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Longevity

GDF-11 Leitfaden & Dosierungstabelle

Ein Wachstumsdifferenzierungsfaktor, der für Alterung und Gewebeforschung untersucht wird.

Verabreichungsubcutaneous
GDF-11 — Dosierungstabelle
Jede Zeile belegt
ZielDosisHäufigkeitDauerEvidenzQuelle
Belegte Dosierungsdaten für diese Substanz werden gerade zusammengestellt.
Nur für Forschungs- und Bildungszwecke. Keine medizinische Beratung.
How to Reconstitute GDF-11
U-100

A common approach: reconstitute an example 5 mg vial of GDF-11 with bacteriostatic water. The table shows the concentration at three common water volumes — use the calculator on this page for your specific target dose.

BAC waterConcentrationVolume / doseUnits (U-100)
1 mL5 mg/mL——
2 mL2.5 mg/mL——
3 mL1.67 mg/mL——

Units shown are for a U-100 (1 mL = 100-unit) insulin syringe. Always verify your own math before drawing.

GDF-11 Vial Sizes

Reconstitution worked out for each common vial size:

5 mgvial protocol10 mgvial protocol

What is GDF-11?

GDF-11 stands for Growth Differentiation Factor 11. It is a naturally occurring protein found in the human body. It belongs to a large family of signaling proteins called the TGF-β superfamily — think of this family as a group of chemical messengers that tell cells how to grow, change, and repair themselves.[2]

Scientists first discovered GDF-11 as a key player in embryonic development — it helps the body build itself correctly before birth.[2] More recently, researchers have become very interested in GDF-11 because circulating levels of this protein appear to shift as we age, and it shows up in studies on the heart, muscle, brain, and reproductive tissue.[2]

Important note: GDF-11 is a research compound. It is not approved for human therapeutic use. Everything on this page refers to laboratory and preclinical research only.

How GDF-11 Works

Here is a simple way to think about it. Imagine your cells have mailboxes on their surface called receptors. GDF-11 is like a letter that fits into specific mailboxes — in this case, receptors called ALK4 and ALK5. When the letter is delivered, it triggers a chain reaction inside the cell using proteins called SMAD2 and SMAD3. These SMADs travel to the cell's control center (the nucleus) and switch certain genes on or off.[5]

Depending on the tissue involved, this signaling can tell cells to invade, repair, grow new blood vessels, or slow down hormone production.[4] That versatility is exactly what makes GDF-11 so interesting — and so complicated — for researchers.[2]

What the Research Shows

Heart and Blood Vessels

Two studies published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science in 2023 looked closely at GDF-11 and the heart. Researchers found that when GDF-11 is absent in mice, heart failure caused by pressure overload gets significantly worse. The reason? Without enough GDF-11, the heart cannot build enough new blood vessels — a process called angiogenesis — to cope with the extra strain.[6] A companion editorial from Harvard researchers highlighted GDF-11 as a promising pro-angiogenic factor, meaning it may help promote healthy blood vessel growth in cardiac tissue.[1]

The mechanism appears to involve GDF-11 switching on a gene called VEGF (a major blood vessel growth signal) inside heart muscle cells, using a pathway called Akt/mTOR.[6]

Aging and Regeneration

Earlier reviews noted that GDF-11 has been studied for its potential role in restoring the regenerative abilities of skeletal muscle, neural stem cells, and heart muscle cells — all tissues that tend to decline with age.[2] Researchers also observed that blood levels of GDF-11 appear to correlate with outcomes in patients who have cardiovascular disease, suggesting it could one day serve as a biomarker for aging-related conditions.[2]

Placental and Reproductive Biology

Several recent studies explored GDF-11 in pregnancy-related tissue. One 2022 study showed that GDF-11 helps placental cells called extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade the uterine wall — a necessary step for a healthy pregnancy — by turning up a protein called MMP2 through an ID2-linked signaling route.[5] A 2025 study confirmed this invasion-promoting role and identified another downstream target: a protein called ANGPTL4, which is activated via SMAD3 signaling after GDF-11 binds ALK4/ALK5 receptors.[3] Interestingly, GDF-11 blood levels were found to be significantly lower in women with preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication linked to poor trophoblast invasion.[3]

A 2023 study added another layer: GDF-11 also appears to reduce production of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), a key pregnancy hormone, by activating SMAD2/3 signaling in placental cells — showing that GDF-11 can both promote and fine-tune processes in the same tissue.[4]

What GDF-11 Is Being Studied For

  • Cardiac health and heart failure — its role in blood vessel growth under stress[6]
  • Aging and tissue regeneration — potential effects on muscle, neural, and cardiac stem cells[2]
  • Biomarker research — whether blood levels of GDF-11 can predict cardiovascular or age-related disease[2]
  • Placental biology and pregnancy complications — including preeclampsia and trophoblast invasion[3]
  • Hormone regulation in reproductive tissue — specifically its effect on hCG production[4]

How GDF-11 Is Dosed in Research

Because GDF-11 research is still at a preclinical and early investigational stage, there is no standardized dosing protocol for human use — and none should be assumed. Researchers working with GDF-11 in cell or animal studies use a range of concentrations depending on the model system and the biological endpoint being measured. For reference figures used in laboratory settings, see the dosage chart on this page. If you need help converting units or scaling doses across different research models, the calculator tool is available on this site. Always consult the primary literature relevant to your specific research model before designing any protocol.

Mixing and Storing GDF-11

GDF-11 is typically supplied as a lyophilized powder — that means freeze-dried into a dry cake or solid inside a sealed vial. To use it, researchers reconstitute it (dissolve it back into liquid) using sterile water or a buffer solution such as PBS (phosphate-buffered saline), sometimes with a small percentage of carrier protein like BSA (bovine serum albumin) added to improve stability. Always check the manufacturer's certificate of analysis for the recommended reconstitution volume and solvent. Once dissolved, GDF-11 solution is generally stored at -20°C or -80°C in small single-use aliquots to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can degrade the protein and reduce its activity. Avoid leaving reconstituted peptide at room temperature for extended periods. Shelf life and storage conditions vary by supplier and formulation, so always follow the specific product datasheet for your research batch.

Sources

  1. GDF-11 as a Potential Cardiac Pro-Angiogenic Factor. — JACC. Basic to translational science, 2023. PMID 37426538.
  2. The versatility and paradox of GDF 11. — Pharmacology & therapeutics, 2017. PMID 28223232.
  3. GDF-11 stimulates human extravillous trophoblast cell invasion by upregulating ANGPTL4 expression. — Reproduction (Cambridge, England), 2025. PMID 41078302.
  4. GDF-11 downregulates placental human chorionic gonadotropin expression by activating SMAD2/3 signaling. — Cell communication and signaling : CCS, 2023. PMID 37480123.
  5. GDF-11 promotes human trophoblast cell invasion by increasing ID2-mediated MMP2 expression. — Cell communication and signaling : CCS, 2022. PMID 35705978.
  6. Deficiency of GDF-11 Accelerates TAC-Induced Heart Failure by Impairing Cardiac Angiogenesis. — JACC. Basic to translational science, 2023. PMID 37426531.
Supplies Needed

A typical reconstitution-and-injection kit includes:

  • Lyophilized peptide vial(s) — enough for the full protocol length
  • Bacteriostatic water for reconstitution
  • U-100 insulin syringes (one per injection)
  • Alcohol prep swabs
  • A sharps container for safe disposal
Storage, Handling & Injection

Storage & handling

Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide is typically kept refrigerated and protected from light; once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water it is generally refrigerated at 2–8 °C and used within a few weeks. Follow aseptic technique to avoid contamination, per CDC injection-safety guidance.

Injection technique

Subcutaneous injections are usually given into the fat of the abdomen or thigh: clean the site with an alcohol swab, pinch the skin, insert at the recommended angle, and rotate sites to protect the tissue. See MedlinePlus for a step-by-step subcutaneous-injection guide.

General aseptic-technique and injection references for educational use — they are not specific to any research compound.

GDF-11 FAQ

What is GDF-11?
GDF-11 (Growth Differentiation Factor 11) is a naturally occurring signaling protein in the human body. It belongs to the TGF-β superfamily and was first known for its role in embryonic development. More recently, researchers have studied it in the context of aging, heart health, and regenerative biology.[2] It is a research compound, not an approved therapy.
How does GDF-11 work?
GDF-11 binds to cell-surface receptors called ALK4 and ALK5, triggering internal signaling proteins — mainly SMAD2 and SMAD3 — that travel to the cell nucleus and change which genes are active.[5] Depending on the tissue, this can stimulate blood vessel growth, promote cell invasion, or modulate hormone production.[4] The exact effects vary by cell type and context.
What is GDF-11 used for in research?
Researchers are studying GDF-11 for its potential roles in cardiac angiogenesis (blood vessel growth in the heart)[6], age-related tissue regeneration[2], placental development[3], and as a possible biomarker for cardiovascular and aging-related conditions.[2] All current applications are investigational and limited to laboratory or preclinical settings.
How is GDF-11 dosed in research?
There is no established human dosing protocol for GDF-11. Preclinical studies use varying concentrations depending on the cell type and experimental goal. Researchers should consult the primary literature for their specific model. See the dosage chart on this page for reference figures, and use the calculator tool to assist with unit conversions.
How do you reconstitute GDF-11?
GDF-11 is usually supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Researchers dissolve it in sterile water or a buffer like PBS, often with a small amount of carrier protein such as BSA to improve stability. Reconstituted solution should be stored in small aliquots at -20°C or -80°C and protected from repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Always follow the specific product datasheet.
Is GDF-11 safe?
GDF-11 is not approved for human use, and its safety profile in humans has not been established through clinical trials. Research has highlighted both beneficial and complex effects depending on tissue and context — including what some researchers call a 'paradox' in its actions.[2] This is a research compound only. No information on this page constitutes medical advice.