CJC-1295 DAC is a peptide that researchers posit may function similarly to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), potentially increasing the endogenous production of growth hormone (GH) within the organism. The CJC-1295 DAC peptide is a synthetic 29 amino acid analog of GHRH.⁽¹⁾It is the shortest functional analog of GHRH that still has the potential capacity to trigger GH release from the somatotroph cells in the pituitary gland. Moreover, 4 of the original 29 amino acids in this fragment are substituted in CJC-1295 DAC, to possibly improve the pharmacokinetics of the peptide and prolong its half-life.

The DAC component is a biochemical complex that may further increase the half-life of the peptide. This phenomenon might be ascribed to the alleged capability of the DAC to bind to proteins present in plasma. More precisely, the DAC component appears to entail the attachment of a lysine derivative, identified as N-epsilon-3-maleimidopropionamide, to the C terminus of CJC-1295 DAC. Integrating this modified amino acid sequence with the DAC component might conceivably enhance the pharmacokinetics of CJC-1295 DAC, extending its half-life to approximately 8 days. Simultaneously, it appears to maintain a significant affinity for GHRH receptors, similar to the affinity exhibited by CJC-1295 without DAC.⁽²⁾

This does not imply that CJC without DAC has no relevance or use in present day research. For example, CJC-1295 without DAC & Ipamorelin blend has been studied for its suggested synergistic potential, as combining GHRH analogs with peptides that appear to activate the ghrelin receptors in the pituitary gland. It is also posited to result in greater GH-synthesis response from the somatotroph cells.⁽³⁾

Overview

CJC-1295 DAC is recognized by many names: CJC-1295, CJC-1295 with DAC, DAC:GRF, long-acting GHRH analog, and synthetic GHRH analog. Theoretically, as the peptide is considered a releasing factor for growth hormone, CJC-1295 DAC has been studied for its potential role in:

The reduction of fat mass by using fat cells as an energy source. It may lead to increased muscle mass via the promotion of protein synthesis.
Since growth hormone is considered to promote bone growth and improved joint and connective tissue, CJC-1295 DAC peptide may potentially improve bone mass and thereby reduce the risk of damage.
Studies have suggested that GHRH may support the centers in the nervous system for sleep, and potentially this action may be mirrored by analogs like CJC-1295 DAC.⁽⁴⁾