A relatively new area of study in medicine, research peptides are playing an important role in helping scientists discover cures for diseases and conditions. They are also used in a number of experiments that explore how our bodies work. One of the most interesting experiments uses a peptide called tatCN21. This peptide inhibits the calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase IIa, which is an important enzyme in cell signaling. When this peptide is given to humans, it protects against global cerebral ischemia (GCI), which is the cessation or reduction of blood flow to the brain.
Peptides are made up of amino acids bound together using peptide bonds. The sequence of amino acids determines the specific peptide. Some peptides are natural, such as collagen and creatine. Others are synthetic and created in a laboratory. Some peptides have been developed as drugs and are now being used in clinical trials. There are a number of peptides that have already been approved by the FDA as pharmaceutical drugs. These include LupronTM, a drug for prostate cancer, and VictozaTM, a drug that treats type 2 diabetes.
When shopping for peptides, it is important to purchase from a legitimate vendor that adheres to FDA guidelines. The best way to do this is to check if the company provides testing for its products. This is typically done through high-performance liquid chromatography, which is commonly known as HPLC. The more detailed the testing results are, the better. Legitimate peptide vendors should be able to provide the results of their testing in an easy-to-read format.