How do peptides work?
Oct 7, 2024
3 min read
Written by Johnathon Anderson, Ph.D., a research scientist, and Associate Professor at the University of California Davis School of Medicine
What are peptides?
Peptides are naturally occurring biological compounds that contain 2-50 amino acids connected to one another through molecular bonds. Strings of greater than 50 amino acids are called proteins. These covalent bonds are formed between two amino acids when a carboxyl group (also known as a C-terminus) of one amino acid is attached to the amino group (also known as the N-terminus) of another amino acid.
Are peptides natural?
Peptides are essential parts of nature, and thousands of naturally occurring peptides are found in the human body and in the animal kingdom. Innovation in the field of peptide therapy holds great promise for the development of new drugs that treat diseases in a more natural manner than small molecule drugs of the past have done.
Peptide research
The FDA has classified peptides, even naturally occurring peptides, as drug-type products. The FDA has approved dozens of peptide therapies that are currently on the market, and there are hundreds more currently being developed through research and taken through clinical trials. The peptides sold by Peptide Systems are not FDA-approved, are for the sole use of research by qualified personnel, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
How do peptides work?
Peptides work by keeping hormones and bodily functions properly regulated. There are many different types of peptides naturally found in the human body, and each serves to help regulate cells and tissues of the body in a specific way. For example, insulin helps cells take in sugars from food. In addition, growth hormone is regulated and kept at optimal levels in the body via Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and Ghrelin, also known as the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHSR). Most of the growth hormone secretagogue peptides approved by the FDA and used in current research are modeled after these two natural peptides. Find out more about Peptide Systems' products.
Peptide bioavailability
Injectable peptides are generally much more bioavailable, which means they are absorbed better and retain much higher levels of activity compared to oral peptide forms. This is due to the fact that they bypass the harsh environment of the digestive system and are administered directly into the circulatory system, reaching tissues much faster.
How are research peptides tested?
Peptides for research should be rigorously tested and certified to be sterile, free of endotoxin, free of common residual toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing process contaminants such as TFA, identity to ensure the peptide was manufactured properly, and purity to demonstrate that the peptide is over 99% pure. These tests should be performed by FDA-registered labs that are independent, 3rd party companies, preferably headquartered in the USA, to ensure they meet the technical safety standards.
Peptides Regulatory Aspects
The FDA has determined that peptides, even naturally occurring peptides, are classified as drug products. In order for a doctor to legally prescribe peptides for you, they need to first be approved by the FDA in a lengthy and costly clinical trial pipeline. Peptide Systems only sells peptides for research purposes and are not intended for humans to consume. In addition, USADA and WADA have banned many peptides for professional athletes, including GH secretagogues, as they have determined that they confer an unfair advantage to competitive athletes. Peptides are not on the scheduled drug list, so they are regulated by the FDA, not the DEA.
What are some key peptide terms?
1. Amino Acids – peptides are composed of chains of amino acids.
2. Peptide Sequence – is simply the order in which specific and different amino acids are strung together, as the spelling of a specific word depends on the order of letters.
3. Peptide Bond – is the covalent bond formed between amino acids.
4. Peptide Mapping – is an analytical technique used to validate the amino acid sequence of specific peptides.
5. Peptide Mimetics – is a peptide that very closely mimics the biological activity of a naturally occurring, endogenous peptide.
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