth, and recovery mechanisms.
Conclusion
CJC-1295 With DAC exemplifies how peptide engineering can modify pharmacokinetics to suit specific research goals. Its albumin-binding design provides a long-acting analogue of GHRH, helping researchers investigate the effects of sustained GH/IGF-1 modulation in experimental settings.
While promising as a scientific tool, its use remains confined to research purposes only. Always source from certified suppliers and follow institutional and regulatory peptide-handling guidelines.



