Follistatin (Follistatin-344) (also known as activin-binding protein) is an autocrine glycoprotein that is formed in almost all body tissues. Follistatin is encoded by the FST gene.
Follystatin was first isolated from the follicular fluid (hence the name), after which it was determined that it can inhibit follicle-stimulating hormone in the anterior pituitary lobe. This is done by binding to the protein activin, which in turn stimulates the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone.
Contrary to popular belief, follistatin does not cause myocardial hypertrophy
Importance in bodybuilding
Experiments on animals have demonstrated that administration of follistatin, leads to an increase in muscle mass and muscle strength in healthy animals, and in dystrophic mice the muscle pathology is reversed, even in the case of non-young individuals. Follistatin acts as a myostatin blocker.
A significant disadvantage of using follistatin as a myostatin blocker is the low specificity of its action, because it also inhibits the function of activins, which regulate the growth and differentiation of almost all cell types, including cells of sex glands, pituitary gland and skeletal muscles.
For this reason, scientists developed the myostatin inhibitor FS I-I, which is derived from follistatin and is myostatin-specific. Transgenic mice expressing this peptide had increased muscle mass and strength. These results indicate the therapeutic potential of FS I-I in muscular dystrophies and sarcopenia.
Recent trials ending in 2009 in monkeys showed that genetic regulation of follistatin levels produced tangible results in muscle growth and increased strength. These findings prompted scientists to begin human clinical trials, which were tentatively scheduled to begin in the summer of 2010.
In 2013, Follistatin-344 became available online. Prices from retail distributors are about 2-3 thousand rubles per 1,000 mcg.
Effects
- Increase in strength
- Muscle growth
- Increased appetite, in some cases suppression
- Enhancement of performance
- Fat burning, by stimulating brown fat cell metabolism
Applications
Sellers recommend taking Follistatin-344 at a regimen of: 100 micrograms per day, subcutaneously, for 10-20 days. As a rule, this peptide is used for gaining lean muscle mass or for leaning (fast growth of up to 4 kg in 10 days), also this peptide significantly increases the strength factors. Follistatin-344 seems to be promising in powerlifting, because it is not detected in doping controls. Reddening at the injection site is possible.
Side effects
Follistatin has a direct effect on folliculogenesis, so theoretically there are possible complications in women. According to the literature, FST plays a role in the development of polycystic ovaries.
