Peptide Therapy
We are pleased to be able to offer peptide therapy through our partnership with BioTE Medical. BioTE Medical has a mission to help improve our patient’s lives. This is not just through hormone optimization (which is a big key) but also through high quality Nutraceuticals, new devices that can help improve various conditions as well as Peptide Therapy. They form strategic partnerships with high quality companies to allow practitioners to offer various therapies to help improve a patient’s health and quality of life. For Peptide therapy they have partnered with Tailor Made Compounding to give practitioners access to consistent, high quality peptides. Tailor Made Compounding is an industry leader in peptide therapy. Tailor Made Compounding is a 503A, FDA registered compounding pharmacy that is licensed in 45 different states and territories. They test all materials to ensure the compounds they offer are potent, pure, and free of endotoxins and other contaminants.
BioTE has carefully selected every peptide to help support the BioTE method of hormone optimization. Peptides provide many important influences when used in conjunction with bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT):
Supports healthy cells
Promotes fat burning and lean body mass building
Aids in gut health and intestinal absorption
Works with testosterone and estrogen to help boost libido
Helps recovery time for workouts
Aids in a healthy sleep cycle
What Is A Peptide?
A peptide is a short chain of amino acids. The amino acids in a peptide are connected to one another in a sequence by bonds called peptide bonds. Typically, peptides are distinguished from proteins by their shorter length, although the cut-off number of amino acids for defining a peptide and protein can be arbitrary. Peptides are naturally occurring biological molecules. They are found in all living organisms and play a key role in all manner of biological activity. Many health and cosmetic products contain different peptides for many uses, such as their potential anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and muscle-building properties.
Some of the more important peptides we have access for our patients are highlighted below:
Hair Loss
There are several peptides to help with hair loss. These include PTD-DBM, Valproic Acid, Zinc-Thymulin and GHK-Cu.
PTD-DBM
PTD-DBM is a peptide that was specifically formulated to target factors that are upregulated in balding individuals. PTD-DBM is a topical hair product that helps activate pathways that help rescue DHT induced hair follicle miniaturization. Activating these pathways has been associated with hair restoration and wound healing. Studies have shown that PTD-DBM is significantly more effective at inducing hair neogenesis when combined with Valproic Acid, which stimulates a different pathway when applied topically.
This peptide has shown improving hair restoration effects in as little as five weeks. PTD-DBM is compounded as a 0.001% solution in a 25ml spray bottle. The suggested dosage is to apply topically to the area of intended hair regrowth once daily in combination with Valproic Acid by topical spray or by a dropper. In addition, it can be used in conjunction with Zinc/Thymulin and Thymosin Beta and GHK-Cu.
Valproic Acid
Valproic acid is an activator that promotes human hair cell proliferation and is used in conjunction with PTD-DBM. This peptide, combined with PTD-DBM topical solution, has shown amazing hair restoration effects in as little as five weeks. It is compounded as a 5% solution in a 25ml spray bottle or dropper bottle. The suggested dosage is to apply topically to the area of intended hair regrowth once daily in combination with PTD-DBM topical spray.
Zinc/Thymulin
Zinc-Thymulin is a combination of zinc and a nonapeptide called Thymulin used for hair loss. Zinc is an essential element and serum zinc deficiency can cause hair loss. Thymulin’s activity on the hair follicle was recently published in an in vitro study where several thymic peptides showed thymulin could extend the anagen (growing) phase of the hair follicle. Serum Thymulin concentrations are critically dependent on the presence of Zinc.
Cosmetic Peptides
There are several peptides available to help with skin conditions. The skin consists of three layers: epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It also contains hair follicles. The dermis is the deeper layer, forming the main bulk of the skin. Its function is to provide a tough matrix to support the blood vessels, nerves and appendages that are embedded in it. The fibers present in the dermal connective tissue are predominantly collagen and elastin.
Some 80% of the dry weight of adult skin consists of collagen. Collagen fibers, produced by fibroblasts, are arranged parallel to the skin surface. This gives the skin a high tensile strength and prevents it from being torn by over stretching. In contrast, elastin constitutes about 5% of the dermis, and provides the skin with elasticity and resilience. Elastin fibers are arranged as a thinly distributed subepidermal network and are also produced by fibroblasts. The dermal connective tissue additionally contains sensory receptors and the supportive glycosaminogylcans (GAGs) such as hyaluronic acid.
The predominant form of collagen found in adult human skin is type I, followed by type III. In young people, microscopic examination of collagen from the dermis of skin areas not exposed to the sun shows thin, wavy, uniform fibrillar units. The skin becomes thinner and changes structure and function with age. In the elderly, the skin contains thickened, clumped basophilic collagenous material, indicating partial degradation of collagen. Collagen atrophy is a major factor in skin aging. Studies show a significant decline in the quantity of dermal collagen with aging.
Botox Like Peptides
These peptides follow a similar mechanism like that of Botox. Botox works by decreasing the amount of muscle activity by blocking the release of acetylcholine. This is done by inhibiting the fusion of the vesicle storing the neurotransmitter to the cell membrane, thus rendering the muscle inactive for about three to four months.
Argireline
It is a 6 amino acid launched in 2001. Non-toxic, anti-wrinkle acetyl hexapeptide-8 that imitates the action of currently used botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). Interferes with SNARE complex and there is no release of acetylcholine. Ten women study performed using argireline topical cream BID for 4 weeks. Women saw a 48% improvement of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area.
The Argeriline is combined with Leuphasyl and GHK-Cu. Leuphasyl is a 5 amine peptide that reduces the depth of wrinkles by contraction of facial muscles. Modulates acetylcholine in neuron cells and catecholamine release. Targets wrinkle formation in a unique way offering an alternative to other peptides such as Argeriline.
GHK-Cu is a copper tri-peptide and is a natural occurring copper complex found in saliva and urine. It declines with age and coincides with a noticeable decline in rejuvenation capacity. It has a myriad of effects- it activates wound healing, attracts immune cells, is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, and it stimulates collagen and other factors in skin fibroblasts. Its effects in cosmetic products are hair growth, improved elasticity, improved skin density and firmness, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces photo damage and hyper pigmentation.
The Argireline, Leuphasyl and GHK-Cu is combined into a cosmetic product. It is 2% GHK-Cu, 5% Argireline, and 5% Leuphasyl. It is combined in a 30 ml topiclick with 1 ml applied daily. A minimum of 60 days is needed for best results.
Peptides for Sexual Function
There are several peptides that are available to improve or enhance sexual issues. Several of these can be used to improve libido, orgasm, and erectile difficulties. The include PT-141, Tadalafil/Apomorphine, Oxytocin, Melatonin-1, and arousal creams. They are either used as troches, sub-cutaneous injections, nasal sprays, or topical applications.
PT-141 was developed from Melatonin-II which has strong aphrodisiac effects. The melanocortins exert their influence in certain areas of the brain. It elicits a more natural sexual response. In men it can have a rapid onset of arousal with erection achieved within minutes. It was found to induce erection in 80% of men who did not respond to PDE-5 inhibitor drugs (Viagra and Cialis). In females a significantly higher percentage of females had a satisfying sexual event when compared to placebo. Side effects can include flushing, GI upset and spontaneous erection.
Apomorphine can lead to greater activation of the hypothalamus in an area rich in dopamine receptors. It can be combined with Tadalafil in a troche which can be taken 30 minutes before activity in men and women.
Oxytocin has long been known for its role in female reproduction. Recent studies have investigated its role in various behaviors including orgasm, erection, ejaculation as well others such as bonding. It targets erectile tissue such as the corpus cavernous and corpus spongiosum. It can be used intranasally or by troche 30 minutes before activity by men or women.
Melatonin-I can be used 3 days per week by sub-cutaneous injection to improve libido and sex drive. It does cause a visible darkening of the skin.
Arousal Creams is a topical cream that can improve blood flow to the clitorus and improve and enhance orgasms.
The peptides we have listed are just a few of those that are available and many more in various stages of development. This is an area of intense research interest and we hope to bring more in the future.
