Follistatin vs TB-500
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Follistatin
Follistatin is a glycoprotein that inhibits myostatin, the protein responsible for limiting muscle growth. By blocking myostatin, follistatin can theoretically allow for increased muscle development beyond natural limits.
Full details →TB-500
Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500) is a naturally occurring peptide present in almost all human and animal cells. It plays a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Follistatin | TB-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to and neutralizes myostatin and activin, both of which are negative regulators of muscle mass. This removes the natural brake on muscle growth, allowing for enhanced hypertrophy. | TB-500 promotes cell migration and differentiation, regulates actin (a cell-building protein), and reduces inflammation. It supports the formation of new blood vessels and wound healing. |
| Typical Dosage | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. | Research protocols typically use 2-2.5mg twice weekly during the loading phase, followed by maintenance dosing of 2mg every 2 weeks. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. | Administered via subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Some protocols suggest injection near injury sites. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. | May cause temporary fatigue, headache, or localized irritation at injection sites. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Both Follistatin and TB-500 are commonly used for: